Millions of hardworking Americans are about to receive a cash windfall from the federal government, with $1,400 checks hitting bank accounts across the country. The IRS is issuing these previously unclaimed stimulus payments as the deadline approaches for others to claim theirs before the money disappears forever. Don’t forget to claim!
At a glance:
• The IRS is distributing $2.4 billion in “special payments” to 1 million people who missed out on federal stimulus checks during the pandemic
• Eligible individuals can receive up to $1,400 per person if they file their 2021 tax returns by April 15, 2025
• Many senior citizens, low-income individuals, and self-employed workers may qualify even if they weren’t required to file taxes in 2021
• Individuals earning up to $75,000 and married couples earning up to $150,000 were eligible for the original stimulus payments
• There will be no extensions beyond the April 15 deadline, meaning those who miss it will permanently forfeit their payments
Automatic Payments Coming for 1 Million Americans
The IRS has announced that approximately $2.4 billion worth of stimulus checks were automatically sent to eligible taxpayers starting December 2024, and that these payments are reaching roughly one million Americans who filed their 2021 tax returns but overlooked claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit despite being eligible.
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel confirmed the agency is working to streamline the process for recipients. The payments will be distributed either through direct deposit for those with banking information on file or via paper checks mailed to eligible taxpayers.
The IRS announced it will issue recovery rebate credits to taxpayers who missed claiming the credit on their 2021 tax returns. An internal review found that approximately 1 million Americans failed to claim the credit, which could result in payments of up to $1,400 per person.… pic.twitter.com/hRnLaC01FZ
— Straight Arrow News (@StraightArrow__) December 24, 2024
Last Chance to Claim Your $1,400 Payment
“To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. The automatic payments were triggered after the agency discovered many Americans had unknowingly left money on the table.
Those who haven’t yet filed their 2021 tax returns still have a critical opportunity to claim the payment. The deadline of April 15, 2025, is fast approaching, and the IRS has made it clear there will be no extensions for claiming this money.
“There will be no extensions, and checks will not be sent out automatically to individuals who miss the April 15 deadline,” the IRS confirmed.
So if you don’t claim it now, you’ll never get it!
❤️ Eligible taxpayers who missed claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on their 2021 tax returns will automatically receive payments by late January 2025.
Key details:
🔘 Who qualifies: Taxpayers who filed 2021 returns but left the RRC field blank or entered $0 despite…
— Basics&Beyond (@CPEhours) January 6, 2025
Who Qualifies and How to Claim Your Payment
So, do you qualify?
The eligibility requirements match those of the original 2021 stimulus program authorized during the pandemic. Individuals earning up to $75,000 annually or married couples filing jointly with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full payment amount.
Many senior citizens living on fixed incomes, low-income individuals, and self-employed workers who weren’t required to file tax returns in 2021 may still be eligible. The IRS specifically noted that claiming this credit will not affect eligibility for federal benefit programs like Social Security, SNAP, TANF, or WIC.
Filing electronically is strongly recommended to ensure timely processing before the deadline. The Recovery Rebate Credit can be claimed by filing a 2021 tax return, even if you weren’t required to file one previously.
