How to Get Your Recovery Rebate Tax Credit (Stimulus Payment Check)

You may have hundreds of dollars (or more) in free money coming to you from the IRS. The US Government has millions of stimulus checks -- also known as tax credit rebates, rebate checks, stimulus payments, recovery rebates, and various other names -- waiting to be sent out. If your tax situation has changed significantly from the prior year due to a drop in income, a new baby in the family, the addition of other dependents, or for several other reasons, then you may be eligible to get a rebate check. Here's how to know for certain.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• File your 1040 (or equivalent) with the IRS

1. **Check on the Recovery Rebate Credit**
   
   Do a Google search for [ Recovery Rebate Credit Information Center ]. This will take you to the IRS web page that explains in full who will be eligible to receive stimulus payments (from prior year's taxes) based on your current circumstances.

2. **Examine your eligibility**
   
   Eligibility for last year's payments in this current tax filing year depends largely on changes in your circumstances from one year to the next. In a nutshell, you may be eligible if any of the following apply:
   
   --You didn't receive a stimulus payment last year
   
   --You received less than the maximum stimulus payments, and now your qualifying income has changed
   
   --You have a baby or a new child in the family
   
   --There is a new dependent in the household
   
   --You did not have a valid Social Security number last year, but have one now.

3. **Use the IRS Calculator**
   
   The IRS will be creating an online calculator that can be used to determine how much of a recovery rebate credit you are entitled to receive. Search Google for [ Recovery Rebate Calculator ] in order to get directly to the appropriate webpage.

Tips & Warnings

• The IRS can figure your rebate amount for you. BUT...you have to file a 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ in order for them to do so.