Eligibility Criteria and Deadline: April 15

• The IRS is issuing checks to eligible individuals who failed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax filings.
• The maximum payout per individual is $1,400.
• Nearly 70,000 Floridians have not submitted their 2021 tax returns.
• To receive the credit, your 2021 taxes must be submitted by April 15.

If you’re not keen on waiting for a DOGE stimulus check — which may or may not materialize — consider a guaranteed option: a $1,400 stimulus payment from the IRS!

The IRS has been dispatching stimulus payments to one million qualified taxpayers.

These checks are part of COVID-19 stimulus initiatives for individuals who missed their payments but qualify for the funds.

According to the agency, they have been issuing $2.4 billion in stimulus checks, as confirmed in December.

Wondering about your eligibility? Or did you already receive a check? Here’s the information you need.

Why is the IRS Sending Out One Million Stimulus Checks?

The payments are directed toward “eligible individuals who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns,” according to the IRS.

“After reviewing our internal data, we found that a million taxpayers overlooked this complicated credit while being eligible,” remarked IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.

“To ease the burden and ensure this money reaches qualified taxpayers, we are processing these payments automatically, eliminating the need for individuals to file an amended return.”

Who is Eligible for the IRS Stimulus Payments?

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien who has submitted a 2021 tax return — or plan to do so — and did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, you might be among the million eligible for the IRS payment.

Most taxpayers entitled to the Economic Impact Payments have already received their EIP or Recovery Rebate Credit, commonly referred to as stimulus payments, as stated by the IRS.

The IRS disbursed three rounds of stimulus payments throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Individuals who received those payments will not be able to claim this Recovery Rebate Credit, as emphasized by the IRS.

Taxpayers who filed 2021 returns but left the Recovery Rebate Credit field empty or indicated $0 while being eligible may receive a check.

What Do You Need to Do to Obtain the Stimulus Check If You’re Eligible?

No action is required on your part, as stated by the IRS.

“Eligible taxpayers will automatically receive these payments with no need for action on their end,” the IRS noted.

The payments will either be directly deposited or mailed by check; eligible recipients will also receive a separate notification letter informing them of the payment.

Maximum IRS Stimulus Payment Amount is $1,400

Payment amounts vary based on various criteria, but the highest payment available is $1,400 per individual, according to the IRS.

Approximately $2.4 billion will be distributed to one million eligible taxpayers.

To ascertain the amount of your Recovery Rebate Credit, taxpayers should check their IRS Online Account to verify their received Economic Impact Payments or to see if they haven’t received any.

IRS: $61 Million Owed to Florida Taxpayers

The IRS reports that Florida taxpayers are collectively owed around $61,087,200.

Nearly 69,800 individuals who have not submitted their 2021 tax returns could receive, on average, $732.

Haven’t Filed Your 2021 Tax Return? You Still Might Qualify for the Credit, But Time is Running Out

Taxpayers yet to file their 2021 tax returns may still be eligible for the funds, but the deadline to file and claim the credit, as well as any additional refunds, is April 15, 2025, the IRS advises.

Contributions by: Bonnie Bolden, USA TODAY Network