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The following are some factors that may affect eligibility for the recovery rebate credit.
Income change: Some people may have received less than the full economic stimulus payment in 2008, $600 for single filers or $1,200 for married filers, because their qualifying or gross incomes were either too high or too low.
A change in income could make a filer eligible for more of the credit in 2009.
Addition of a child: Filers could get an additional $300 for the birth or adoption of a child in 2008.
Social Security and veterans' benefits recipients: If a retiree or veteran did not receive at least $3,000 in qualifying benefits in 2007 but did collect at least that amount in 2008, he or she may be eligible.
No longer a dependent: Individuals who were claimed or could be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return in 2007 but who cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return in 2008 may now be eligible.
Social Security number: Individuals who did not have a valid Social Security number in 2007 but received one in 2008 may now be eligible.
There is a section on the IRS website that will guide you through the process of determining if you are eligible for an additional payment. You can go to the Recovery Rebate Credit Information Center to access these interactive tools.
