IRS $1,400 Stimulus Check: Deadline Nears for Over 1 Million Americans

IRS $1,400 Stimulus Check: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently made an important announcement that could bring relief to millions of Americans. If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return yet, you may be missing out on the $1,400 stimulus money you could have received. This payment falls under the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) and was approved under the American Rescue Plan of 2021. The IRS estimates that more than 1 million people are still eligible for this amount but have not yet claimed it.

Why does this amount matter?

The US government released several relief packages for economic support during the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount of $1,400 was part of the third round of Economic Impact Payments that was rolled out in 2021. Although most eligible citizens received this payment automatically, there are millions who did not receive it — and the main reasons behind this are mistakes in filing, confusion or lack of awareness.

Many seniors or low-income individuals who receive income only from Social Security or other non-taxable sources assumed they didn’t need to file a tax return — and therefore didn’t claim the RRC.

What is the situation according to the IRS?

The IRS recently reported that they have identified about 1 million people whose 2021 tax returns had the Recovery Rebate Credit column either left blank or had $0 written in it. In these cases, automatic payments are being sent out, either via mail or direct deposit. The maximum amount can be $1,400, but the actual amount depends on the person’s situation.

The IRS is also saying that these payments are accompanied by a clear letter explaining what this payment is about.

But if you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return yet, you won’t get this payment. For this, it is mandatory for you to file a tax return before April 15, 2025.

Who can get the $1,400 Stimulus Check?

The IRS says that this credit is also available to those who had very low or zero income in 2021. This means that people who do not usually file tax returns can also be eligible for this payment. There are some conditions for this:

• You must have a valid Social Security number.
• You should not be listed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
• You must file a 2021 tax return.

Also, when you file a 2021 tax return, you may also be eligible for other benefits such as

• Child Tax Credit
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Claiming all these together can get you a substantial refund amount.

How to get help from the IRS?

If you need help filing your tax return or understanding your eligibility, the IRS also offers Taxpayer Assistance Centers. You can visit these centers to get personalized assistance. Appointments can be booked through the IRS website.

In addition, the IRS website also offers free filing options for some taxpayers — especially those with lower incomes.

Experts say

“The IRS is constantly trying to go the extra mile to help taxpayers. When we reviewed internal data, we found that nearly 1 million taxpayers mistakenly did not claim this credit even though they were eligible,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.

Financial literacy expert Alex Bean says, “People may wonder why they are getting a 2021 stimulus check in 2025, but it is only for those who accidentally did not claim it. It is like ‘free money’ and a relief for people who have faced financial difficulties in the past years.”

Lisa Perkins of the University of Connecticut said, “Today, when inflation and cost of living are rising again, this amount of $1,400 means a lot to needy families — especially those who are struggling with food security.”

Finance expert Kevin Thompson said, “This money will not affect the larger economy, but it will be beneficial to those who are paying off debt or struggling on an individual basis.”

What’s next?

After April 15, 2025, no one will be able to file a 2021 tax return and this amount of $1,400 will be lost forever. This is one last chance — especially for those who were financially affected during the pandemic but were unable to avail themselves of this assistance then.

If you are reading this and you think you did not file a tax return in 2021 — do not delay now. Visit the IRS website, check your eligibility, prepare the necessary documents and file them on time.

Conclusion

This stimulus amount of $1,400 can be a big relief for you — whether you are a student, a senior citizen or from the low-income group. This move by the IRS is an attempt to provide relief to millions of people who were inadvertently deprived of this benefit. But now time is short — file the return before April 15, 2025 and claim your money.

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