$1,400 Stimulus Check IRS Payment: Here's Who's Still Eligible
Still missing your $1,400 stimulus check? Find out who qualifies for the IRS payment and what the ... More eligibility criteria are.
Time is almost up to claim a missing $1,400 stimulus check from 2021. Millions of Americans received this third-round Economic Impact Payment under the American Rescue Plan, but some eligible people never received their money. The IRS estimates about 1.1 million taxpayers have unclaimed 2021 refunds – including missed stimulus checks – worth around $1 billion. As I noted in a previous Forbes post, April 15, 2025, is the final deadline to file a 2021 tax return and get any unpaid pandemic relief before it's forfeited to the U.S. Treasury. Some may be wondering if they are eligible for the $1,400 payment.
Below is a detailed breakdown of who may qualify for the $1,400 rebate; however, in short, you may be eligible if you meet two conditions. First, you qualified for the $1,400 third stimulus check back in 2021. Second, you have not yet received the payment either as a stimulus check, a payment from the IRS, or a credit on your taxes.
The third stimulus check, which was officially known as the third Economic Impact Payment, provided up to $1,400 per person in 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act determined eligibility rules using income and other criteria:
Stimulus Check Income Limits: Individuals who filed as single (or married filing separately) qualified for the full $1,400 with adjusted gross income up to $75,000. Married couples filing jointly were eligible with AGI up to $150,000, and heads of household up to $112,500. Above those levels, the payment phased out quickly: singles received no stimulus if income reached $80,000, heads of household at $120,000, and joint filers at $160,000. For example, a single filer with $77,000 AGI would get a partial check, while one with $85,000 received nothing.
Citizenship/Residency: To qualify, you had to be a U.S. citizen or resident alien in 2021. Nonresident aliens were not eligible.
Social Security Number: Generally, you (and your spouse if filing jointly) need a valid Social Security Number. Dependents claimed for the stimulus also required a valid SSN or an Adoption Taxpayer ID Number. (Notably, if one spouse didn't have an SSN, the other spouse could still get their $1,400 if they had one, and any qualifying children with SSNs or ATINs could get $1,400 each).
Not a Dependent: You cannot have been claimed as someone else's dependent on a 2021 tax return. This meant college students or adult dependents did not get their $1,400 check if a parent or someone claimed them. Instead, the taxpayer claiming them would get the $1,400 for that dependent.
Eligible Dependents: All qualifying dependents were covered. Each dependent of an eligible taxpayer was worth another $1,400 in the third stimulus, regardless of age. For example, a family of four (two parents, two kids) could receive $5,600 if within income limits. Newborns or new dependents in 2021 also qualified for $1,400, but only if you claimed them on a 2021 tax return.
In short, most Americans under the income caps, with an SSN, and not claimed as a dependent qualified for the $1,400 stimulus. This included retirees, veterans, unemployed individuals, and others; even if you had little or no income, you were eligible as long as you met the criteria (this is different from the potential DOGE dividend checks that have been discussed the past few months, where income and tax return filing were potential eligibility criteria).
However, there is a difference between being ineligible and simply not receiving a payment despite being eligible. Many Americans qualified but never got the money initially, often due to not filing tax returns or other overlooked issues.
Even if you met the eligibility rules, you might have missed the automatic payment in 2021. Why did that happen? A few common reasons:
You Never Filed a 2020 or 2021 Tax Return: The IRS mostly relied on tax returns (2019 or 2020 filings) to send out third-round checks. If you didn't file a 2020 or 2021 tax return and weren't receiving federal benefits (like Social Security) that the IRS could use as a reference, the IRS may not have had your information on file. Many low-income individuals, veterans, or others not required to file taxes were overlooked. These folks were eligible, but the IRS had no address or bank info to send the money. They could claim it later via a tax return (as a credit), but not everyone realized that. Individuals in this group may be the most likely to be eligible for the $1,400 stimulus check payment.
