To know if you're getting the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC), you must file a 2020 or 2021 tax return (even if you don't normally file) to claim it, as it's for missing stimulus payments; check your eligibility (U.S. citizen/resident, valid SSN, not a dependent) and use the IRS Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet in Form 1040 instructions, which helps calculate the amount based on your income and previous payments, then file electronically for fastest processing.
Generally, if you were a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien in 2021, you were not a dependent of another taxpayer, and you either have a valid SSN or claim a dependent who has a valid SSN or ATIN, you are eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.
Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours. You can contact the IRS to check on the status of your refund.
Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)
A million tax filers got letters from the IRS in December indicating they had money coming to them because they were eligible to receive the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit but didn't claim it on their 2021 federal tax return. Those checks were sent out by late January, the IRS says.
Check the status of your stimulus check on the IRS Get My Payment website.
If you're eligible — and either didn't receive the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payment or if you think you qualify for a Recovery Rebate Credit that is more than the amount of the third Economic Impact Payment you received — you'll need to file a 2021 tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit even if ...
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.
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.
Your family income must be under 200% of the federal poverty level. For a own family of four, that's kind of $62,400 consistent with year. Applications closed in advance in 2025, and only 200 households were picked via a random lottery. You also can't be enrolled in every other guaranteed income program.
No, the IRS is not currently sending out new $1400 stimulus checks in 2026, but they did wrap up sending out final automatic payments for unclaimed 2021 Recovery Rebate Credits in late 2024/early 2025, with the deadline to claim these missed payments passing on April 15, 2025; new checks would require new Congressional action, and any texts about current stimulus payments are scams, say FOX 5 DC, CNBC, and IRS.gov.
Things that can delay a refund:
The return has errors, is incomplete or is affected by identity theft or fraud. The return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount.
Am I eligible? The IRS has defined "qualified taxpayers" as those who filed a 2021 tax return but left the data field for the Recovery Rebate Credit blank, or filled out $0 when the individual was eligible to receive the credit.
The IRS will send a Letter 6475 in late January, 2022, that lists the stimulus payment amount sent to you. The letter details your information for easy reference—you don't have to file it with your tax return.
Deadline to file with the IRS for a missed $1,400 stimulus check is April 15.
To check if you're owed a past stimulus payment, use the IRS.gov website to access your online account and view payment records, or if you missed a payment, see if you're eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return, as the "Get My Payment" tool is no longer active for checking status, but the IRS has issued all primary payments.
If you didn't get the full amounts of the first and second Economic Impact Payments, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return – even if you don't usually file taxes - to claim it.
Stimulus payments
Single taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or below. Taxpayers filing as heads of household with AGIs of $112,500 or below. Married couples filing jointly with AGIs of $150,000 or below.
To check your U.S. federal tax refund status, use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or IRS2Go app on IRS.gov, needing your Social Security number/ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount; for state refunds, check your specific state's Department of Revenue website. Federal refunds are typically updated within 24 hours of e-filing, with most e-filed refunds processed within 21 days.
If you're unsure if you received the money, there's a simple way to check via your IRS account online, tax experts say. The 2021 stimulus payments were worth up to $1,400 per individual, or $2,800 per married couple. A family of four could receive up to $5,600 with two eligible dependents.
If you haven't claimed the third economic impact payment yet, now is your time to do so. April 15, 2025, will be the last opportunity to claim the third payment.