No, you generally cannot still claim stimulus checks (Economic Impact Payments) as the deadlines to claim them via the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 and 2021 tax returns have passed (April 15, 2025, for the third payment and May 17, 2024, for the first/second payments). The IRS has issued all payments, so your only option was to file those past tax returns by the deadlines, which are now expired.
Yes, it is too late to claim any COVID-19 stimulus money, as the final deadline to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (the third stimulus payment) passed on April 15, 2025, and earlier deadlines for the first two payments also expired. The IRS only allows a three-year window to file for refunds and credits, meaning you can no longer claim these missed payments by filing old tax returns.
Qualification for the $1,400 stimulus check (the third Economic Impact Payment) in 2021 depended on your 2021 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and filing status, with full amounts for single filers earning up to $75,000 (phasing out at $80,000) and joint filers up to $150,000 (phasing out at $160,000), plus $1,400 per dependent; you needed a valid Social Security Number and had to claim it as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return if you missed the payment, with deadlines typically in April 2025.
Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)
If you did not receive the first or second Economic Impact Payment, or received a partial payment, you can still claim your full amount. According to the IRS, you should file a 2020 tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
You can qualify for a stimulus payment even if you don't work or have earned income. Usually, married couples qualify to receive a $2,400 stimulus payment, while individuals normally qualify to get $1,200. People with qualifying children under age 17 can get up to an additional $500 for each child.
Historical content – the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit
The deadline to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for the first and second stimulus checks was May 17, 2024. While you can no longer claim these payments, below describes who may have needed to file to get these stimulus checks.
Your family income must be under 200% of the federal poverty level. For a own family of four, that's kind of $62,400 consistent with year. Applications closed in advance in 2025, and only 200 households were picked via a random lottery. You also can't be enrolled in every other guaranteed income program.
Any family member that has a Social Security number ( SSN ) or dependent (regardless of age) can qualify for the third stimulus check. For example, in a household where both parents have ITINs, and their children have SSNs, the children qualify for stimulus checks, even though the parents don't.
The IRS is sending out stimulus checks to taxpayers who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return.
If you are on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a railroad retiree, or are receiving Social Security survivor benefits, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will use the information on your annual Social Security Administration form to distribute the check.
Stimulus checks were sent out back in 2020 as part of COVID relief. In 2021, the Recovery Rebate Credit was available to claim on your return if you didn't receive your stimulus checks. Both of those initiatives have ended.
April 15th is Tax Day for 2024 returns but it also marks a three-year deadline to claim any tax refunds or in this case, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for that year — 2021.
The IRS Fresh Start Program 2026 is a federal tax relief programdesigned to help individuals and small businesses resolve back taxes. It offers structured options like installment agreements, penalty relief, and Offers in Compromise.
The eligibility for seniors typically aligns with broader criteria set for the general population, but there are specific considerations, such as income levels, tax filing status, and dependency status, that determine whether a senior is qualified to receive a payment.
Please note: If you didn't receive the first or second stimulus payments, even though you're eligible based on your income, you need to file or amend your Tax Year 2020 returns to receive those payments. Learn more about your options if you need to amend your taxes on the IRS page.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR A STIMULUS CHECK? You will get $1,200 if you are single and earn less than $75,000 before taxes.
As the pandemic continues, a third stimulus check has been approved by the IRS and distribution is underway. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you will automatically qualify for the third stimulus check which will be in the amount $1400.
You don't need to do anything to get your stimulus check. The IRS will determine eligibility based on the last tax return that you filed, either 2019 or 2020, and will likely send your payment to the bank account where your tax refund was deposited.
Yes, it is too late to claim any COVID-19 stimulus money, as the final deadline to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (the third stimulus payment) passed on April 15, 2025, and earlier deadlines for the first two payments also expired. The IRS only allows a three-year window to file for refunds and credits, meaning you can no longer claim these missed payments by filing old tax returns.
No, the IRS is not currently sending out new $1400 stimulus checks in 2026, but they did wrap up sending out final automatic payments for unclaimed 2021 Recovery Rebate Credits in late 2024/early 2025, with the deadline to claim these missed payments passing on April 15, 2025; new checks would require new Congressional action, and any texts about current stimulus payments are scams, say FOX 5 DC, CNBC, and IRS.gov.
To check if you're owed a past stimulus payment, use the IRS.gov website to access your online account and view payment records, or if you missed a payment, see if you're eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return, as the "Get My Payment" tool is no longer active for checking status, but the IRS has issued all primary payments.