There are only 30 days left to claim their stimulus checks. Are you eligible?
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The Final 30 Days To Claim Your Stimulus Check If Eligible
For eligible individuals, the deadline to claim your $1,400 stimulus check is only 30 days away. Some Americans may still be eligible to claim the stimulus payment before April 15, 2025, but only if they act fast and file their 2023 tax return in the next 30 days. The IRS has been urging eligible individuals to file their 2023 tax return if they haven’t already received the Recovery Rebate Credit, a refundable credit for individuals who did not receive the last economic impact payments, commonly known as stimulus checks. The RRC allows those who missed the third round of stimulus checks during the pandemic to claim their funds retroactively.
For those who qualify, failing to file in time could mean permanently forfeiting a $1,400 stimulus check that the IRS has earmarked for them. The deadline is fast approaching.
Who Is Still Eligible For The $1,400 Stimulus Check?
If you never filed a 2023 tax return, you could still be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and receive the full $1,400 stimulus check payment (or more if claiming for dependents). Stimulus check eligibility was mainly based on your income, and even if you weren’t required to file taxes in 2023, you could still qualify for the payment if your income met the eligibility criteria.
The IRS has stated that many low-income individuals, seniors, and certain self-employed workers may not have filed a tax return in 2023 because they were not required to and, therefore, could still be owed money. The stimulus check was distributed based on income limits, which meant that individuals earning up to $75,000 per year (or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly) were eligible to receive the full payment.
If your income was higher than these limits, you may have received a reduced payment, and if you made over $80,000 as an individual (or $160,000 as a married couple), you were not eligible for the check. However, many people who didn’t initially receive a payment still qualify—and the IRS is encouraging them to file a 2023 tax return before the impending deadline.
How To Claim Your $1,400 Stimulus Check
If you believe you’re eligible but haven’t filed your 2023 taxes, here’s how you can claim your check:
- File A 2023 Tax Return – The Recovery Rebate Credit is claimed on your 2023 federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR).
- Use The IRS Free File Program – If you earned $73,000 or less, you can file your taxes for free through IRS Free File.
- Check Your Payment Status – Visit the IRS Get My Payment tool to confirm whether you received a stimulus check in 2023.
- Submit Before April 15, 2025 – Your return must be filed before the deadline to qualify for the credit.
According to an agency news release, the IRS automatically paid out $2.4 billion in January to individuals who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit but had filed their 2023 tax returns. However, the IRS has emphasized that there is no automatic payment for those who missed the stimulus check in 2023 because they didn’t file a 2023 tax return. In other words, you must file a tax return to claim it.
If you don’t file in time, the IRS will not issue a check retroactively, and you will lose your chance to claim the $1,400 payment.
Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute To Claim Your Stimulus Check
The IRS warns that filing by April 15 could increase your risk of delays or potential processing issues. Taxpayers who wait until the last minute may face processing delays or filing errors that could impact their ability to claim the stimulus check in time.
Filing early allows more time to fix issues, such as verifying dependent information or correcting incorrect income records. Additionally, the IRS often experiences a backlog of tax returns leading up to the filing deadline, which could delay payments even for those who file on time. If you think you might qualify but are unsure how to proceed, contact the IRS or a tax professional immediately to avoid missing out on the $1,400 stimulus check.
If you do need to file, it behooves you to file electronically and triple-check everything on your return. Given the recent layoffs and tumult at the IRS, submitting accurate, electronic returns is the most effective way to avoid delays. The IRS maintains that those filing electronically with direct deposit should receive refunds in less than 21 days. However, missing or incomplete information and discrepancies in personal details can trigger additional scrutiny—a process that, with a reduced workforce, might extend processing times significantly.
Stimulus Check Conclusion: File Soon Or Risk Losing Your Rebate
With just 30 days left to claim the $1,400 stimulus check, time is running out for those who didn’t file a 2023 tax return. The IRS has clarified that there will be no extensions or automatic payments for those who miss the April 15, 2025 deadline. If you believe you are eligible, do not wait—this is your last chance to claim the stimulus payment before it’s too late.