WASHINGTON – The deadline is approaching for a small number of American taxpayers to still claim up to $1,400 in stimulus money dating back to 2021 pandemic-era relief.
The IRS said some Americans may still be eligible to receive the Recovery Rebate Credit, but only for those who didn’t file 2021 tax returns.
RELATED: Stimulus checks in 2025? Here’s what we know
Here’s what to know:
IRS stimulus checks: Who is receiving it?
The backstory:
The Recovery Rebate Credit is a credit for individuals who did not receive one or more pandemic-era stimulus payments, or received less than the full amount. The IRS previously announced it was distributing about $2.4 billion to roughly 1 million taxpayers who did not claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, noting that it discovered many eligible taxpayers had not claimed the credit.
What we know:
Qualified taxpayers who filed a 2021 tax return, but where the data field for the Recovery Rebate Credit was left blank or was filled out as $0 when the taxpayer was actually eligible for the credit, are among those getting one.
Dig deeper:
No action is needed for eligible taxpayers to receive these payments, which went out automatically in December and should have arrived in most cases by late January 2025, according to the IRS.
Most should have already received the payments either via automatic direct deposit or in the form of a paper check in the mail.
Taxpayers who didn’t file a 2021 tax return may be eligible
What you can do:
The IRS said taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2021 tax returns may be eligible for a refund if they file and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by the April 15, 2025, deadline.
“Eligible taxpayers who did not file must file a tax return to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit, even if their income from a job, business or other source was minimal or non-existent,” the agency said.
How to check if you claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit on 2021 tax returns
Here’s how taxpayers can check if they claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns:
- Check the tax return: Review the 2021 tax return and check for a line item related to the Recovery Rebate Credit. If you claimed it, you should see it listed there.
- Use IRS Online Account: Log in to your IRS Online Account. You can view your tax records, including any Recovery Rebate Credits claimed.
- Contact the IRS: If you’re still unsure, you can contact the IRS directly for assistance. They can help you verify if the credit was claimed on your return.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from information published about the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on the IRS website. It was reported from Cincinnati, and FOX 5 DC contributed.
