New Upcoming payment : Thousands of married couples across America may be sitting on unclaimed money without realizing it. The Internal Revenue Service identified a significant pool of taxpayers who never claimed their 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, worth up to $2,800 for married couples filing jointly. This isn’t new stimulus money – it’s previously approved funds that eligible couples simply never collected.

The discovery emerged from IRS internal reviews showing that approximately one million tax returns had blank or incorrect entries where the Recovery Rebate Credit should have appeared. Many couples who qualified for the third round of pandemic relief payments either missed claiming them entirely or received less than their full entitlement. Now, the agency is automatically issuing these payments to eligible households through early 2025.

For married couples who missed out, this represents substantial money. The maximum $2,800 applies to couples who were eligible for the full $1,400 per person under the American Rescue Plan but never received it.(New Upcoming payment) Families with dependents could see even more – up to $5,600 for a couple with two children who qualified but never claimed their payments.

Determining Your Eligibility Status

The qualification rules mirror those from the original 2021 stimulus program, creating confusion for couples whose circumstances have changed since then. Your 2021 tax return determines eligibility, not your current situation. Couples who filed jointly that year with adjusted gross income below $150,000 qualify for the full amount. The payment phases out gradually, disappearing entirely at $160,000.

Several situations commonly led to missed payments. Couples who married in 2021 but hadn’t updated their filing status often received single payments instead of the married amount. Those who had a child in 2021 might have missed the additional $1,400 dependent payment. Non-filers who didn’t submit returns that year, believing they had no tax obligation, left money on the table.

The IRS is particularly focused on couples where one spouse had an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number rather than a Social Security Number. Previous stimulus rounds excluded these mixed-status families, but the rules changed for the 2021 payment. Many never realized they’d become eligible and didn’t claim their funds.

Automatic Payments Versus Filing Requirements

Lucky couples whose information shows clear eligibility are receiving automatic payments without lifting a finger. The IRS sends these directly to bank accounts listed on 2023 tax returns or mails checks to addresses on file. A separate letter notifies recipients about the payment, though many report the money arriving before the explanation.

However, couples who haven’t filed 2021 returns face a ticking clock. The deadline to claim these funds by filing a 2021 return is April 15, 2025. Missing this date means forfeiting the money permanently. Even couples with minimal income that year must file to claim their payment. The IRS won’t extend this deadline regardless of circumstances.

Some couples discover they received partial payments in 2021 but not the full amount. Perhaps they got $2,000 instead of $2,800 due to income calculation errors. These households should receive the difference automatically if the IRS identifies the discrepancy.

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New Upcoming payment Taking Action Before Time Runs Out

Couples uncertain about their payment status should check their IRS online account immediately. The system shows all Economic Impact Payments received, helping identify any gaps. Those who discover missing payments must act quickly, as tax preparers get overwhelmed near the April deadline.

Free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program can help eligible couples file past returns. Online software often allows filing prior-year returns at no cost for simple situations. The key is starting now rather than waiting until April approaches.

Remember, this represents the absolute last chance to claim 2021 stimulus funds. Once the deadline passes, that $2,800 becomes permanently inaccessible.