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If you’re hoping that 2022 will bring another round of stimulus checks, you’ll almost certainly be disappointed. The economy is booming. Inflation is soaring. That means Congress isn’t exactly itching to dole out more free money.
But you may still have stimulus cash coming for you when you file your 2021 tax return. Here’s why: The $1,400 stimulus checks that went out in spring 2021 were an advance on a temporary 2021 tax credit. But because of the urgency of the situation, the IRS was directed to get us that money ASAP. So it used 2020 tax returns to process payments, or 2019 returns for people whose 2020 returns had yet to be processed.
That means if your tax situation changed through the course of the year, you could get stimulus money if your 2021 return shows that you’re eligible.
6 Reasons You Could Get Stimulus Money With Your 2021 Refund
If one or more of these scenarios apply, you might get more coronavirus money by submitting a tax return. And relax: You won’t owe more at tax time or get a smaller refund as the result of receiving a check.
1. You’ve Never Filed a Tax Return
If you’ve never filed taxes, submitting a tax return will likely unlock $1,400 for you, plus any dependents. Note that this will only apply if you didn’t use the non-filer tool to qualify for any of the three rounds of stimulus checks.
You can submit a tax return even if you aren’t required to do so. There are plenty of free tax filing options you can choose from. If you didn’t have earned income for the year, you can simply enter $0 for your income. Some e-filing programs won’t allow you to report $0 of income, though. If that’s the case, enter $1 instead.
2. You’re No Longer Claimed as a Dependent
Attention, Class of 2021: If your parents or someone else claimed you as a dependent in 2020 but they didn’t in 2021, you could get a $1,400 credit provided that you file a tax return.
Generally, you can be claimed as a dependent if…
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