The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that about one million taxpayers still qualify to receive a $1,400 stimulus check as part of the Recovery Rebate Credit for their 2021 tax return. Among the states in question, Florida stands out as one of the states with the largest amount of unclaimed payments.
Why haven’t these checks been claimed?
Many eligible taxpayers never received their payments because they did not file a 2021 tax return. This was especially common among persons not obligated to file due to low income or pandemic-related economic hardship. Because stimulus checks were paid through a tax filing, those who did not file would have missed their payment.
The IRS would say that this payment of $1,400 is legitimate and on
the books, but the eligible person must take the necessary steps to claim such funds before the deadline. Deadline to claim your payment
If you think you qualify for the unclaimed stimulus check, you must file a 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. You have until April 15, 2025, to file your return and request your payment. If you fail to do so, then you will lose the chance to get the money.
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Who Is Eligible for the $1,400 Check?
You might be eligible to get that outstanding stimulus payment if you:
- Did not file a 2021 tax return but had income below that filing requirement threshold.
- Did file a 2021 tax return but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
- Were exempt from filing in 2021 but did qualify for the stimulus payment.
The IRS has worked to ensure that eligible people have been notified, but many still have not come forward to claim their money.
How to claim your stimulus check
For the $1,400 payment, an eligible person must:
- File 2021 tax returns—This helps in obtaining payment even if not required to file.
- Include Recovery Rebate Credit—Claim the credit on your tax return.
- File before April 15, 2025-file later, and lose of chance to claim funds.
There is free assistance for those who do not know how to file tax returns: IRS Free File, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).
The IRS has a $2 billion fund for stimulus payments
In December of 2024, the IRS confirmed that it had set aside some $2.4 billion for one million eligible taxpayers still waiting for their stimulus checks. These payments are designed to assist Americans who suffered during the pandemic and who may still struggle in the economic aftermath.
Payments will be made automatically to all qualifying individuals whose returns are filed correctly. No other paperwork is required aside from the tax return showing the Recovery Rebate Credit.
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So far as welfare begins, it was not just about a $1,400 stimulus check. There were many other programs that allowed financial assistance from expanded Child Tax Credit and state stimulus programs to aid different families and individuals. However, a lot of these programs expect taxpayers to take action to claim their benefits.
Prompt action needed
If you or someone you know could qualify for the stimulus payment that is under claim, then speedy action is needed. With the April 15 deadline just a few weeks away, residents of Florida and the rest of the country will have to act right away to get these 2021 tax returns in so as not to miss their installments of $1,400.
Check the IRS website for more information or speak to a tax professional to verify whether you meet all requirements.
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