• The final deadline to claim the $1,400 stimulus check is April 15.
• Approximately 1 million Americans have yet to receive their checks from 2021.
• The Recovery Rebate Credit is refundable, allowing taxpayers to claim it even if they owe nothing.
• Filing a 2021 tax return is essential to claim any missed payments.
• Those with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or less qualify for the full payment.

American taxpayers have until April 15 to file their 2021 tax returns if they want to claim the $1,400 stimulus check through the Recovery Rebate Credit. This deadline also marks the three-year timeline to receive any unclaimed tax refunds or credits for 2021, according to CBS News.

Despite the IRS sending out approximately $2.4 billion in special payments to about 1 million taxpayers back in December 2024, an estimated 1.1 million individuals have not filed their 2021 tax returns and may still be eligible for the $1,400 payment or other tax refunds. The IRS emphasized the need to file a 2021 tax return before the April 15 deadline to avoid missing out on these funds, according to India Times.

Eligibility for the full $1,400 check requires that a taxpayer's adjusted gross income was no more than $75,000 for single filers or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. The Recovery Rebate Credit remains available to those who haven't received one or more Economic Impact Payments during the pandemic. Financial experts have noted that this refundable credit allows taxpayers to get a refund even if they owe no tax, which is a critical aspect for eligible individuals who have not filed yet, according to Newsweek.

If an individual hasn't filed their taxes in 2021 and believes they qualify for the payment, they are encouraged to e-file quickly, as this method is the fastest way to receive their funds. After April 15, any remaining stimulus payments will revert back to the U.S. Treasury, emphasizing the urgency for eligible individuals to act before the deadline, according to CBS News.