The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has begun issuing stimulus checks of up to $1,400 per person as part of the Recovery Rebate Credit program, which has a $2.4 billion budget and is being closely monitored by millions of eligible beneficiaries who have until April 15, 2025 to claim the benefit.
According to the IRS, the credit is available to anyone who submitted their 2021 tax returns but did not apply for the stimulus at the time. Those who did not file taxes that year may still be eligible if they submit their papers by the 2025 deadline.
Latest notice from the IRS: Claim the $1,400 stimulus check or lose it forever
The department acknowledged that automated payments started in December for taxpayers who had already filed for 2021. Those who did not do so must submit their returns and claim the Recovery Refund Credit by April 15, 2025. “Eligible taxpayers will receive a letter notifying them of the payment,” the IRS said via its official channels.
To determine your eligibility, the IRS suggests checking to see whether the credit field on your 2021 return was left blank or listed as $0. An official told the press that “taxpayers who have not filed 2021 tax returns may be eligible, but they must file their returns before the established deadline.”
Are these the same stimulus checks proposed by DOGE?
Stimulus cheques are intended to boost the economy, while tax refunds correspond to surplus payments paid to the Treasury. In both circumstances, the funds are received by cheque, direct deposit, or alternate ways such as prepaid cards. Initiatives like the $5,000 DOGE dividend, which is currently being proposed, indicate that taxpayers should get government savings back.
Although DOGE payments have not yet been introduced, their principle varies from the Recovery Refund Credit. While the IRS stimulus provides post-pandemic economic aid, the DOGE dividend is related to the Department of Government Efficiency. “We might have to wait a while to receive DOGE stimulus payments,” an unidentified insider said.
how to claim the IRS stimulus check
The IRS sends notice letters to beneficiaries regardless of the payment method used. Those that registered in 2021 will not need to take any extra step. Those who did not file must submit their outstanding returns and request for credit by April 2025.
The procedure includes evaluating tax paperwork, filling out necessary forms, and ensuring that banking information is up to date. The agency cautions about hard deadlines: “Eligible taxpayers must file their return and claim the credit before tax day, April 15,” the official announcement said.