IRS Stimulus Checks: Latest Updates, How To Claim Missing Checks

Most eligible individuals have already received the three IRS stimulus checks issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if you haven’t yet received one or more payments, there’s still time to claim them.

Read on to learn more about important deadlines to claim your stimulus checks, eligibility requirements, and the latest updates from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Latest Updates on the IRS Stimulus Checks

The IRS has recently released a statement for eligible people who haven’t yet claimed their IRS stimulus checks in 2023 or 2024. One requirement is to file your tax return for the year 2020 to claim your payment. The deadline for the same is May 17, 2024.

Even if your income was non-existent or minimal, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit once you file a tax return. You can also claim your 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit if you file your tax return for the year 2021 before April 15, 2025.

It’s also important to note that if you haven’t yet filed a return for 2020, you may be overlooking a tax refund, which won’t be available after May 17.

What Are IRS Stimulus Checks?

IRS stimulus checks were direct payments issued by the agency to qualifying Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The payments, known as Economic Impact Payments (EIP), were made through paper checks or direct deposit and were issued in three rounds.

The stimulus program included a check of $1,200 for individuals ($2,400 for married couples) during the first round. The second Economic Impact Payment was $600 for individuals, $1,200 for couples, and $600 for each qualifying child.

The third round of Economic Impact Payment was $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for married couples.

Who Is Eligible To Receive an IRS Stimulus Check?

To receive the IRS stimulus check, you must have been a U.S. citizen or resident alien in 2020 and 2021. You must also not have been a dependent on another taxpayer’s return and must have a Social Security number.

Other eligibility requirements include having an adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 for individual tax filers and $150,000 for married filing joint returns to receive the full amount. The payment amount is reduced by $5 for every $100 above the specified income thresholds.

Social Security recipients and railroad retirees are also eligible for the IRS stimulus check, even if they aren’t generally required to file a tax return.

If you’re a single filer with an income of more than $99,000 or a joint filer without children and an income of more than $198,000, you won’t be eligible.

“The nice thing about the IRS stimulus is, if you filed your 2020 tax return and met the qualifications, you would have received the stimulus automatically,” says Teresa Dodson, founder of Greenbacks Consulting and debt expert. 

How To Check the Status of Your IRS Stimulus Check

You can access your IRS online account and navigate to the Tax Records page to view the amounts of your three IRS stimulus checks.

The tax Records page has all the information about the full amounts you were eligible for so you can determine whether you’re missing a payment or haven’t received the full amount.

IRS Stimulus Check Tracker

The IRS had an application tracker, Get My Payment, that allowed you to check your payment status. However, this tracker is no longer available.

Contact the IRS

There are several options to get in touch with the IRS, depending on what you need help with. The IRS.gov website is where you’ll be able to access your online account. You can also use the website to check your refund, IRS stimulus check, child tax credit, and more.

For other issues, you can call the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) at 877-777-4778 or set up an appointment to visit your local TAS office. You can also call the IRS helpline for individuals at 800-829-1040.

How To Claim a Missing Stimulus Check

If you’re missing an IRS stimulus check, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit. Once you determine the full amount you were eligible for, you can file your 2020 or 2021 federal tax return to claim the credit.

Use the Official Missing Stimulus Check Form (IRS Form 3911)

If the IRS has issued a payment but you have lost it, you can call 800-919-9835 to start a payment trace.

Another option is to fill out Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, and fax or mail it to the IRS.

Update Your Address Information

If you’re expecting to receive a paper check from the IRS but your address has changed, there are several ways to notify the IRS:

• File your tax return with your new address.
• Send a written statement to the IRS with your full name, Social Security number, ITIN or EIN, and old and new addresses.
• Use Form 8822, Change of Address, to update your address.
• Call 800-829-1040 to verify your identity and update your address.

Get Your IRS Stimulus Check

There’s still time to file your return for the tax year 2020 to claim your IRS stimulus check. With the deadline fast approaching on May 17, 2024, it’s important to file as soon as possible.

There’s no penalty to claim a refund on a tax return you file late. Your Recovery Rebate Credit doesn’t count as income, so it won’t impact your eligibility for financial assistance programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).