(Washington, D.C.) - You may have a check coming right to your doorstep. It’s not from Publisher’s Clearinghouse, but from an even more unlikely source: the IRS.

 

About one million taxpayers are due to receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in coming weeks. The refund is for people who did not claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. In other words, people who missed one of the COVID stimulus payments, or received less than they were due.

 

The department explained the situation in a statement put out just before Christmas:

 

“The IRS continues to work hard to make improvements and help taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “These payments are an example of our commitment to go the extra mile for taxpayers. Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible. To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it.”

 

About $2.4 billion is being distributed in total, but the IRS advises not to get your hopes up. Most taxpayers who were eligible for stimulus money have already received it. If the IRS owes you money, a refund will be sent via mail or direct deposit by late January.