January 2, 2022
How Can I Get My Stimulus Payment?
How Can I Get My Stimulus Payment?
The IRS has issued all of the first, second, and third Economic Impact Payments. The best solution is the Recovery Rebate Credit if you did not receive one, two, or three of the payments or received less than you are entitled to.
Who qualifies for Recovery Rebate Credit?
U.S. Citizens, Permanent Resident, or Qualifying Resident Aliens with a social security number (SSN) who did not receive one or more stimulus checks (EIP) can receive their stimulus money by filing a return and requesting a Recovery Rebate Credit. A taxpayer must file a 2020 return to receive the first and second payments and a 2021 return for the third payment, even if you are not required to file. These same taxpayers may also recover money if they received less than the full amount of the stimulus funds they should have received through the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Note: Only those considered a "resident" or U.S. Citizens (including U.S. Territories) are entitled to Economic Impact Payment (EIP).
Note: Each taxpayer must have an SSN to receive a stimulus payment with one exception. One taxpayer is in the military, and the other taxpayer has an ITIN number
A person is considered a Resident Alien if you pass either the Green Card or Substantial Presence Tests:
The Green Card Test
You are considered a Green Card Holder or Permanent Resident if you are authorized to permanently work and live in the U.S. and are considered a resident alien for tax purposes.
The Substantial Presence Test
A person is considered a resident alien if you spend 31 days in the U.S. during the current year or 183 days during the three-year period that includes the current year and the two years immediately before that.
It is important to understand there are exemptions for time spent in transit (less than 24 hours in the U.S.), during which the person could not leave because the person required medical treatment. Teachers and students (on F, J, M, or Q visas) who haven't stayed in the U.S. beyond a certain period of time.
If you visited the U.S. to live, study, or work as a non-resident international student or J-1 program participant and do not pass the Substantial Presence Test, you will not be entitled to benefit from the CARES Act.
If you received a check or payment in error, follow the instructions under FAQ to return the payment.
Note: Incarcerated individuals were not excluded if all eligibility requirements were met.
The Recovery Rebate Credit referred to as the Stimulus Check Tax Credit, is a method of correcting any missed or less than authorized taxpayers' Economic Impact (stimulus) Payments (EIP).
The IRS sent the first round of EIP in 2020, based on information from the 2019 or 2018 tax returns.
The IRS sent out a second round of EIP in January 2021, based on information from 2019 tax returns.
The IRS also sent out the third round of EIP in March 2021, based on information from 2019 or 2020 tax returns.
You may have received less than the full amount you were entitled to the following reasons:
- Your filing status changed from that of the return used for the calculation.
- The number of children you are currently claiming is different from the return used for the calculation.
- Your income increased or decreased from the return used for the calculation.
Suppose you are eligible for a larger EIP amount for first and second-round payments based on your 2020 tax return. In that case, you are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit, which increases your refund or decreases the amount you owe with your 2020 return. The amount of the Recovery Rebate Credit is calculated as the amount of EIP you qualify for minus the EIP you received.
Suppose you are eligible for a larger EIP amount for the third round of payments based on your 2021 tax return. In that case, you are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit, which increases your refund or decreases the amount you owe with your 2021 return. The amount of the Recovery Rebate Credit is calculated as the amount of EIP you qualify for minus the EIP you received.
How Do I Find Out Which Payments I Received?
To determine the amount of the Economic Impact Payments received, check:
Your Online Account: Securely access the records page of the IRS individual online account to view your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the "Economic Impact Payment Information" section.
IRS EIP letters: The IRS mailed these letters to their address on file.
- Notice 1444: This Shows the first Economic Impact Payment sent for the tax year 2020
- Notice 1444-B: This shows the second Economic Impact Payment sent for the tax year 2020
- Notice 1444-C: This shows the third Economic Impact Payment sent for the tax year 2021
Letter 6475: In early 2022, IRS sent letter 6475 confirming the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payment and any plus-up payments received for the tax year 2021.
Get My Payment: You can use the Get My Payment section of the IRS’ website to check the status of your third EIP payment. The first and second payment information is no longer available in the Get My Payment section. See First and Second Payment Status.
If you need help using Get My Payment section, visit Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions. Don't call the IRS. Their phone assistors don't have information beyond what's available on IRS.gov.
How can I determine the amount of the Economic Impact Payment (EIP) received in 2021?
If you received your third EIP in 2021, below are the ways you can determine how much you received:
- Review the IRS Notice 1444-C that you should have received shortly after the payment was sent in the mail.
- Look at your bank statement for a payment with the code "TREAS 310 (note this payment may not be the full amount if there were Treasury Offsets).
What do I do if I did not file my 2020 taxes?
