If you’ve been wondering about stimulus payments in 2025, you’re not alone. While there aren’t any brand new federal stimulus checks being issued this year, there’s still important news that could put money directly in your pocket. The IRS is actively working to get unclaimed payments to people who deserve them, and there might be money waiting for you right now.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about the current stimulus situation, including how to check if you’re owed money and what steps to take to claim it.
What’s Actually Happening with Stimulus Payments Right Now
The reality is that the IRS announced special payments going out automatically in December 2024 to 1 million taxpayers who didn’t claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. These aren’t new stimulus checks – they’re payments for money that was already approved but never claimed.
Here’s what makes this situation unique: many people who were eligible for stimulus money simply didn’t know they could claim it, or they made small mistakes on their tax returns that prevented them from getting their full payment. The IRS reviewed their internal data and found that tons of eligible people missed out on money they deserved.
The Numbers That Matter
The payments vary depending on several factors, but the maximum payment is $1,400 per individual. When you add it all up, the estimated amount of payments going out will be about $2.4 billion. That’s a substantial amount of money going back to American families.
What’s even more encouraging is that the IRS has confirmed that over $1 billion in unclaimed payments are still available. This means there’s still a significant opportunity for people to claim money they’re entitled to.
Understanding the Recovery Rebate Credit
The Recovery Rebate Credit might sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. Think of it as a way to claim stimulus money you didn’t receive through your tax return. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable credit for individuals who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as stimulus payments.
This credit was designed to catch people who fell through the cracks during the initial distribution of stimulus payments. Maybe you didn’t file taxes in 2020 or 2021, or perhaps there was an issue with your bank account information. Whatever the reason, the Recovery Rebate Credit gives you a second chance to claim that money.
Who’s Getting Automatic Payments
The good news is that many eligible people don’t need to do anything at all. No action is needed for eligible taxpayers to receive these payments, which will go out automatically in December and should arrive in most cases by late January 2025.
You might be eligible for an automatic payment if you filed a 2021 tax return but didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when you were actually entitled to it. The IRS is using their internal data to identify these cases and send payments without requiring any action from you.
Critical Deadlines You Need to Know
Time is of the essence when it comes to claiming unclaimed stimulus money. The deadline to claim 2021 payments is April 15, 2025. This is a hard deadline, and if you miss it, you’ll lose your chance to claim this money forever.
If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return yet, you still have time, but you need to act quickly. The IRS reminds taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2021 tax returns that they may be eligible for a refund if they file and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by the April 15, 2025, deadline.
What This Deadline Means for You
Don’t let this deadline sneak up on you. Even if you think you don’t owe any taxes or don’t usually file a return, you might still be eligible for stimulus money. The IRS makes it clear that eligible taxpayers who didn’t file must file a tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, even if their income was minimal or non-existent.
How to Check If You’re Owed Money
Before you start worrying about filing returns or missing deadlines, you should check if you’re actually owed any stimulus money. The easiest way to do this is through your IRS online account.
Securely access your IRS online account to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the Tax Records page. This will show you exactly how much stimulus money you received and help you figure out if you’re missing any payments.
Using the IRS Online Tools
The IRS provides several tools to help you track your payment status. While you can no longer use the Get My Payment application to check your payment status for new inquiries, you can still access your payment history through your online account.
If you’ve never set up an IRS online account, now is a good time to do it. You’ll need some personal information and documentation to verify your identity, but once you’re set up, you’ll have access to all your tax records and payment information in one place.
Who Qualifies for These Payments
The eligibility requirements for stimulus payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit are based on several factors. Generally, you need to meet income thresholds and filing requirements that were established during the original stimulus programs.
For individual filers, the income limits typically phase out benefits for those earning more than $75,000. For heads of household, the limit is around $112,500, and for married couples filing jointly, it’s $150,000. These are the same thresholds that were used for the original stimulus payments.
Common Reasons People Missed Payments
Understanding why people missed stimulus payments can help you figure out if you might be eligible for money you didn’t receive. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Not filing a tax return in 2020 or 2021
- Being marked as someone else’s dependent when you shouldn’t have been
- Changes in bank account information that weren’t updated with the IRS
- Moving without updating your address with the IRS
- Processing delays or errors at the IRS level
If any of these situations apply to you, there’s a good chance you might be owed stimulus money that you never received.
Steps to Claim Your Payment
If you determine that you’re eligible for stimulus money you didn’t receive, the process to claim it is straightforward but requires attention to detail.
The first step is filing your 2021 tax return if you haven’t already done so. You can do this even if the original filing deadline has passed. When you file, you’ll need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on the appropriate line of your Form 1040.
Filing Your Return
You have several options for filing your return. You can use IRS Free File if you’re eligible, work with a tax preparer, or file a paper return by mail. Whichever method you choose, make sure you accurately calculate your Recovery Rebate Credit amount.
To calculate the credit, you’ll need to know how much stimulus money you already received. This is where your IRS online account becomes valuable – you can look up your exact payment history and use that information to determine how much additional credit you might be entitled to.
What to Expect After Filing
Once you file your return claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS will process your return and issue any refund you’re entitled to. This includes both the Recovery Rebate Credit and any other refunds you might have coming.
The payments will be automatically direct deposited or sent by paper check; eligible taxpayers will also receive a separate letter notifying them of the payment. This means you’ll get both the money and written confirmation that the payment was processed.
Processing times can vary depending on how busy the IRS is and whether you filed electronically or by paper. Electronic returns typically process faster than paper returns.
State-Level Stimulus Programs
While there aren’t any new federal stimulus programs in 2025, some states are still providing their own forms of economic relief to residents. These state programs vary widely in terms of eligibility, payment amounts, and distribution methods.
If you live in a state that’s offering its own stimulus or rebate program, you’ll need to check with your state’s tax agency or website for specific information about eligibility and how to apply.
Staying Informed About State Programs
State-level programs often have their own deadlines and requirements that are separate from federal programs. Make sure you’re checking with your state’s official sources for the most up-to-date information about any local economic relief programs.
Avoiding Scams and Misinformation
Unfortunately, anything involving stimulus payments tends to attract scammers and people spreading false information. Be very cautious about where you get your information, especially if someone is promising you money or asking for personal information.
The IRS will never call you unexpectedly about stimulus payments, and they won’t ask for payment information or personal details over the phone. All legitimate information about stimulus payments comes from official government sources like IRS.gov.
Reliable Information Sources
Stick to official sources like the IRS website, your state’s official tax agency, and established news organizations for information about stimulus payments. Be particularly wary of social media posts or unofficial websites that promise large payments or claim to have “inside information” about new stimulus programs.
Looking Forward
While there aren’t any new federal stimulus programs currently authorized for 2025, the situation could always change depending on economic conditions and political decisions. The best thing you can do is make sure you’ve claimed any money you’re already entitled to and stay informed through official channels.
Keep your contact information updated with the IRS, including your address and bank account details. This ensures that if you are eligible for any future payments, the IRS can reach you without delays or complications.
The current focus on getting unclaimed payments to eligible recipients shows that the government is committed to making sure people receive the financial assistance they’re entitled to. Take advantage of this opportunity while you still can, and don’t let the April 15, 2025 deadline pass you by if you think you might be owed stimulus money.
Remember, even if you don’t typically file tax returns or think you don’t owe any taxes, you might still be eligible for stimulus payments through the Recovery Rebate Credit. It’s worth checking your eligibility and filing if necessary – the potential financial benefit makes it worth the effort.