No, you do not have to have a dependent to get the recovery rebate credit. But if you can be claimed as someone else's dependent you are not eligible to receive the credit. You can use the recovery rebate credit in Federal Review if you did NOT receive the $1400 stimulus check in 2021. The credit will show up on line 30 of your Form 1040. If you make a mistake, the IRS checks every return with an amount on line 30 and they correct the mistake for you.