The Recovery Rebate Credit was a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act) of 2020. If you did not receive a stimulus payment in 2020 or 2021 (or did not receive the full amount) and are eligible, you could claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return.


The first stimulus check sent in 2020 was for $1,200 per tax filer, and $500 for each eligible dependent. The second stimulus check was $600 per tax filer and $600 for each eligible dependent. 


A third stimulus check was sent out to Americans in March of 2021, after the American Rescue Plan was signed. Individuals who earned under $75,000 could receive up to $1,400, while those married, filing jointly could receive $2,800 ($1,400 per person). Filers could also receive $1,400 for each eligible dependent. 


The due date to file your 2021 taxes was April 18, 2022 or October 17, 2022, if you requested an extension. But, if you need to amend your 2021 return, you still have two more years to do so. Amending your return could help you claim any missing money through the Recovery Rebate Credit — but we recommend checking with a tax professional before amending your tax return.


You can also  find out if you already received some of the Recovery Rebate Credit at the IRS website. 


The Recovery Rebate Credit cannot be claimed on your 2022 taxes, since there were no federal stimulus checks issues during tax year 2022.