The US government issued stimulus checks of up to $1400 to millions of citizens in 2021 as part of the COVID-19 relief package. However, many people are still unable to claim this money. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has given such citizens time till April 15, 2025, to get this amount by filing their 2021 tax returns.
But if no claim is made by this date, this amount will be handed over to the US Treasury forever and you will never be able to get it back. In this article, we will tell you who is eligible for this refund, what will happen after the last date, and whether any exceptions exist.
IRS $1400 Stimulus Check Claim Deadline
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stimulus Amount | Up to $1400 per eligible individual |
| Claim Deadline | April 15, 2025 |
| Who is Eligible? | U.S. citizens/residents with SSN/ITIN, income under $150,000 (joint), and no prior claim for the 2021 stimulus |
| How to Claim? | File a 2021 tax return using Form 1040 before the deadline |
| What Happens if You Miss the Deadline? | You lose the payment permanently as it goes to the U.S. Treasury |
| Exceptions to the Deadline? | Limited cases, such as military personnel in combat zones or IRS processing errors |
| Can You Claim After April 15, 2025? | No, unless a legislative extension is granted |
Who is eligible for a $1400 IRS refund?
If you have not yet filed your 2021 tax return, you can still get this stimulus check. But for this, some important conditions have to be met:
- Your tax return for 2021 has not been filed.
- Your annual income (for couples filing jointly) is less than $150,000.
- Your stimulus check has not already been claimed.
- You are a US citizen or legal resident and have an SSN or ITIN.
- You may have eligible credits such as EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) or CTC (Child Tax Credit).
- You must fill out Form 1040 and submit it to the IRS.
If you meet these conditions, then you are eligible to claim this refund.
What happens if you miss the last date?
The IRS has made it clear that no person will be able to claim this money after April 15, 2025. If one does not file the 2021 tax return on time, the $1400 stimulus check or any other 2021 tax refund will be completely forfeited and sent to the US Treasury as ‘unclaimed money.’
Simply put, if you do not file the return on time, this money will be lost forever.
Can one apply for this check after April 15?
No. The IRS has made it clear that no additional deadline or grace period will be given. However, there may be exceptions in certain circumstances:
- Military Personnel:
- If a person was serving in a combat zone, he may get some additional time.
- IRS Processing Errors or Disputes:
- If a person had already applied for this refund but it was not processed due to an IRS error, they may get additional time.
- Legislative Changes:
- If a new law is passed in the future that extends this deadline, some people may benefit.
However, very few people get the benefit of exceptions in these cases. Therefore, all eligible citizens should file their 2021 tax returns as soon as possible.
How to claim $1400 from the IRS?
If you are eligible for this refund, the process of claiming it is very simple:
- Fill Form 1040:
- This is the basic form for filing a tax return.
- Visit the IRS website:
- Log in to the official website (www.irs.gov).
- File your 2021 tax return:
- You can submit this online, by mail, or through a tax filing agent.
- Get your refund:
- If you are eligible, you will receive a $1400 stimulus check.
Conclusion: Claim it on time!
The IRS has made it clear that no one will be able to claim this stimulus check after April 15, 2025. If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return yet, you should do it as soon as possible.
If you are eligible and don’t apply on time, this money will be lost forever. So don’t delay and start your filing process today!
FAQs
Q. Who is eligible for the $1400 IRS stimulus check?
A. Anyone who hasn’t filed a 2021 tax return and meets income and residency requirements can claim it.
Q. What is the deadline to claim the stimulus check?
A. The deadline is April 15, 2025. After this date, unclaimed funds go to the U.S. Treasury.
Q. Can I still get the check after April 15, 2025?
A. No. The IRS will not issue payments after the deadline, except in rare cases like military service extensions.
Q. How do I claim the $1400 payment?
A. File a 2021 tax return using Form 1040 through the IRS website, mail, or a tax professional.
Q. What happens if I miss the deadline?
A. You lose the payment permanently as it will be transferred to the U.S. Treasury.