Income or Family Changes in 2021: The third stimulus was initially calculated using prior data. If your 2021 income dropped below the threshold (making you eligible) but your 2020 income was too high, you wouldn't have gotten the payment automatically. Or if you had a baby or added a dependent in 2021, the IRS didn't know to send that extra $1,400 for the new family member. In these cases, you became eligible based on 2021 info, but you'd only get the money by claiming the credit on a 2021 tax return.
Mistakes or Missed Fields on Tax Return: Surprisingly, about 1 million taxpayers who did file 2021 tax returns failed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit even though they were eligible. They may have left the credit line blank or entered $0 by mistake. The IRS discovered this error in its reviews. Rather than making everyone file amended returns, the IRS announced in late 2024 that it would automatically send payments (up to $1,400) to those 1 million taxpayers who overlooked the credit. Those correction payments, totaling $2.4 billion, were issued by check or direct deposit in December 2024 and January 2025. If you were in that group, you might have already received your missing money by early 2025 without taking further action. If that is the case, you are likely not eligible for an additional payment.
Payment Delivery Issues: Sometimes, the IRS sent a stimulus check that got lost, returned, or not cashed. For example, if you changed addresses or bank accounts and the payment didn't reach you or was misdirected, you might not have received it. That money could still be claimed via the tax credit if the IRS shows you never cashed the check.
If you qualified but didn't get the $1,400 stimulus check in 2021, the government set up a fail-safe in the form of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. It's essentially a tax credit equal to any stimulus amount you were entitled to but didn't receive. Eligible people who missed out initially can still get their money. Claiming the $1,400 now requires filing (or amending) a 2021 tax return to include the Recovery Rebate Credit. You need to act fast because the deadline of April 15 is fast approaching.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Most Americans Can't Cover A $2,000 Emergency As Inflation Keeps Eating Their Paychecks, Survey Shows
More than half of U.S. adults could not pay a $2,000 emergency bill from savings, the Federal Reserve's latest survey data shows, shining a light on the fragility of family finances despite a strong labor market. What Happened: According to the survey of Household Economics and Decision-Making, only 48% said they would cover the expense with cash on hand. The rest would borrow, cut spending, or simply default. Inflation tops the list of worries for the third straight year. 37% of respondents called rising prices their main financial challenge, up from 35% last year and four times the 2016 level. Separate Bankrate polling finds just 44% of households have enough savings to handle a $1,000 shock, a share that's barely changed since 2022. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share. Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal: Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold. Savings gaps stretch wide. 18% of adults keep less than $100 set aside, 13% hold between $100 and $499, and another 10% sit in the $500-to-$999 range. Fed researchers say those figures mirror the 62% who still live paycheck to paycheck, a proportion LendingClub confirms in data from late 2023. Why It Matters: Economists warn that the thin cushions leave households vulnerable to even modest setbacks. Personal-finance nonprofit NEFE notes growing support for mandatory high-school money courses after studies link class-takers to higher emergency funds and lower late fees. Twenty-three states now require the instruction, up from 17 before the pandemic. Policymakers see mixed signals. The Fed report shows 55% of adults have rainy-day savings equal to three months of expenses, yet that share trails the 59% peak hit in 2021. With prices still climbing at 3% annually, CFPB data show late-payment rates on credit cards and auto loans are at their highest in years. New York Times best-selling author Ramit Sethi, who also hosts Netflix's new show 'How to Get Rich,' urges families to automate transfers into high-yield accounts and aim for at least one month of expenses before tackling larger goals. Read Next: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you? Tax deferring is their number one strategy. Bezos' Favorite Real Estate Platform Launches A Way To Ride The Ongoing Private Credit Boom Image via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Most Americans Can't Cover A $2,000 Emergency As Inflation Keeps Eating Their Paychecks, Survey Shows originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Americans just wiped out $48B in credit card debt: Here's how
