If you've been searching for news about IRS payments in 2025, hoping that Uncle Sam might deposit some extra cash into your account, you're likely to be disappointed. No new IRS automatic stimulus payments are due in 2025. However, the tax authorities did send Recovery Rebate Credit payments to about a million taxpayers between late 2024 and early 2025. Understanding these past programs can help you avoid missing future payments and improve your handling of taxes.
What IRS Special Payments Are Currently Available in 2025?
The IRS wrapped up its automatic payment program early this year, and the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit deadline passed on April 15, 2025. Despite some rumors, as of September 2025, no new IRS stimulus checks exist. Many state programs are still running, but the federal stimulus has ended, and Congress hasn't approved any new federal stimulus packages.
Recovery Rebate Credit Automatic Payments
During the winter of 2024-2025, the IRS ran a one-time program for people who missed out on claiming credits. By reviewing records and spotting these missed opportunities, the agency found about a million taxpayers who qualified but either left the section blank or entered zero on 2021 returns.
The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit followed the third-stimulus rules: you had to be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, not be claimable as someone else's dependent, and have a valid Social Security number (SSN) for anyone you were claiming (an adoption taxpayer identification number was allowed for adopted children). Dependents of any age could qualify. On joint returns, one-SSN households could still get $1,400 for the SSN-holder plus $1,400 per qualifying dependent.
Recipients weren't required to verify their stimulus check eligibility or submit any paperwork or amended returns — the money simply arrived via direct deposit or paper check by late January 2025, along with letters of explanation. Payments hit $1,400 per person max, costing about $2.4 billion in total. For the full $1,400, single filers needed income under $75,000, married couples under $150,000, and higher earners got reduced payments.
If you closed your bank account after filing your 2023 return, the bank sent the money back to the IRS, which then mailed a check to your address. You'd also have received a letter explaining the payment, so you wouldn't have been confused about unexpected money appearing in your account. This paperwork helped clarify why you got paid and how they figured the amount.
Child Tax Credit Updates and Payments
The Child Tax Credit has changed since 2021. Back then, families could get up to $3,600 per child. Puerto Rico families owing no taxes could claim it by filing until April 15, 2025, even with minimal income. However, that deadline has now passed.
For 2025, there's mixed news. The credit jumped from $2,000 to $2,200 per child, rising with inflation from 2026, but now both the child and at least one parent need an SSN to qualify. This rule could disqualify roughly 2.7 million American children, meaning you should be wary of preparers promising huge refunds or charging refund percentages.
Earned Income Tax Credit Special Distributions
Unlike the Recovery Rebate Credit, there are no automatic Earned Income Tax Credit special distributions. Still, this credit can help if you have a modest income. For 2024 taxes, you could get: $632 with no kids; $4,213 with one child; $6,960 with two kids; or $7,830 with three or more children.
Your investment income must stay under $11,600 for the 2024 tax year, and the IRS will remind you about these credits during the 2025 filing season, helping you ensure you claim your money.
What To Do if You Haven't Filed Recent Tax Returns
The deadline for claiming 2021 Recovery Rebate Credits was April 15, 2025. The IRS warned taxpayers who hadn't filed their 2021 returns that they needed to submit by that date to secure any credits or refunds, so it's too late to do anything about it now. If you did miss the cutoff date, you're not alone. More than $1 billion in 2021 tax refunds went unclaimed by approximately 1.1 million taxpayers.
Professional Tax Guidance for Complex Situations
The automatic payment program has ended, but you may still have questions about your taxes. Professionals can help you tackle these. If you're self-employed, run a business, have multiple income streams, own rentals, or are facing an audit, we can help you spot missed deductions and credits, handle complexity, and save you hours of work. Contact our qualified tax professionals at Pasquesi Sheppard in Lake Forest, Illinois, for guidance on current opportunities and future planning. We'll help you navigate your taxes and avoid costly mistakes.