IRS Letter 6475: Review this document before reporting your stimulus payments
Reporting stimulus payments for tax year 2021 will look a little different this tax season. To help taxpayers report the correct amount, the IRS will begin to send out a new type of document in late January: IRS Letter 6475.
Why should you wait for your Letter 6475 before filing? Using the figures in this specific document will not only help you report your 2021 stimulus payment correctly—it will also help you avoid significant tax return and refund processing delays.
What is IRS Letter 6475?
IRS Letter 6475 is the official way the Internal Revenue Service is recording your 2021 Economic Impact Payment (EIP, also known as a stimulus payment).
Similar to a tax form, the letter will:
- outline your personal information, specifically your name and address, and
- show the total 2021 EIP amount the IRS issued you
Anyone who received a 2021 stimulus payment will be sent letter 6475.
Is letter 6475 really needed to file? Can’t I use my bank statement or IRS Letter 1444-C?
We encourage you to use your letter 6475 before filing taxes for 2021 vs. using other documents. Having the wrong amount on your return could trigger a manual review of your return, which could delay your return – and refund for weeks.
While you may have received a Letter 1444-C after receiving your stimulus payment, that’s not the document the IRS recommends you use prepare your tax return.
What if I can’t find my Letter 6475?
If you’re ready to file, but don’t have your letter, there is an alternative. You can create an ID.me account to verify the details from the letter.
Here’s how to check your Economic Impact Payment:
- Create a new ID.me account (if you don’t have one) by going to: https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account
- Click Sign into your Online Account
- Click ID.me Create New Account
- Follow the on-screen instructions to provide information to set up the secure ID.me account. Note that users may be asked to create a live video of themselves (using phone or webcam) and/or upload photo identification. For help, visit the ID.me help page.
Once you’ve created an ID.me account, you can access your online account at the link directly above.
What should you do with IRS Letter 6475?
Once you receive your letter, you will use the amount shown on your Recovery Rebate Worksheet to determine if any credit applies.
If you use H&R Block Online, it will prompt you to enter this amount as part of your tax prep.
“I’m not required to file taxes. Is there a benefit to reporting this money?”
In short, the reason is more money.
For example:
- If you believe you didn’t receive the full stimulus payment amount that you were due, you can file a 2021 federal income tax return to claim the additional money. This is known as a Recovery Rebate Credit.
- You may be entitled to a refundable credit, such as a Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit. That means, when you file, you’ll get money back. But the catch is, you have to actually file a return.
Get help filing your IRS Letter 6475 and getting back dollars you deserve
Whether you choose to file taxes online or file with an H&R Block tax pro, or Block Advisors tax pro, we can help you report the advance payments you received in 2021 and help you claim any other credits or deductions you’re entitled to.
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