Federal stimulus payments, issued between 2020 and 2021 under laws such as the CARES Act, have already completed their distribution. The IRS confirmed that amounts up to $1,400 per person were dependent on adjusted gross income (AGI).
For example, single taxpayers with AGI equal to or less than $75,000 received the full amount, while the payment was gradually reduced until it was completely eliminated upon reaching $80,000.
The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit remains claimable through today, April 15, 2025, according to the IRS. Those who did not file their 2021 return should do so immediately, even with minimal income. “The deadline will not be extended again,” an IRS spokesperson warned in a March 2025 statement.
Are there state stimulus check programs in New York?
In New York, there are no active stimulus checks as of April 15, 2025. However, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a $3 billion Inflation Rebate in December 2024, with payments of $300 to $500, depending on marital status and income. The distribution, initially scheduled for February, faces legislative delays.
An anonymous official told Elmira that “checks could be sent in the fall of 2025 if approved.” The proposal would benefit 8.6 million taxpayers, including 3.6 million in NYC. However, as of press time, the State Legislature has not voted on the project.
The New York Department of Treasury has not announced additional programs for 2025, other than those announced by Hochul. Its website reiterates that “previous economic impact payments have already been distributed,” according to a January statement. The NYC Comptroller’s office also ruled out new measures, focusing on assistance in claiming federal credits.
The most notable thing about this program is the following:
- Variable amounts between $300 and $500 according to criteria that have not yet been confirmed.
- Recipients: Priority would be given to lower-middle-income households, although the exact details will be defined during legislative negotiations.
- The final date for sending the checks, although March was originally mentioned, has not yet been defined.
“People need to know if they should prepare documentation or how to plan for this possible help,” says a spokesperson for the NYC Fair Housing Coalition.
Although the announcement generates expectations, experts warn that isolated measures will not resolve structural crises. “It is a useful palliative, but it must be complemented with employment and rent control policies,” emphasizes Mariana López, an economist who spoke with us.
Today is the last day to claim tax refund for 2021
Only IRS Free Tax Prep remains available to help residents file 2021 returns. Those who do not claim the credit today will irrevocably lose funds, the source indicated. So far, $2.4 billion has been automatically distributed between December 2024 and January 2025.
In the absence of current programs, the only immediate recourse is to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit before midnight this April 15, 2025. If these funds are not claimed by that time, they will be lost forever and will become the property of the United States Treasury.
