Taxpayers who missed out on the 2021 IRS stimulus check are running out of time to claim their refund. With the April 15, 2025 deadline fast approaching, many eligible individuals must act quickly to receive their Recovery Rebate Credit.
According to Newsweek, those who haven’t filed a tax return yet should take immediate steps to ensure they don’t miss this critical opportunity.
The payment, which can be worth up to thousands of dollars, is available only for a limited time, and after the deadline, no further claims will be processed.
Who is Eligible for the Refund?
The Recovery Rebate Credit is available to those who qualify and did not file a 2021 income tax return. To be eligible, taxpayers must have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $75,000 for singles or married individuals filing separately, $112,500 for heads of household, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Payments will be reduced for those with an AGI higher than these limits. Earlier this year, the IRS issued payments to taxpayers who had filed their returns but mistakenly left the Recovery Rebate Credit field blank or entered a $0, despite being eligible.
This measure followed an internal review of IRS data revealing that many eligible taxpayers had not claimed the credit. These payments were issued in late January 2025.
The 2021 stimulus payments were worth up to $1,400 per individual and $2,800 per married couple. Families with eligible dependents could receive up to $5,600 for a family of four.
Time is Running Out
The IRS allows a three-year window to claim refunds, including refundable tax credits and stimulus payments. Since the third round of stimulus checks was tied to the 2021 tax returns, the deadline to claim the credit is April 15, 2025. After this date, taxpayers will lose the opportunity to claim the payment or any other refunds for that year.
Once the April 15, 2025 deadline passes, the IRS will no longer issue refunds for the 2021 tax year. Unfortunately, there are no extensions or grace periods for this specific deadline.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Military personnel serving in combat zones may receive additional time to file their claims.
Additionally, individuals who are facing IRS processing errors or have ongoing disputes with the agency might still have options to claim their refund. In rare cases, legislative changes could potentially extend the filing window.
Additional Insights
The IRS is also aware of the potential complications for taxpayers. If eligible individuals missed out on the stimulus, the Recovery Rebate Credit is their last chance to receive payments, as the IRS has already sent payments to those who filed a return but failed to claim the credit.
In the event that taxpayers miss the deadline, the IRS will not provide any further refunds. The agency has emphasized the finality of the April 15, 2025 cutoff, and there will be no grace period beyond this date. That said, military personnel in combat zones may receive extra time for filing, as per the IRS policy.
This Recovery Rebate Credit applies to eligible individuals who had the right income levels but missed claiming the benefit. The IRS has warned that after the deadline, payments will no longer be issued, and taxpayers will lose the chance for any refunds, including refundable tax credits.
