The United States Internal Revenue Service is sending out Stimulus Checks from December 2024 through January 2025 and you could be in line for a payment without even knowing about it. In their 2021 tax return, taxpayers could claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, and those who were eligible but didn’t will be paid out now, four years later. Not everyone will be receiving the same amount and there are some criteria to qualify for the IRS funds, and you can find this information below.
The U.S. IRS is sending 2021 Stimulus Checks 4 years later
Eligible taxpayers who neglected to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit with their 2021 tax return will simply see a deposit land in their bank accounts in January; they don’t even have to claim.
After a review of internal data, the IRS identified a substantial number of eligible Americans who filed a return but didn’t claim the credit even though they met the criteria. The total amount being disbursed nationwide is approximately $2.4 billion.
According to the IRS, the Recovery Rebate Credit was:
“A refundable credit for individuals who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as stimulus payments.”
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a news release:
“Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible. 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.”
In other news about Stimulus Checks, residents of the State of Oregon may have a round of payments to look forward to in 2026, but only if things turn out a certain way after elections in November 2025.
What do you need to know about the Recovery Rebate Credit?
Below is a list of commonly asked questions about the Stimulus checks being distributed in January 2025.
- How do I claim the Recovery Rebate Credit that I didn’t claim with my 2021 tax return?
You don’t have to take any action at all. Payments will be automatically processed.
- When will I receive my Stimulus Check?
Payments started being processed in December 2024 and should be completed by the end of January 2025.
- Will I get a check in the mail or funds deposited into my account?
The payment method depends on individual tax filers’ preferences. If they elected to receive direct payments into their nominated accounts rather than a paper check in the mail, then that’s how they will be paid, and vice versa.
- How do I know if I’m eligible for the Stimulus Check?
The IRS has sent each recipient a letter notifying them of the incoming funds. Taxpayers can also look back at their 2021 tax returns and see if they left the Recovery Rebate Credit field blank or filled in an amount of $0.
- How much will my Stimulus Check be?
The amount that each beneficiary receives varies but the maximum is $1,400, as reported by the IRS.
- What happens if I didn’t file my 2021 tax return at all?
People who did not file a tax return for the year 2021 could still qualify for the Stimulus Check and have an opportunity to submit their 2021 return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit before April 15, 2025. The IRS states:
“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 context of Stimulus Checks in the U.S.
The U.S. administration began distributing Stimulus Checks amid the upheaval caused by COVID-19. The aim was to offset some of the pandemic’s consequences, such as job and income losses and business closures or shutdowns.
Inflation also shot through the roof in a short time. Cash injections were issued to boost local economies and support taxpayers.
Another form of tax credit is available for some Americans: the $7,500 U.S. Vehicle Tax Credit.
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