During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government gave out three rounds of stimulus payments to help people manage their financial struggles. The last of these payments was the $1,400 check that came under the American Rescue Plan in March 2021. This support helped families pay bills, buy essentials, and handle job losses or reduced income.
But now, the time to claim any missed stimulus payments is officially over. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) closed the window to file for these payments on April 15, 2025, and no further claims will be accepted.
What Was the $1,400 Stimulus Check?
The $1,400 stimulus check was part of a relief plan passed in March 2021. It was the third and final round of payments after the earlier $1,200 (2020) and $600 (late 2020) checks. The goal was to help people and families recover financially from the pandemic.
If a household met the income and dependent requirements, the total amount could go up to $5,600 per family. In total, the government spent about $814 billion across all three rounds of stimulus.
Who Was Eligible for the Full $1,400?
To get the full $1,400, your income had to be:
Up to $75,000 for individuals
Up to $150,000 for married couples
If you had dependents under age 17, you could get extra money per child or family member.
The payments decreased for people earning more than the limit and completely stopped at $80,000 (individuals) and $160,000 (couples).
IRS Closes Claims Window on April 15, 2025
Even if you missed your payment in 2021, the IRS gave people time to claim it through something called the Recovery Rebate Credit. This was possible by filing your 2021 tax return, even if you had low or no income.
But as of April 15, 2025, that window is now closed. Any unclaimed money is now considered forfeited and belongs to the U.S. Treasury. The IRS has made it clear—there are no exceptions and no appeals allowed under the law.
$2.4 Billion Was Sent Out Automatically
In December 2024, the IRS found that about 1 million taxpayers had filed their 2021 returns but did not claim the credit properly. These people had blank or $0 values in the credit fields.
To fix this, the IRS started sending out $2.4 billion in payments automatically in January 2025, using the latest bank account or mailing details from the 2023 tax returns.
This was the last major effort to make sure people got the money they were due—if they had filed taxes.
No Filing, No Payment
If someone did not file a tax return for 2021, even if they had no taxable income, they missed their chance. Many people, especially those not required to file taxes, did not realize they still needed to file in order to claim the payment.
Experts say lack of awareness and confusion about eligibility led to thousands missing out on the stimulus check. Unfortunately, the IRS will not reopen this process or allow late claims.
Any Exceptions?
Very few people could get more time. These include military personnel in combat zones, who may still have a chance depending on their special status. But for the general public, the April 15, 2025 deadline was final.
Even if someone had made a mistake in their original filing, they had until the same date to fix it using Form 1040-X (an amendment form). After that, no corrections or new claims can be made.
Watch Out for Scams
The IRS sent official forms like Form 1444-C and Letter 6475 to inform people about their stimulus payments. But they also warned about fake calls, messages, or emails offering fake stimulus checks. The IRS reminds everyone that only official tax forms can be used to manage these claims.
The final chance to claim the $1,400 stimulus payment officially ended on April 15, 2025. If you didn’t file your 2021 taxes or missed correcting errors before this date, the money can no longer be claimed. This marks the end of one of the largest financial support programs in U.S. history, with over $814 billion distributed across three payments.
Although the government made efforts to reach everyone, many people missed out due to lack of awareness or late filing. Moving forward, it’s important to stay updated on tax benefits and government schemes to avoid missing future opportunities.
