U.S. citizens may qualify for the IRS stimulus check under the Recovery Rebate Credit 2021. The IRS announced in December 2024 a special payment for taxpayers who never claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit in 2021. The taxpayers who filed the 2021 tax returns may have already received the payment as the IRS processed it automatically based on 2021 tax records.
Many US citizens may still qualify for this special payment, as the IRS has confirmed that taxpayers who haven’t filed their 2021 tax returns and are eligible for the credit can also receive this special payment. Taxpayers can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit payment by filing their 2021 tax return before the 2025 tax day, 15 April 2025.
The Recovery Rebate Credit is for US individuals without one or more Economic Impact Payments. According to the IRS, one million taxpayers have not claimed this credit; hence, the IRS is determined to deliver a stimulus check of up to $1400 to the eligible taxpayers.
| Who qualifies? | U.S. citizens/resident aliens who missed the 2021 stimulus payment. |
| Max payment | $1,400 per person, $2,800 for couples, plus $1,400 per dependent. |
| Income limit | $75K (single), $150K (married); phases out at higher incomes. |
| Deadline | April 15, 2025. |
| How to claim? | File a 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. |
| IRS payout | Use an IRS online account or the “Where’s My Refund” tool. |
| Check Status | Use an IRS online account or “Where’s My Refund” tool. |
| Official website | irs.gov |
Who can receive it?
The Economic Impact Payment was started to support US citizens during the pandemic, and people who did not receive any of these stimulus checks or did not get the full amount will receive the Recovery Rebate Credit. So, taxpayers who qualify for this credit will receive the announced stimulus payment in 2025. Taxpayers can check their eligibility to receive this special payment:
- Taxpayers who have filed the 2021 tax return but left the Recovery Rebate Credit column blank or filled the credit as $0 may qualify for this special payment.
- Taxpayers who were eligible for the EIP but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on the 2021 tax return.
- The US citizen whose adjusted gross income is $73,000 or less in 2021 must file the tax return; however, if you qualify for the credit, you must file the tax return, even if you have no income to report.
- You must be a US national or resident alien in the 2021 tax year, have a valid SSN or claim a dependent who has a valid SSN or ATIN, or have a spouse and both of you have valid SSN or ATIN.
Payment Amount
According to the IRS announcement, the agency estimates around $2.4 billion will roll out for this special payment. The payment for the taxpayers will depend on various factors, but as per the agency’s estimation, the maximum amount any taxpayer can receive is $1400 under the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The taxpayers can receive the full amount of the EIP under the Recovery Rebate Credit when their total amount is as follows:
- $1400 for individuals who have a valid SSN (or $2800 for couples who filed joint tax returns and qualify for the payment, and have a valid SSN, or when one spouse is a US Armed Forces active member).
- $1400 for a qualified dependent who has a valid Social Security Number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number.
The taxpayers who are not sure of their EIP payments can check their online account to check if they missed any EIP payout, or check the IRS EIP notices, or Letter 6475 that was sent in March 2022, confirming the third EIP total payout.
What can affect your payment?
The Recovery Rebate Credit amount can be affected by your income and the amount of EIP payment. Taxpayers can check the adjusted gross income in 2021 that can affect their amount:
- If you are married and filed the tax returns jointly or are filing a tax return as a qualifying widower or widow, your adjusted gross income should not exceed $150,000. If the adjusted gross income is $160,000 or above, you will not qualify for any credit.
- Taxpayers with a filing status of head of household, adjusted gross income should now exceed $112,500; otherwise, it will reduce the payment, and if it increases up to $120,000, you will not receive any credit.
- Other taxpayers’ credit will be reduced if the adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000; however, if it increases up to $80,000, your credit will be reduced to zero.
How to claim?
US citizens who have not claimed the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns must file the 2021 tax returns in this tax season to receive the credit amount up to $1400. Taxpayers should understand this is their last chance to claim this recovery rebate credit.
The taxpayers are advised to file the 2021 tax return electronically through Direct File or Free File to save their time and file accurate taxes, as it is necessary that you file an error-free tax return. You must fill out the Recovery Rebate Credit option on the 2021 tax return. The agency will review your tax return and will try to process your tax return and refund on time.
Taxpayers can track their tax refund amount through the Where’s My Refund tool to ensure that the IRS has accepted their tax returns. The tax day (15 April 2025) is approaching fast, so if you find yourselves eligible for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, you must file the 2021 tax return.
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