More than a million Americans may have missed out on the third round of COVID-19 stimulus payments, and the IRS is working to get that money into the right hands. But with a deadline looming, time is running out to claim the $1,400 credit.

What Is The $1,400 Stimulus Check?

The third round of stimulus checks—part of the American Rescue Plan passed in March 2021—provided up to $1,400 per eligible adult, plus $1,400 for each dependent. Most people received the payment automatically via direct deposit, check or prepaid debit card.

If you didn’t receive the full amount, you can still claim it by filing your 2021 tax return and applying for the Recovery Rebate Credit.

Why Some Americans Never Got The Full Stimulus

Millions of payments were successfully distributed, but not everyone received what they were owed.

Some eligible individuals didn’t file a 2021 tax return, which was required to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if they missed the third stimulus payment. Others did file but didn’t claim the credit, often because they were unaware or mistakenly believed they didn’t qualify.

The IRS later identified more than a million such cases and, in early 2024, began issuing automatic payments to those who had filed but didn’t claim the credit—no additional paperwork required.

How To Check If You’re Eligible

To qualify for the full $1,400 payment:

• Single filers must have had an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less
• Married couples filing jointly must have had an AGI of $150,000 or less
• Heads of household could earn up to $112,500

Payments begin to phase out above those thresholds and are completely phased out at:

• $80,000 for single filers
• $160,000 for married couples filing jointly
• $120,000 for heads of household

To qualify, you also needed to:

• Have a valid Social Security number, and
• Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return

If you had dependents in 2021, you could also be eligible for an additional $1,400 per child or qualifying dependent.

How To Claim It Before The Deadline

If you never received the third stimulus and haven’t filed your 2021 tax return, you still have time, but not much.

The IRS allows taxpayers three years from the original filing deadline to submit returns and receive a refund. That means you have until April 15, 2025, to file a 2021 return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

Here’s how:

1. File a 2021 federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR)
2. Enter the Recovery Rebate Credit on Line 30
3. Use free filing tools or work with a tax professional to make sure the form is filled out correctly

If you already filed in 2021 but didn’t claim the credit—and are eligible—the IRS may issue your payment automatically.

What Happens If You Miss The Deadline?

If you don’t file your 2021 return by the April 15 deadline, the IRS says you’ll lose the ability to claim the credit altogether. There is no extension beyond the three-year window.

That means even if you were legally entitled to the money, it becomes permanently unavailable after that date.

Who’s Most Likely To Miss Out

The people most at risk of missing the stimulus include:

• Low-income individuals who weren’t required to file taxes
• Older adults and retirees on fixed incomes
• College students or younger adults who may not have realized they were eligible
• Non-English speakers or those with limited internet access
• People experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity

The IRS said it is trying to reach as many eligible people as possible, but some may still fall through the cracks.