Urgent announcement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Americans are called upon to claim their rebate payment before time runs out. This important message concerns the Recovery Rebate Credit from 2020 and 2021.
The Recovery Rebate Credit Explained
The Recovery Rebate Credit is designed specifically for individuals who missed out on stimulus checks during 2020 or 2021. If you're among people who filed their 2020 tax return, you've likely already pocketed an Economic Impact Payment. But if you chose not to file, don't worry – you're still eligible as long as you file by May 17, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this credit extends to those who were U.S. citizens or U.S. resident aliens during the tax year under consideration. It's important that no other taxpayer lists you as a dependent on their filing. To claim the credit, you'll need a Social Security number obtained no later than the 17th of May, 2024.
Who Should File?
Individuals with minimal to no income are prompted to file because you might still qualify for the credit. In fact, anyone who didn't file taxes in 2020 is advised to revisit their records. The IRS is preparing to share more granular information for taxpayers who might need help with filing and claiming a refund for 2020. This information will be made available later this month.
Deadlines and Amounts
Mark your calendars, folks. For the 2020 rebate credit, the deadline is May 17, 2024. For the 2021 rebate credit, you have until April 15, 2025. So there's ample time to make your claim. As provided by federal law, taxpayers are permitted a three-year window to claim a refund.
The credit value per individual will be derived from various factors such as income, dependents, and other data in the filing. On top of that, an extra ,400 can be claimed for every dependent with a valid Social Security number listed on the 2020 or 2021 tax return.
No Penalty
One last thing to bear in mind: There's no penalty for claiming a refund on a tax return filed late. It's all straightforward. Don't leave money on the table, start the process today.