The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has begun issuing stimulus checks of up to $1,400 per person, as part of the Recovery Rebate Credit, a program with a budget of $2.4 billion and that is being closely monitored by millions of eligible beneficiaries who have until April 15, 2025 to claim this benefit.
According to the IRS, the credit applies to those who filed their 2021 tax return but did not apply for the stimulus at that time. Those who did not file taxes that year may still be eligible, as long as they file their paperwork by the 2025 deadline.
Latest notice from the IRS: Claim the $1,400 stimulus check or lose it forever
The agency confirmed that automatic payments began in December for taxpayers who already filed in 2021. Those who did not do so must file their return and claim the Recovery Refund Credit before April 15, 2025. “Eligible taxpayers will receive a letter notifying them of the payment,” the IRS said through its official channels.
To verify your eligibility, the IRS recommends checking to see if the credit field on your 2021 return was left blank or marked as $0. An official explained to the press that “taxpayers who have not filed 2021 tax returns may be eligible, but must file their returns before the established deadline.”
Are these the same stimulus checks proposed by DOGE?
Stimulus checks seek to stimulate the economy, while tax refunds correspond to excess payments made to the treasury. In both cases, the amounts arrive via check, direct deposit or alternative methods such as prepaid cards. On the other hand, initiatives such as the $5,000 DOGE dividend, still in proposal, suggest returning government savings to taxpayers.
Although DOGE payments have not been implemented, their concept differs from the Recovery Refund Credit. While the IRS stimulus is post-pandemic economic relief, the DOGE dividend would be tied to the Department of Government Efficiency. “We might have to wait a while to receive DOGE stimulus payments,” an anonymous source clarified.
how to claim the IRS stimulus check
The IRS sends notification letters to beneficiaries, regardless of the payment method chosen. No additional action is required for those who already filed in 2021. Those who did not file must file their pending return and apply for the credit before April 2025.
The process includes reviewing tax documents, completing appropriate forms, and ensuring banking information is up-to-date. The agency warns of strict deadlines: “Eligible taxpayers must file their return and claim the credit before tax day, April 15,” the official statement reiterated.
