Recent headlines claiming a new round of stimulus payments sent by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have spread rapidly—but the truth is more nuanced. While there are payments going out, they are not part of a newly authorized general stimulus program, and only specific individuals qualify. This article explains what’s really happening, who is eligible, and how to check whether you might receive a payment.
What the IRS Has Confirmed
The IRS recently announced automatic payments of up to $1,400 for approximately 1 million taxpayers who missed their original payments under the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC). These payments are not a new stimulus initiative—they are the final portion of pandemic-era relief being distributed for the 2021 tax year. Meanwhile, the IRS explicitly states that no new general stimulus checks are authorized for most taxpayers at present.
Why Some People Are Receiving These Payments
The payments apply to taxpayers who met the original eligibility criteria but either:
- Did not file a 2021 tax return and thus did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, or
- Filed a 2021 return but did not claim the credit despite being eligible. The IRS has used internal data to identify those omitted cases and is issuing the payments automatically for many individuals.
Who Qualifies and Who Doesn’t
Eligible individuals include:
- U.S. citizens or resident aliens who had a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
- Those who were not claimed as dependents on another taxpayer’s 2021 return.
- Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income (AGI) was within the phase-out limits set for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.
- Taxpayers who did not receive the full Economic Impact Payments (EIP) originally through 2020-21.
Not eligible if:
- You already received full payments or claimed the credit when filing your 2021 tax return.
- Your income exceeded the AGI threshold where the credit phases out.
- You were claimed as someone else’s dependent or lacked a valid SSN.
What You Should Do Right Now
- Check your IRS Online Account or look up your 2021 tax return to see if you claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit.
- If you never filed a 2021 return and think you qualify, file it by the stated deadline (Note: for many this was April 15, 2025) to claim the credit.
- Do not trust unsolicited emails or texts claiming new stimulus payments are arriving. The IRS says no new widespread payments are scheduled.
- Verify your bank account and address on file with the IRS so automatic payments can be processed if you’re eligible.
What This Means for Most Americans
For the majority of taxpayers who already received their EIPs or claimed their RRCs, this development doesn’t mean a new check is on the way. The upcoming payments are limited, targeted, and tied to the 2021 tax-relief program—not a fresh stimulus package.
FAQs
1. Are these new stimulus payments the same as a fourth round of checks?
No. These payments are part of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit process and apply to a limited group of taxpayers. They are not a new stimulus program.
2. How much is the payment?
Eligible individuals may receive up to $1,400, depending on their prior payments and whether they claimed the full credit in 2021.
3. When will the payments arrive?
Payments are being issued automatically for those identified by the IRS. Many were expected by early 2025.
4. Do I need to apply for this payment?
If you’re eligible and were identified by the IRS, no action is required—payments are disbursed automatically. However, if you did not file a 2021 return and may qualify, you must file to claim the credit.
5. What happens if I already filed and claimed the credit incorrectly?
If you already claimed the full credit and received the associated EIPs, you likely won’t receive additional payments.