Millions of Americans received economic impact payments, commonly known as stimulus checks, during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a significant number of individuals found themselves in a confusing situation, wondering how to claim missing stimulus checks. If you believe you were eligible for one or more of these payments but never received them, don’t despair. There’s a clear process to follow to secure the funds you are entitled to.
Understanding Stimulus Checks and Eligibility
Before you begin the process to claim missing stimulus checks, it’s crucial to understand which payments were issued and the general eligibility criteria. There were three rounds of Economic Impact Payments:
First Payment: Up to $1,200 per eligible adult and $500 per qualifying child, authorized by the CARES Act in March 2020.
Second Payment: Up to $600 per eligible adult and $600 per qualifying child, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, in December 2020.
Third Payment: Up to $1,400 per eligible adult and $1,400 per qualifying child or dependent, authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in March 2021.
Eligibility for each payment generally depended on your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your most recent tax return (usually 2019 or 2020, depending on the payment round), your filing status, and whether you were claimed as a dependent by someone else. You typically needed a valid Social Security number.
First Steps: Check Your Payment Status
The very first action to take when trying to claim missing stimulus checks is to verify if and when your payments were sent. The IRS provided an online tool for this purpose.
Using the Get My Payment Tool (Now Limited)
Initially, the IRS’s ‘Get My Payment’ tool allowed individuals to check the status of their first and second stimulus payments. While this tool may no longer provide real-time updates for all payments, it was a primary resource. For the third payment, taxpayers could typically find information through their IRS online account.
Review Your IRS Online Account
If you have an IRS online account, log in to access your tax records. This account provides information about your Economic Impact Payments received. This is often the most reliable way to confirm the amounts and dates of any stimulus payments issued to you.
Check Your Mail for IRS Notices
The IRS sent notices (Notice 1444, Notice 1444-B, and Notice 1444-C) after each stimulus payment was issued. These notices confirm the amount you received and how it was sent. Keep these records as they are vital for reconciliation.
What If the IRS Tool Doesn’t Work?
Sometimes, the online tools might not provide the information you need, or you might encounter an error message. This doesn’t mean you’re out of luck in your quest to claim missing stimulus checks.
Review Your Tax Returns
Examine your filed tax returns for the years 2020 and 2021. The Recovery Rebate Credit, which is how missing stimulus checks are claimed, would be reported on these returns. If you claimed the credit, you should see it calculated on your tax form.
Contact the IRS Directly (Last Resort)
While the IRS urges taxpayers to use online resources first, if you’ve exhausted all other options and still cannot determine the status of your missing stimulus checks, you may need to contact them directly. Be prepared for potentially long wait times and have all your personal and tax information ready.
Claiming Missing Stimulus Checks: The Recovery Rebate Credit
The primary method for claiming any missing stimulus checks is through the Recovery Rebate Credit. This credit is claimed on your federal income tax return. The first and second stimulus payments were advance payments of the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, while the third payment was an advance of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.
Eligibility for the Recovery Rebate Credit
You may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit if:
You did not receive the full amount of the first, second, or third Economic Impact Payments you were entitled to.
Your circumstances changed in 2020 or 2021 (e.g., you had a new child, your income decreased, or you were no longer claimed as a dependent) that would make you eligible for a larger payment than initially calculated based on prior year’s tax data.
It’s important to note that the credit is calculated based on your 2020 tax information for the first two payments and your 2021 tax information for the third payment.
How to File or Amend Your Tax Return for the Recovery Rebate Credit
To claim missing stimulus checks via the Recovery Rebate Credit, you must file a 2020 or 2021 tax return, even if you don’t usually need to file.
Filing an Original Tax Return
If you haven’t filed your 2020 or 2021 tax return yet, you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit directly on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. There’s a dedicated line on these forms to calculate and claim the credit. Be sure to use the correct tax year’s form.
Amending a Previously Filed Tax Return
If you already filed your 2020 or 2021 tax return but did not claim the full Recovery Rebate Credit you were entitled to, you will need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You will need to explain the changes you are making, which would be to claim the missing stimulus checks as the Recovery Rebate Credit.
What to Do If You Don’t Normally File Taxes
Many individuals who don’t typically file a tax return because their income is below the filing threshold were eligible for stimulus checks. If this applies to you, you still need to file a 2020 or 2021 tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any missing stimulus checks.
Using Free File Options
The IRS offers Free File options for taxpayers below certain income thresholds. These services can help you prepare and file your return at no cost, allowing you to correctly claim your missing stimulus checks.
Seek Assistance
If you need help, consider seeking assistance from IRS-certified volunteers through programs like Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). These programs offer free tax help to qualified individuals.
Common Reasons for Missing Payments
Understanding why you might have missing stimulus checks can help you navigate the process:
Changes in Address: If the IRS had an old address on file, a check might have been sent to the wrong location.
Direct Deposit Issues: Incorrect bank account information or closed accounts could lead to bounced payments.
Eligibility Changes: Your eligibility might have changed between when the IRS pulled data and when the payment was issued (e.g., a new dependent).
New Tax Filer: If you didn’t file taxes in 2018 or 2019, the IRS might not have had your information.
Deceased Individuals: Payments erroneously sent to deceased individuals needed to be returned.
Claimed as a Dependent: If someone else claimed you as a dependent, you generally weren’t eligible for your own payment.
Conclusion
It can be frustrating to realize you have missing stimulus checks, but the process to claim them is clear and accessible. By understanding your eligibility, reviewing your records, and utilizing the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, you can successfully secure the economic impact payments you are owed. Don’t delay in taking action; gather your documents and file the necessary tax return to claim your funds today.