evidence: The federal stimulus money sent to millions of Americans over the past year is tax-free, but filing a 2020 return could help the estimated 8 million people who may have been eligible for a payment but missed out because the IRS had no way of reaching them. An online portal that allowed them to input their bank account information is no longer available – but they can file a 2020 return and claim the refundable Recovery Rebate Credit to receive the money. More than 2 million people have already gotten a new stimulus payment by filing a 2020 return, according to the IRS. Even those who did receive a stimulus payment could be eligible for more money once they file their 2020 return. Because stimulus checks were calculated using 2018 or 2019 income, those who lost their job in 2020 or otherwise saw their income fall from the year before may be able to claim some extra cash on their return and receive what the IRS is calling a "plus-up payment."