The IRS stimulus check deadline is fast approaching, and there’s $1400 on the line. Not only is this an opportunity for millions of Americans to claim their 2021 Recovery Rebate Credits, but it’s also a chance for employers and their HR teams to support and promote financial wellness among their workers.
The Internal Revenue Service issued a reminder for those who haven’t filed their 2021 tax returns to do so by April and recover a stimulus check in the process. There is a lot of uncertainty about who qualifies for the up to $1400 stimulus check in 2025 and how to apply for it, and many employees may be unaware of the opportunity to claim these credits. Employers who inform and assist their employees in signing up for the stimulus check by filing their tax returns by April 15 could make a big difference in the lives of their employees.
Spreading knowledge of the IRS stimulus check and 2021 tax filing deadline is something employers and their HR teams can take charge of right now. (Image: Pexels)
The IRS Stimulus Check Deadline Approaches. Who Qualifies for $1400?
In December, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced its plans to issue automatic payments to eligible people who were unable to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns after its data showed that there were many eligible taxpayers who had not claimed the credit.
The $1400 stimulus checks for most eligible citizens who had not claimed the credit were sent out in December 2024 and January 2025, but the IRS announcement also served as a reminder. Citizens who have not filed their 2021 tax returns could still be eligible for the IRS payments in April 2025 if they meet the criteria and successfully file their tax returns by the IRS stimulus check deadline.
Who Qualifies for the $1400 Stimulus Coming in 2025?
The IRS stimulus check deadline is set for April 15, and those who haven’t filed their 2021 tax returns need to do so by then. Most eligible Americans have received their funds, but approximately 1.1 million Americans could still claim that money. Those who already filed their tax returns likely missed the stimulus checks because they entered $0 or left the Recovery Rebate Credit section blank.
The amount you can receive depends on your 2021 adjusted gross income (AGI), and the credit phases out at higher income tax brackets. Those who haven’t filed their tax returns for 2021 should do so now.
Single Filers:
- Full $1,400 if 2021 AGI was $75,000 or less
- Credit fully phases out at an AGI of $80,000
Married Couples Filing Jointly:
- Full $2,800 if combined 2021 AGI was $150,000 or less
- Credit phases out completely at a combined income of $160,000
Dependents:
- Eligible dependents in 2021 could earn $1,400, regardless of age, subject to the same phase-out limits
Stimulus Check 2025: How to Apply
There are no additional forms or applications to be filled out. Those who haven’t filed their income tax returns for 2021 will need to complete the return filing by April 15, 2025. The IRS’ extra payments eligibility criteria based on the AGI will be considered before the appropriate amounts are sent out.
Why Should the $1400 Stimulus Check Matter to HR?
The stimulus check will be provided on eligible 2021 tax return filings by April 15, but not everyone is aware of this. Due to preoccupations with work, family, health, and other matters, there may be many employees who have missed out on the news and would be very grateful to be informed.
By now, HR teams should be aware of how much monetary benefits and reimbursements matter to employees. The IRS payments in April 2025 could provide some immediate relief to workers who need a tangible, short-term boost to their finances, which could be channeled toward paying off bills, loans, or debts or even saved for a rainy day.
The conversation around the IRS stimulus check deadline could also set a precedent for future initiatives around building financial empowerment within workers. Financial stress plays a big role in an employee’s performance as well as their levels of absenteeism. Aiding workers and easing their financial stress can be very critical to the wellness of the organization at large.
Last Chance for $1,400: How HR Can Turn Unclaimed Stimulus Checks into a Financial Wellness Win
HR teams may know that the IRS stimulus check deadline is approaching, but do employees? Before we get to overall financial wellness, HR leaders should turn to their systems right now and support employees who may be missing out on the $1400 stimulus check.
- Send out emails and messages or communicate with employees via the preferred organization work systems to tell them about who qualifies for the $1400 stimulus check in 2025
- Create a space for employees to reach out with their questions and concerns
- Dispel any myths surrounding eligibility and deadlines
- Share IRS tools like the Free File program (for those with income under $73,000) to help them file their tax returns
- Redirect them to local tax assistance programs or redirect them to the organizations that might be able to help them with the filing
- Create an FAQ on common queries that employees have that they can read about in one place
- Share other resources with them on how to track future reports on such IRS or other fiscal deadlines
- Alert employees to the possibility of scams and ensure they turn to reliable sources for their information
HR Teams Can Aid Employees with Financial Education in Many Ways
The retroactive IRS payments in April 2025 via the stimulus check are a unique event and unlikely to come up too often, but employees can still benefit from a supportive employer that cares for their financial wellness. Once you’re done aiding employees with understanding the IRS extra payments and the eligibility criteria, you can also start organizing a workplace movement around financial wellness.
- Assess employee needs and awareness levels to determine what kind of programs need to be planned
- Analyze workforce demographics and tailor-make an employee benefits program for their financial well-being
- Conduct seminars and expert-guided sessions on how to save and invest money
- Promote existing employee benefits for fiscal support at the organization so workers know how and when to access them
- Partner with financial experts and institutions to structure a program around employee financial well-being
- Provide digital tools and resources that employees can use to build their awareness and access to external benefits
- During open enrollment for financial programs, explain how benefits like HSAs, FSAs, or stock options work, using real-life examples so employees understand how they work
- Offer financial programs and employer-matched retirement plans to help employees prepare for the future
- Offer yearly bonuses or other fiscal compensation with some regularity
- Invite local banks or credit unions to provide sessions on home buying, credit scores, or small business loans
- Launch campaigns like “Financial Wellness Month” to get employees interested in thinking about finances in the long term
Concluding Thoughts on the Employer’s Role in Employee Financial Well-Being
Employers that care for workers can find innumerable ways to guarantee their well-being, whether it’s in terms of finances or otherwise. The IRS stimulus check deadline is a wake-up call for HR teams on the relevance of financial awareness among employees and how it can be used as a way to build a stronger connection with each and every worker. There’s still no word on the DOGE stimulus checks, so HR teams should keep an eye out for that too to ensure employees don’t get scammed.
Whether by helping someone claim a $1,400 stimulus check before the April 15, 2025, deadline or guiding them toward long-term security, these efforts create a ripple effect among workers. Stable, happy workers make for more productive employees, so its time to mark a strategic win for HR.
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