There were no new federal Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) authorized by Congress in 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025. The last federal stimulus payment authorized by Congress was the third Economic Impact Payment issued under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
However, in late 2024 and early 2025, the IRS issued payments to certain taxpayers who were eligible for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit but had not properly claimed it on their previously filed 2021 tax returns. These payments were not a new stimulus program and did not create a new credit. Instead, they represented previously unclaimed amounts related to the 2021 Economic Impact Payment.
Key Points:
- 2022: No new federal stimulus payments were authorized or issued. Taxpayers could still claim eligible tax credits and deductions through the normal tax filing process.
- 2023: No new federal stimulus payments were authorized or issued. Refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and Premium Tax Credit (PTC) remained available to eligible taxpayers.
- 2024: No new federal stimulus payments were authorized by Congress. However, the IRS announced special payments for certain taxpayers who had filed 2021 tax returns but had not properly claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit for which they were eligible.
- 2025: No new federal stimulus payments were authorized by Congress. The IRS continued processing certain Recovery Rebate Credit payments related to eligible taxpayers' previously filed 2021 returns.
Important Distinction:
- Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) were separate from regular tax refunds and refundable tax credits.
- Tax refunds received because of credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), American Opportunity Credit (AOTC), or Premium Tax Credit (PTC) are not considered stimulus payments.
- Recovery Rebate Credit payments issued by the IRS in connection with the 2021 Economic Impact Payment were not a new stimulus program; they were payments of previously available benefits that eligible taxpayers had not properly claimed.
Additional Notes:
- Taxpayers who had not filed a 2021 tax return generally needed to file that return by the applicable deadline to claim any remaining Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021.
- The IRS cannot generally determine eligibility for a Recovery Rebate Credit for taxpayers who never filed a 2021 return.
- For current tax years, financial assistance is generally available through deductions, refundable credits, and other tax benefits rather than through federal stimulus payment programs.
Disclaimer: Always verify information with official Federal or State Department of Revenue Forms and Instructions.