If you received the stimulus payment in 2021, you should have an IRS letter “Notice 1444-C” showing the amount you received so you can record it on your tax return. If you didn't receive the most recent stimulus payment, you can claim it when you file your 2021 tax return.
Stimulus checks are not taxable, but they still need to be reported on 2021 tax returns, which need to be filed this spring. The 2021 stimulus checks were disbursed to eligible recipients starting in March of last year. They are worth up to $1,400 per qualifying taxpayer and each of their dependents.
To claim your stimulus payment, look for Line 30 on your 1040 tax form.
If you didn't qualify for a third Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amount, you may be eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 tax return. You must file a return to claim the credit, even if you don't usually file a tax return.
The IRS instructions for this year's 1040 form state, in part: "Any economic impact payments you received are not taxable for federal income tax purposes."
Enter the stimulus payment amount in your tax preparation software or in the Form 1040 Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet to calculate your credit.
If you did not receive your payment in 2021, you may be eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 return. The IRS can no longer issue a third-round Economic Impact Payment because the statute required all payments to be made by December 31, 2021.
It is not too late to file a return to claim an economic stimulus payment. The IRS urges people to file by October 15 to ensure that they receive a payment prior to year's end. It can take up to eight weeks for the IRS to process the return and issue the payment.
It's not too late to get any missed stimulus checks! You will need to file a 2020 tax return to get the first and second stimulus checks and a 2021 tax return to get the third stimulus check.
The only way to get the 1st and/or 2nd stimulus check is to file a 2020 tax return and use the recovery rebate credit in the Federal Review section to get it.
If you didn't get a second stimulus check by then (mailed checks may take longer to deliver), you can claim your second stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org (available until November 15, 2021) if you don't have a filing requirement.
You also won't be required to repay any stimulus check payment when filing your 2021 tax return — even if your third stimulus check is greater than your 2021 credit. If your third stimulus check is less than your 2021 credit, you'll get the difference when you file your 2021 return next year.
No, the third-round Economic Impact Payment (including any plus-up payment that you might have received) is not includible in your gross income. Therefore, you will not include them in your taxable income on your 2021 federal income tax return or pay income tax on the third payment.
You will need to file a 2020 federal tax return to get the third stimulus check or use GetCTC.org if you don't have a filing requirement. You can also get the first and second stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return or GetCTC.org if you are eligible.
Use the IRS Get My Payment tool to track stimulus money
For the third stimulus check: It's worth visiting the IRS' online portal designed to track the status of your 2021 payment. Generally, it should tell you when your check will be processed and how you'll receive it: for example, as a paper check in the mail.
You may still be able to claim the third stimulus check money you deserve…but you have to act now, because you need to file a 2021 tax return to get paid. Some people were left high and dry because they simply weren't eligible for a third stimulus check.
The IRS started sending the third Economic Impact Payments to eligible individuals in March 2021 and continued sending payments throughout the year as tax returns were processed.
If you don't sign up for direct deposit after your initial payment is returned to the IRS, it will take even longer to receive your third stimulus check. In that case, the IRS won't reissue your payment until it receives an updated address (e.g., by filing a 2020 tax return or notifying the IRS).
If the bank says it hasn't received a payment, you can request a payment trace. To request a payment trace, call 800-919-9835 or fill out IRS Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.
You will record the amount you received in stimulus funds, if any, on Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, Line 30. If you received the full amount you qualified for, no further action will be taken.
Economic Impact Payments were an advance payment of the Recovery Rebate Credit. You may be eligible to claim the credit by filing a 2020 1040 or 1040-SR for free using the IRS Free File program.
President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, 2021. Provisions in the bill authorized a third round of stimulus checks worth $1,400 for each eligible person ($2,800 for couples), plus an additional $1,400 for each dependent.