$1,400 Stimulus Payment: Can You Still Claim It If You Got a Tax Extension from the IRS?

The IRS has extended a tax extension in the U.S., potentially allowing over one million eligible individuals to receive a $1,400 stimulus check.

(Credit: Pexels)

Tax Extension from IRS: Even though many Americans can still file for a tax extension in 2025, a lot of them could miss out on getting a $1,400 stimulus check if they wait too long. This check is part of the Recovery Rebate Credit that the government created during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people deal with tough economic times.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has said that over one million people in the U.S. may still qualify for the payment but haven’t claimed it yet because they didn’t file their 2021 taxes.

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Back in 2021, the government sent out stimulus payments to support people during the pandemic. But millions didn’t get that money simply because they didn’t file a tax return for that year. Now, there’s still a chance to receive it but not for much longer.

A spokesperson for the IRS told Newsweek that, “April 15 is the deadline for all Americans to apply for their 2021 stimulus payment.” After that date, the money will be sent back to the U.S. Treasury, and people will lose the chance to claim it. That’s because April 15 marks the federal three-year limit to get any unpaid tax refunds.

Tax Extension from IRS: Eligibility

To be eligible for the full $1,400 credit:

You must not have received the third stimulus payment in 2021
You must file a 2021 tax return, even if you weren’t otherwise required to
Your adjusted gross income (AGI) in 2021 must have been:
- $75,000 or less for individuals
- $112,500 or less for heads of household
- $150,000 or less for married couples filing jointly

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How to claim the $1,400 stimulus payment?

Still haven’t filed your 2021 return? Here’s what to do:

Download the 2021 tax return forms from the IRS website
Fill out the 1040 form and include the Recovery Rebate Credit
Mail it to the IRS or use certified e-filing software that allows past-year returns
Make sure your banking information is up to date if you want a direct deposit
File before April 15, 2025—no exceptions

The IRS expects that more than 1.1 million people could still receive payments, which could add up to over $1 billion in total. The $1,400 stimulus is meant for people whose adjusted gross income in 2021 was $75,000 or less.

People who file before the deadline will get their money either through a paper check or directly in their bank account, using the same banking details they gave when filing their 2024 tax returns. However, anyone who already got this refund in earlier years won’t be able to get it again.

Farheen Ashraf

Farheen Ashraf is a content writer and editor at Eduvast, where she has been contributing since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History and has developed extensive experience in researching, writing, and editing content across a wide range of subjects. Over the years, Farheen has written on business, entertainment, law, travel, lifestyle, education, culture, poetry, and human-interest topics. Her work focuses on transforming complex information into clear, accurate, and reader-friendly content that helps audiences make informed decisions. At Eduvast, she works closely with the editorial team to ensure content quality, factual accuracy, and adherence to editorial standards. Her passion for storytelling and research continues to drive her exploration of diverse subjects and emerging trends.