No, you generally cannot get a 2020 stimulus check anymore, as the deadline to claim the associated Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return (for the first and second checks) passed on April 15, 2024, and the IRS has completed issuing payments. While the IRS sent some final payments for those who claimed the credit by the April 2025 deadline, the opportunity to file a return to claim missing 2020 stimulus payments is over.
Historical content – the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit
The deadline to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for the first and second stimulus checks was May 17, 2024. While you can no longer claim these payments, below describes who may have needed to file to get these stimulus checks.
Yes, it is too late to claim any COVID-19 stimulus money, as the final deadline to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (the third stimulus payment) passed on April 15, 2025, and earlier deadlines for the first two payments also expired. The IRS only allows a three-year window to file for refunds and credits, meaning you can no longer claim these missed payments by filing old tax returns.
If you did not receive the first or second Economic Impact Payment, or received a partial payment, you can still claim your full amount. According to the IRS, you should file a 2020 tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
If you paid some of your taxes after that date OR you had a 2020 extension, you have even longer. You can file an amended return up to 3 years after you filed your original return (or 2 years after you paid your taxes, if longer) or April 15, 2024, whichever is longer.
If you submitted your 2020 tax return by the April 15, 2021 deadline, you have until April 15, 2024, to file an amended return for potential additional refunds.
Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system, or speak with a representative by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation). However, if you filed a married filing jointly return, you can't initiate a trace using the automated systems.
Stimulus checks – The period to claim unpaid Economic Impact Payments has ended. In December 2024, the IRS sent payments to people who didn't receive them or claim the Recovery Rebate credit by April 2025. Read about the IRS' payments of the recovery rebate credit.
First and Second Stimulus Check
You will need to file a tax return for Tax Year 2020 (which you file in 2021). The deadline to file your taxes was last October 15, 2021. If you missed the October 2021 filing deadline, you can still file your tax return to get your first and second stimulus checks.
2021 Credit (Third Stimulus Payment):
Up to $1,400 per eligible adult. Claim deadline: April 15, 2025 (expired)
What you need to do
You're eligible for the credit if you're a U.S. citizen or resident alien, not a dependent of another taxpayer, have a valid Social Security number, and didn't receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments.
April 15th is Tax Day for 2024 returns but it also marks a three-year deadline to claim any tax refunds or in this case, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for that year — 2021.
Filing deadlines if you haven't yet filed a tax return
To claim the: 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, file a tax return by May 17, 2024. 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, file a tax return by April 15, 2025.
Securely access your IRS online account to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the Tax Records page. You can no longer use the Get My Payment application to check your payment status.
When is the deadline to receive a stimulus check? The IRS typically only allows you to file an old return and get a refund within three years, so April 15, 2025, was the last chance to get any outstanding 2021 credit.
Didn't get the full first and second payments? Claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. You may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit by filing a 2020 tax return. For the latest updates, check IRS.gov/coronavirus.
the first Economic Impact Payment was $1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly) plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020; and.
You can no longer claim the first or second stimulus payment(s) on a 2020 or tax return since that expired on May 17, 2024. If you did not receive your third stimulus check, this is to be claimed on your 2021 Tax Return as the Recovery Rebate Credit or RRC.
The IRS 7-year rule primarily applies to keeping records for claiming a deduction for bad debts or losses from worthless securities, allowing a longer period to file for a credit or refund, but it's not a universal audit limit; it's often a recommended safe buffer for general record-keeping, with the standard IRS audit period usually being 3 years, extending to 6 years for substantial income omission (over 25%) or foreign income issues, and indefinitely for fraud.
April 15, 2025, will be the last opportunity to claim the third payment. The federal government issued three total Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus payments, in 2020 and 2021 to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stimulus checks were sent out back in 2020 as part of COVID relief. In 2021, the Recovery Rebate Credit was available to claim on your return if you didn't receive your stimulus checks. Both of those initiatives have ended.
Generally, the IRS is no longer processing refunds for 2020. In most cases, you must have filed your return within 3 years of the return due date to claim a refund.
E-filing prior year returns
Yes, you can typically e-file the currently due tax year and two prior years, except during an IRS closure. For example, once the IRS has opened e-filing for tax year 2025 returns, you'll be able to e-file 2025, 2024 and 2023.
If you missed the filing deadline for filing your income tax return, we give you an automatic extension until October 15th. No application is required. Visit Personal due dates for more information.