How to get stimulus cash from IRS

First-time filers and those who usually don’t file a federal return can file for 2020 in order to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, a new refundable credit under the CARES Act and the COVID-related Tax Relief Act.

The IRS in a statement said most individuals eligible for the credits have already gotten them in two rounds of payments, known as Economic Impact Payments. All of those EIPs were distributed in 2020 though the second automatic bank transfer was accessible just after the New Year.

People who were eligible but did not get the first or second EIP (or received less than the full amounts) may be eligible to claim the credits by filing a 2020 federal tax return. The IRS is offering free options to prepare and file a return.

“Taxpayers with incomes of $72,000 or less, can use brand-name software to prepare and file their federal tax returns electronically for free with IRS Free File,” the agency said in a statement.

The free file option also can be used by people who are only filing a tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. It is the only free file option by the IRS available for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is greater than $72,000.

Free File can be found online at irs.gov/filing/ free-file-do-your-federaltaxes-for-free