Americans can still get $1,400 extra payment from the IRS – the three criteria you must meet to be eligible for funds

AMERICAN taxpayers may still be eligible for a $1,400 stimulus payment.

The federal government launched a stimulus program during the coronavirus pandemic to provide economic relief.

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Although most Americans received their payments in 2020 and 2021, those who missed out can still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The credit is refundable and is awarded to those who file their tax returns by the deadline.

Those who already received three stimulus payments during the pandemic are not eligible for the credit.

The payments were sent in March 2020, December 2020, and again in March 2021.

The deadline to file for the 2020 payments has passed, however, those who did not receive a check in 2021 have until April 15, 2025, to file a tax return and see cash back.

ELIGIBILITY REVEALED

The three criteria to receive the checks are as follows:

• A US citizen in 2021
• Not a dependent of another taxpayer in 2021
• Have a Social Security number issued before the due date, claim a dependent who has a Social Security number before the due date, or claim a dependent with an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number

The 2020 and 2021 credits can be claimed for someone who died during or after 2021, per the IRS.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET

The Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021 is $1,400, or $2,800 for married couples who file taxes jointly.

Married couples with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of over $150,000 were not eligible for the full payment.

Those filing jointly with an AGI of $198,000 or over were not eligible for the payment.

Check amounts were decreased for couples with a combined AGI between $150,000 and $198,000.

Individuals with an AGI of $75,000 or less were eligible for the full $1,400.

Those who made $99,000 or more were not eligible for the payment.

The check amount was again decreased for those who made between $75,000 and $99,000.

Taxpayers’ AGI was based on their tax returns for 2020.

Those who did not receive the three federal stimulus payments, or only received a partial amount, can recover the funds by filing 2021 tax returns.

What is the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit?

The Recovery Rebate Credit was created so American taxpayers who missed out on Economic Impact Payments could claim their cash.

Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks, were sent out to qualifying Americans during the coronavirus pandemic to ease financial burdens.

There were three rounds of stimulus checks sent during the pandemic.

The checks were $1,200, $600, and $1,400 for individuals. Married couples filing jointly saw checks for $2,400, $1,200, and $2,800.

Most Americans saw these checks in 2020 and 2021, but those who missed out on one or more of the payments are eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The deadline to file the 2020 checks was May 17, 2024, and the deadline to file the 2021 check is April 15, 2025.

Eligible Americans can claim the checks by filing their 2021 tax returns.

The original tax deadline to file 2021 returns was, April 15, 2022, however, federal law mandates a three-year window to claim refunds.

Taxpayers can receive free filing help through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly Programs or by calling 800-906-9887 for more information.

There is no penalty for taxpayers who claim refunds on a tax return filed after the due date.

Americans can also create an IRS Online Account to see what payments they’ve received and their total amounts.

The Recovery Rebate Credit cannot be counted as income when determining eligibility for federal benefits.

It also has no impact on an individual’s immigration status or ability to receive immigration benefits, per the IRS.