$1,400 Stimulus Deadline Twist: Tax Extension Filers Get Another Chance

Published On: November 12, 2025

Tax filing season in the United States is always considered important, but the 2025 season is more crucial than ever for many. This isn’t just about routine tax filing but also the last major opportunity to claim the $1,400 stimulus payment. Millions of Americans may still be eligible for this payment, but if they don’t act quickly, this opportunity could be gone forever in a matter of days.

This payment was issued in 2021 to help address the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, but a significant number of people failed to file their taxes that year. The IRS has now clarified that if these citizens do not file their tax returns by April 15, 2025, the entire amount will revert back to the Treasury. In this article, we will explain in detail what this payment is, who can still claim it, the rules for those who filed extensions, and why the deadline is so important.

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The Full Picture of the 2021 $1,400 Stimulus Payment

The third round of stimulus checks was issued in 2021. The goal was to provide some financial stability to people during the pandemic. The government designated the amount as a Recovery Rebate Credit of $1,400, which was sent directly to eligible citizens’ bank accounts.

However, millions of people missed out on this payment for several reasons:

They did not file a 2021 tax return.
They believed filing wasn’t necessary if they had no income.
Lack of documentation or time constraints.
Lack of knowledge about the tax filing process.

The IRS has also indicated that many people still believe they were not eligible for this payment, when in fact they are and have yet to claim it.

What has the IRS clarified?

In a conversation with Newsweek, an IRS spokesperson stated that the deadline to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit is April 15, 2025. This date is significant because the government allows a three-year window to claim any tax refund in the United States. Even if you’ve filed for a tax extension for 2025, the deadline for claiming the 2021 stimulus payment does not extend with the extension.

Simply put:

The extension is for your 2025 tax return, but you still need to claim the 2021 stimulus payment by the original April 15th deadline.

This is the biggest misconception that the IRS has been trying to clarify repeatedly.

Who is eligible for the $1,400?

The stimulus amount depends on an individual’s 2021 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

If your AGI was $75,000 or less, you are eligible for the full $1,400.
The amount decreases as the AGI increases.
The limits are different for married filers (but the focus here is primarily on individual filers).

Specifically, these people may be eligible for this payment:

Those who did not file taxes in 2021
Those with low or no income
Those who were students, gig workers, or unemployed
Those who didn’t know they needed to file taxes
Those who received Social Security, SSI, or other benefits but did not file an income tax return

The IRS estimates that more than 1.1 million people are still eligible for this amount.

How to claim the $1,400 payment?

Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit is very simple:

1. File your 2021 tax return.

Regardless of income, filing a 2021 return is necessary.

2. Include the credit on your return.

This credit is not automatic; it must be included on your return.

3. You will receive a refund check or direct deposit.

The IRS will use the same banking information on file from your 2024 return.

4. If you already filed your return and missed the credit

You may need to file an amended return.

Why is the deadline so strict?

According to IRS rules:

There is a 3-year limit to claim a tax refund.
The deadline for the 2021 return was in 2022.
The three years expire on April 15, 2025.

After this date:

The refund will go directly back to the Treasury.
There will be no appeals.
There will be no second chances.
No late claims will be accepted.

This is why the IRS is publicizing this so people don’t lose the money.

What changes for people who received an extension?

Those who filed for a tax extension are under the misconception that they have until the end of 2025.

However, the truth is:

The extension is only for 2024 returns.
It does not affect the 2021 stimulus credit.
The deadline for the Recovery Rebate Credit is fixed.

This means that even if you filed for an extension, you must still file your 2021 return before April 15th.

IRS Estimate: A Billion Dollars Await Claimants

The IRS says that a total of over $1 billion in refunds is still available for the public to claim. This money could:

Help unemployed individuals.
Provide relief to student loan borrowers.
Help with expenses such as medical bills, rent, or groceries.

Yet millions of people are unaware that they are still eligible for this payment.

What if you already received a refund?

The IRS has clarified:

Those who already received a refund for 2021
Or have already claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit

Cannot receive it again.

This program is only for those who missed it previously.

What are the consequences of not claiming by April 15th?

If you miss the deadline:

The entire $1,400 will be lost.
The IRS will not issue it.
No appeals, exceptions, or extensions will apply.
Your claim will be permanently closed.

If you filed for an extension and missed the deadline:

You may also be subject to penalties or late filing fees from the IRS.
And you will not receive the stimulus payment.

Conclusion

The 2025 tax season is not just a time for routine tax filing. For millions of Americans, it’s also a last chance to claim the $1,400 stimulus payment they were entitled to during 2021. The IRS has made it clear that April 15, 2025, is the final and strict deadline. Even if you’ve received a tax extension, this deadline doesn’t change. Therefore, it’s crucial to file your 2021 tax return as soon as possible so that this money doesn’t revert back to the Treasury.

Those who miss this opportunity will not be able to claim it later. That’s why the IRS is repeatedly warning the public that this payment is still available, but immediate action is required to receive it.