HONOLULU (KHON2) — In early 2025, Americans made significant progress in reducing their credit card debt. According to a new report, during the first quarter of 2025, consumers in the United States paid off approximately $48 billion in credit card debt. This brought the total national credit card debt down to about $1.29 trillion, which is $206 billion below the all-time high recorded in 2007. The average credit card debt per household stood at $10,767 at the end of Q1 2025. This figure is $2,156 less than the record set in 2007, indicating that households are managing their credit card balances more effectively. Several factors contributed to this decrease:Higher interest rates: Credit card interest rates exceeded 20% annually, making borrowing more expensive. This likely encouraged consumers to pay down their balances to avoid high finance charges. Increased consumer awareness: There has been a growing awareness about the importance of managing personal finances, leading more people to budget carefully and reduce unnecessary spending. Economic factors: Changes in the economy, such as inflation and shifts in employment, may have prompted consumers to be more cautious with their credit card usage. It's important to note that while the overall debt decreased, the charge-off rate — which represents debts that credit card companies consider unlikely to be repaid — increased by 4.24% during Q1 2025 and reached 4.67%. You can click here to read the full report. The early part of 2025 saw Americans taking meaningful steps to reduce their credit card debt, and this was influenced by higher interest rates and a heightened focus on financial health. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 However, the rise in charge-off rates suggests that some consumers still face challenges in managing their debt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Trump hails $1K-per-child ‘Trump Accounts' during White House roundtable
(NEXSTAR) – On Monday, President Trump promoted the so-called 'Trump Accounts' during a roundtable meeting with lawmakers and business leaders, including the CEOs of Dell, Uber and Goldman Sachs, among others. Related video above: Trump and Musk feud continues over 'big, beautiful bill' 'This is a pro-family initiative that will help millions of Americans harness the strength of our economy to lift up the next generation,' Trump said at the meeting. 'They'll really be getting a big jump on life, especially if we get a little bit lucky with some of the numbers and the economy.' The proposal, part of Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' would create tax-deferred investment accounts for infants that start with $1,000 per child. Once the child reaches age 18, they would be able to take out money to put toward a down payment for a home, education or to start a small business. If the money is used for other purposes, it'll be taxed at a higher rate. Dell CEO Michael Dell called the proposed accounts a 'simple yet powerful way to transform lives' Monday. Dell and the other assembled CEOs were expected to earmark billions of dollars to be invested in the Trump Accounts for their employees' children. 'Decades of research has shown that giving children a financial head start profoundly impacts their long-term success,' Dell said, according to the White House. 'With these accounts, children will be much more likely to graduate from college, to start a business, to buy a home, and achieve lifelong financial stability.' In order to qualify for one of the accounts, the child must have at least one parent with a Social Security number with work authorizations, meaning that some babies born in the U.S. to immigrant parents might not qualify. The money will be invested in an index fund where it will grow until the child reaches 18 and can withdraw funds to buy a home, pay for education or start a small business. Money spent on other things would be taxed at a higher rate. Families, guardians and private entities will be able to deposit up to $5,000 more per year. While the investment would be symbolically meaningful, it's a relatively small financial commitment to addressing child poverty in the wider $7 trillion federal budget. Assuming a 7% return, the $1,000 would grow to roughly $3,570 over 18 years. It builds on the concept of 'baby bonds,' which two states — California and Connecticut — and the District of Columbia have introduced as a way to reduce gaps between wealthy people and poor people. Economist Darrick Hamilton of The New School, who first pitched the idea of baby bonds a quarter-century ago, said the GOP proposal would exacerbate rather than reduce wealth gaps. When he dreamed up baby bonds, he envisioned a program that would be universal but would give children from poor families a larger endowment than their wealthier peers, in an attempt to level the playing field. The money would be handled by the government, not by private firms on Wall Street. 'It is upside down,' Hamilton said. 'It's going to enhance inequality.' Hamilton added that $1,000 — even with interest — would not be enough to make a significant difference for a child living in poverty. A Silicon Valley investor who created the blueprint for the proposal, Brad Gerstner, said in an interview with CNBC last year that the accounts could help address the wealth gap and the loss of faith in capitalism that represent an existential crisis for the U.S. 'The rise and fall of nations occurs when you have a wealth gap that grows, when you have people who lose faith in the system,' Gerstner said. 'We're not agentless. We can do something.' The Associated Press contributed to this report.
