The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a reminder that nearly one million taxpayers may still be eligible for a special refund of up to $1,400. This refund is available through the Recovery Rebate Credit for those who did not file their 2021 tax return. The deadline to claim this credit is April 15, 2025.
To receive the payment, taxpayers must file their 2021 tax return and claim the credit, even if they had little or no income during that year. Those who have already filed but are unsure of their eligibility can check their IRS online account for confirmation.
Refund
The IRS has identified approximately one million individuals who never claimed their Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. To address this, the agency initiated an automatic payment process for those who qualified, eliminating the need to file additional paperwork.
For taxpayers with a registered bank account on their 2023 tax return, the refund was deposited directly. Those without direct deposit information received a check mailed to their last known address on file with the IRS.
“We are making sure these payments get automatically to those who need them, without them having to file an amended return,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel in December 2024.
Taxpayers with questions about their eligibility or payment amount can check their IRS online account or visit the IRS website for detailed information on Economic Impact Payments and how to claim them.
Claim
If you did not receive your Economic Impact Payment or received less than the full amount, you may still qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit by filing a federal tax return for 2020 or 2021.
The IRS explained that each payment was tied to a specific tax year, meaning the claim process varies depending on which payment was missed.
- If you did not receive the first or second payment, you must file a 2020 tax return to claim the credit.
- If you did not receive the third payment, you need to file a 2021 tax return.
To check which payments were received, taxpayers can log into their individual IRS account and navigate to the “Economic Impact Payment Information” section under the Tax Records page.
Notices
The IRS sent three Economic Impact Payment (EIP) notices by mail to taxpayers, providing details about the payments they received. Reviewing these notices can help determine if a claim needs to be filed.
- Notice 1444: Details the first Economic Impact Payment for tax year 2020.
- Notice 1444-B: Details the second Economic Impact Payment for tax year 2020.
- Notice 1444-C: Details the third Economic Impact Payment for tax year 2021.
Taxpayers who believe they are missing a payment should review these notices, check their IRS online account, and ensure they file their tax return before the April 15, 2025 deadline.
FAQs
Who qualifies for the $1,400 refund?
Taxpayers who did not file a 2021 return and are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit.
When is the deadline to claim the credit?
The deadline to file and claim the credit is April 15, 2025.
How do I check if I received my payment?
Log into your IRS online account and review the Economic Impact Payment section.
Will I receive the refund automatically?
Some taxpayers will receive automatic payments, while others must file a tax return.
What if I missed the first or second stimulus payments?
File a 2020 tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for those payments.
