According to the IRS, over 1.1 million Americans remain eligible for a pandemic-era stimulus check.
Published Tue, Mar 18 2025
While most Covid-era tax incentives have expired, the IRS has issued a reminder that you could still receive the Recovery Rebate Credit—worth up to $1,400—if you didn’t file a federal return in 2021. The agency is automatically sending payments to eligible taxpayers, but time is running out. The deadline to receive any credits or refunds from 2021 is April 15, 2025.
Payments are being issued via paper checks or direct deposits based on banking information from 2023 tax returns. These payments represent the final round of stimulus checks distributed during the pandemic. The amount depends on your adjusted gross income (AGI) and phases out at higher income levels.
- Single filers qualify for the full $1,400 if their 2021 AGI was $75,000 or less, with the credit completely phasing out at $80,000.
- Married couples filing jointly can receive $2,800 if their combined AGI was $150,000 or less, with the credit phasing out entirely at $160,000.
- Dependents can receive up to $1,400, regardless of age, with the same phase-out limits.
The IRS typically only allows you to claim a refund or credit within three years, meaning Tax Day 2025 is your last opportunity to claim the payment if you're owed one. This includes individuals who were eligible for the credit but didn’t file a return, or who left the relevant field blank.
According to the IRS, over 1.1 million Americans have unclaimed refunds from 2021, totaling over $1 billion. These are mainly taxpayers who haven’t filed their Form 1040 for that year, and the filing deadline is fast approaching.