The IRS used the information from 2020 tax returns to determine the amount of the third round of EIP. What if you did not file a 2020 tax return? In that case, you might have received a stimulus payment based on the IRS's information from your 2019 tax return or any social security or veterans benefits you receive. If you are entitled to a larger amount than the IRS sent you, you may be able to claim the difference as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return.
What do I do if I did not file my 2019 taxes?
The IRS used the information from 2018 and 2019 tax returns to determine the first and second rounds of EIP. What if you did not file a 2019 tax return? In that case, you might have received a stimulus payment based on the IRS's information from your 2018 tax return or any social security or veterans benefits you receive. If you are entitled to a larger amount than the IRS sent you, you may be able to claim the difference as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return.
What do you do if you did not receive either the first or second EIP and you feel that I am entitled?
If the IRS did not send you either the first or second EIP and you feel your are entitled, you will need to file a 2020 return and claim the missing payments as a Recovery Rebate Credit.
What if you didn't receive the first or second round of Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payments and you already filed a 2020 return and did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit?
If you didn't receive EIP 1 or 2 or are entitled to a larger amount than the IRS sent, you may qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 tax return. If you did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on the original return filed for 2020, you must file an amended return.
How will I receive the Recovery Rebate Credit?
The credit will be determined on your tax return, so it will either come in the form of a larger tax refund or lower tax due. How you will receive the funds will depend on your preference for receiving the tax refund, either through direct deposit or a check in the mail.
Is the Recovery Rebate Credit refundable?
The credit is refundable. A refundable credit is a credit that will reduce your tax or add to your refund even if you don't have any tax liability at all. So if your credit is more than your tax liability, you can get the excess amount as a refund. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable credit.
For example, if your tax calculation comes out to a $1,800 liability and you have a refundable credit of $2,400, your tax liability would be reduced to zero, and you would receive the extra $600 as a refund.
Can the Recovery Rebate Credit be garnished?
The Recovery Rebate Credit is subject to garnished. Those who owe back taxes or other debts (such as unpaid child support) may have their credit reduced to pay these fees.
The original payments (EIP 1, 2, or 3) were not subject to a Treasury Offset. Still, the Recovery Rebate Credit is subject to a Treasury Offset because it is delivered as part of a return which is subject to garnishment.
If a taxpayer passed away in 2021 or 2020, can they still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit?
As long as the correct preparer of the taxes (surviving spouse or representative) files the deceased's final tax return for either 2020 or 2021, the Recovery Rebate Credit can be received.
What if I didn't receive the third round of Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payment?
If you didn't receive EIP3 or are entitled to a larger amount than the IRS sent, you may qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 tax return.
Frequently Asked Questions
I received a check, but it was lost, stolen, or destroyed. How can I get a new one?
IRS says I received a payment; how can I trace the payment?
Can I transfer money from my EIP card to my bank account?
What do I do if my prepaid EIP card is lost or destroyed?
If I have additional questions about EIP cards, where can I go for answers?
Why did I receive a letter indicating I hadn't activated a debit card for the stimulus payment?
Can the IRS reissue a check?
Will the Economic Impact Payment affect the benefits I receive?
How do I avoid scams related to the Economic Impact Payment or Covid-19?
Check out many other questions on IRS' site
Where to return the payment?
If you live in:
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Vermont, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Andover Refund Inquiry Unit,
310 Lowell St Mail Stop 666A,
Andover, MA 01810
Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, or Virginia, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Atlanta Refund Inquiry Unit,
4800 Buford Hwy,
Mail Stop 112,
Chamblee, GA 30341
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, or Texas, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Austin Refund Inquiry Unit,
3651 S Interregional Hwy 35,
Mail Stop 6542,
Austin, TX 78741
New York:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Brookhaven Refund Inquiry Unit,
5000 Corporate Ct.
Mail Stop 547,
Holtsville, NY 11742
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Fresno Refund Inquiry Unit,
5045 E Butler Avenue,
Mail Stop B2007
Fresno, CA 93888
Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, or West Virginia, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Kansas City Refund Inquiry Unit,
333 W Pershing Rd,
Mail Stop 6800, N-2,
Kansas City, MO 64108
Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, or Tennessee, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Memphis Refund Inquiry Unit,
5333 Getwell Rd
Mail Stop 8422,
Memphis, TN 38118
District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, or Rhode Island, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Philadelphia Refund Inquiry Unit,
2970 Market St,
DP 3-L08-151,
Philadelphia, PA 19104
A foreign country, U.S. possession or territory*, or use an APO or FPO address, or file Form 2555 or 4563, or are a dual-status alien, return the payment to:
Return the payment with a cover letter to:
Austin Refund Inquiry Unit,
3651 S Interregional Hwy 35,
Mail Stop 6542 AUSC,
Austin, TX 78741
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