$1,400 Stimulus Payment: Can You Still Claim It If You Filed a Tax Extension?

If you're one of the millions of Americans who requested an IRS tax extension in 2025, you might be wondering: Can I still claim the $1,400 stimulus check tied to my 2021 return?

The answer is crucial—and time-sensitive. While extensions allow more time to file, they do not extend the deadline to claim certain tax credits, including the Recovery Rebate Credit that covers the $1,400 stimulus.

The IRS Deadline to claim the 2021 Stimulus Was April 15, 2025

Although many taxpayers were eligible for an extension this year, the Recovery Rebate Credit tied to the 2021 pandemic stimulus had a firm three-year deadline from the original filing date.

That means April 15, 2025, was the last day to submit a 2021 return and still qualify for the stimulus. You may also check this FAQ list.

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Even if you filed an extension to submit your taxes later in the year, you must have filed your 2021 return by April 15 to claim the stimulus.

If not, the money—estimated at over $1 billion across 1.1 million Americans—goes back to the U.S. Treasury, and there’s no way to recover it.

Who Was Eligible for the $1,400 Payment?

To qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit:

• You must have had an adjusted gross income below $75,000 (or $150,000 for joint filers) in 2021

• You didn’t already receive the full $1,400 payment in 2021

• You filed a 2021 tax return on or before April 15, 2025

Based on the information from their 2024 tax filing, those who filed early and met the criteria would receive the refund via direct deposit or check.

Extensions Help—But Not for Everything

While filing extensions are useful for avoiding late penalties and giving you more time to complete your taxes, they don’t give you more time to claim expired credits.

The $1,400 stimulus was a use-it-or-lose-it opportunity, which closed with the April 15 deadline.

If you filed after that date—even with an approved extension—the Recovery Rebate Credit is no longer available. 

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