The $1,400 stimulus check that was part of the American Rescue Plan in March 2021 marked the final round of federal COVID-19 relief payments. While it helped millions of Americans during the pandemic, the window to claim this benefit has officially closed. The IRS set April 15, 2025, as the last day to recover missed payments through the Recovery Rebate Credit.
If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return or failed to claim the credit, the opportunity to receive the payment is now gone. Unclaimed funds have been returned to the U.S. Treasury, and there is no option to appeal or reopen your case.
A Quick Look at the 2021 Stimulus Payment
Under the American Rescue Plan, eligible individuals received $1,400 each, with a maximum of $5,600 per household, depending on income and the number of dependents. The payments were aimed at helping families manage financial hardships caused by the pandemic.
In total, the program distributed around $814 billion across the U.S., offering critical support between 2020 and 2021. There were three stimulus rounds:
- $1,200 in 2020 (CARES Act)
- $600 in December 2020
- $1,400 in March 2021
Most people received the payment automatically, but many missed out due to not filing their taxes or misunderstanding the process.
$2.4 Billion Sent Automatically in 2025 to Some Late Filers
In December 2024, the IRS started a review of unclaimed stimulus funds. As a result, nearly 1 million taxpayers who had filed 2021 returns but left the Recovery Rebate Credit blank or marked it as $0, received their stimulus money automatically.
By January 2025, the IRS had distributed $2.4 billion to these individuals. Payments were sent either through Direct Deposit using bank details from 2023 returns or via physical checks.
However, anyone who did not file a 2021 tax return at all, even if their income was non-taxable, missed their chance to receive the stimulus.
Final Deadline: April 15, 2025 – No Exceptions
The IRS clearly stated that April 15, 2025, was the final deadline to:
- File a 2021 return to claim the stimulus
- Amend a return using Form 1040-X if there were errors
After this date, no claims, corrections, or legal actions are allowed—even in cases of honest mistakes or confusion.
Some special groups like military personnel in active combat zones may still qualify for limited extensions, but no new general exceptions have been announced.
Income Limits and Eligibility
To receive the full stimulus check, individuals needed to have:
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) under $75,000 (for individuals) or $150,000 (for couples)
- Payments phased out completely at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for couples
- Additional payments were given for each dependent under 17 or qualifying relatives
Important Reminders from the IRS
The IRS used Form 1444-C and Letter 6475 to notify taxpayers of the payments. They also warned about scams—reminding the public that real claims were only handled through official IRS channels, not through phone calls or emails.
If your return had credit errors, you could correct it until April 15, 2025. After that, even amendments won’t be accepted.