IRS Stimulus Checks: Claim Your Recovery Rebate Credit Before the Deadline
Location: WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is taking steps to assist individuals who did not claim their Recovery Rebate Credit during the 2021 tax filing season. This initiative particularly targets those who missed out on one or more Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), frequently referred to as stimulus checks.
Key Details on Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit
The IRS has made it clear that a significant number of eligible taxpayers have already received their payments, but there is still an opportunity for those who did not submit their 2021 tax returns to claim the credit. In December 2024, the organization announced intentions to automatically disburse payments to individuals who failed to apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Eligibility Criteria and Payment Process
To qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit and receive potential payments of up to $1,400 per person, individuals must file their 2021 tax returns by the deadline of April 15, 2025. The IRS has estimated that total payments could reach around $2.4 billion across eligible taxpayers.
Automatic Payment Distribution
Individuals eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit but who did not claim it in their 2021 tax filings are expected to receive payments by late January 2025. Payments will be processed through the bank account specified in the taxpayer’s 2023 return or mailed to the official address on file.
The IRS will notify taxpayers receiving these payments via letters. If a taxpayer’s bank account has been closed since their last filing, no action is needed on their part. In such a case, the payment will be returned to the IRS, and the refund will be sent to the taxpayer’s listed address.
Filing Options for Non-filers
The IRS encourages non-filers who haven’t submitted their 2021 tax returns to act promptly. By filing a return, individuals may still be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. This applies to all eligible individuals, even those with minimal or no income from employment or other sources. To receive the credit, it is necessary to submit the return by the April 15, 2025, deadline.
For further details regarding this update and the Recovery Rebate Credit, you may refer to the IRS informational page.
Source Attribution
This article references information provided by the Internal Revenue Service and earlier reports from FOX 5.
