You were expecting an IRS stimulus payment, but it never arrived. What should you do? Many Americans found themselves in this exact situation during the Economic Impact Payment distributions. Below, I will guide you through the necessary actions to take if you have yet to receive your stimulus money.
Table of Contents
- 1. Check Your Stimulus Payment Status Online
- 2. Confirm Your IRS Has Your Correct Information
- 3. If You Didn’t File Taxes, Use the Non-Filers Tool
- 4. Claim Missing Stimulus Payments via Tax Return
- 5. Beware of Stimulus Payment Scams
- 6. Start a Payment Trace if You Believe Your Check Was Lost or Stolen
- 7. Where to Get Free Help Filing Your Taxes
1. Check Your Stimulus Payment Status Online
The first and simplest step is to check the status of your Economic Impact Payment through the official IRS website. The IRS provided a portal where you can see whether your payment has been sent, the payment method (direct deposit or check), and if any additional information is needed from you.
You will need your most recent tax return information (2019 or 2020) to provide proof of identity and verify your bank account if applicable.
2. Confirm Your IRS Has Your Correct Information
If you did not receive your stimulus payment, it may be because the IRS had outdated bank or mailing information. The IRS usually uses the bank account from your most recent tax return for direct deposit payments. If that information is missing or incorrect, the payment may have been sent via mail or not at all.
Make sure:
- Your mailing address is current in IRS records.
- Your bank account information was included on your 2018 or 2019 tax return if you wanted direct deposit.
If you need to update or submit your bank info, the IRS had provided online forms during the payment periods to help ensure correct deposits.
3. If You Didn’t File Taxes, Use the Non-Filers Tool
Many low-income individuals or those who did not have a filing requirement for 2018 or 2019 missed out on payments because the IRS didn’t have their information.
If you did not file a tax return for those years, you must use the IRS Non-Filers: Enter Payment Information tool to provide your information and claim your stimulus payment. This was a key step for people who receive Social Security benefits, VA benefits, or Supplemental Security Income but did not otherwise file taxes.
4. Claim Missing Stimulus Payments via Tax Return
If you still have not received your stimulus money, you may be eligible to claim those payments as a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your tax return. For example, if you missed earlier payments or didn’t receive the full amount, filing or amending your 2020 or 2021 federal tax return can recover these funds.
Please note the deadlines:
- The deadline to claim missing first and second stimulus payments via the 2020 return passed on May 17, 2024.
- The deadline to claim the third stimulus payment via the 2021 return is April 15, 2025.
For those who filed their tax returns but did not claim the credit, the IRS started sending automatic payments in December 2024 for eligible recipients.
5. Beware of Stimulus Payment Scams
Be cautious of false communications impersonating the IRS. The IRS does not send stimulus payment notifications by text message, email, or social media. Scammers often send fake texts claiming you are eligible for additional stimulus money and ask you to click suspicious links or provide personal information.
“The IRS would never contact you by text or email asking for personal or financial information regarding your stimulus payment.”
If you receive suspicious messages, do not click any links and report them to the IRS phishing email: phishing@irs.gov.
6. Start a Payment Trace if You Believe Your Check Was Lost or Stolen
If your stimulus payment was issued but lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can start a payment trace with the IRS.
To initiate a payment trace, call the IRS at 800-919-9835 or mail/fax a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund to the IRS. You can also check payment records by creating an IRS Online Account where you can view your payment history.
7. Where to Get Free Help Filing Your Taxes
If you need assistance filing or amending tax returns to claim missed stimulus payments, many communities offer free tax help through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. These tax professionals can help you file eligible tax returns for free during tax season.
It’s important to act quickly if you have missed claiming your stimulus payment and meet the filing deadlines.