The IRS is not currently sending out new stimulus payments

The three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) ended in 2021. The first payment went out in spring 2020, the second in early 2021, and the third in March 2021. No new stimulus payments have been issued since then, and there are no active programs sending them out now.

If you received payments during those three rounds, you may still need to report them on your tax return or deal with overpayments. If you did not receive a payment you believe you were owed, you can still take action through your tax return or by contacting the IRS directly.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS sent three rounds of stimulus payments between March 2020 and March 2021, and no new rounds are being issued.
  • If you did not receive a payment from those three rounds, you may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return.
  • If you received a payment but the amount was wrong, you will need to report the discrepancy when you file your taxes.
  • The IRS has a tool called "Get My Payment" that showed payment status during the distribution period, but it no longer tracks new payments.

How the three stimulus payment rounds worked

The first Economic Impact Payment, authorized under the CARES Act, sent $1,200 to most adults and $500 per child in spring 2020. The second payment, authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, sent $600 per person in December 2020 and January 2021. The third payment, authorized under the American Rescue Plan, sent $1,400 per person in March 2021.

Each round used different may be able to access rules based on income, filing status, and dependent claims. The IRS determined who received payments based on the most recent tax return on file, plus information from Social Security and Veterans Affairs. Payments went out as direct deposits, checks, or debit cards depending on the method the IRS had on record.

If you did not receive a payment you think you were owed

You can claim any missing payment as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return. This credit covers any of the three payments you did not receive. To claim it, you will need to file a tax return for the year the payment should have gone out — 2020 for the first two payments, and 2021 for the third.

The IRS will compare what you claim against what they have on record. If there is a difference, they will adjust your refund or tax bill accordingly. You do not need to contact the IRS first; filing the return with the credit claimed is how you report the missing payment.

If you are not required to file a tax return because your income is too low, you can still file one just to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS will process it and send you the payment as a refund.

If you received a payment but the amount was wrong

Report the actual amount you received when you file your tax return. The IRS will have a record of what they sent you, and they will compare it to what you report. If you received more than you were owed, the IRS may reduce your refund or increase what you owe. If you received less, they may increase your refund.

Do not try to return a payment or contact the IRS about the discrepancy before filing. The tax return is the official record-keeping mechanism for these payments, and the IRS will sort out any overpayments or underpayments through that process.

What "Get My Payment" was and why it no longer works

During the three distribution periods, the IRS operated a tool called "Get My Payment" on IRS.gov that let people check whether a payment had been sent, when it was sent, and how it was sent. The tool is still on the IRS website but no longer tracks new payments because there are no new payments to track.

If you used "Get My Payment" during 2020 or 2021 and it showed a payment was sent, that information is still accurate. If it showed a payment was pending or scheduled, that payment may not have arrived — in which case you should claim it as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return.

Scams claiming to offer new stimulus payments

Because stimulus payments were popular and widely discussed, scammers have created fake websites, emails, and text messages claiming to offer new payments or to help you claim missing ones. These scams typically ask for personal information like your Social Security number, bank account details, or tax return information.

The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or phone to tell you about a payment. If you receive an unsolicited message about stimulus money, it is a scam. The only legitimate way to claim a missing payment is to file your tax return with the Recovery Rebate Credit claimed, or to use the official IRS website at IRS.gov.

How to report a missing or incorrect payment to the IRS

The primary way to report a problem with a stimulus payment is through your tax return. When you file, report the actual amount you received (or zero if you received nothing), and the IRS will compare it to their records and adjust your refund or tax bill.

If you need to speak with someone before filing, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the year in question ready. The IRS representative can tell you whether they have a record of sending a payment and, if so, what happened to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be another round of stimulus payments?

There is no current plan for new stimulus payments. Congress would have to pass new legislation to authorize them. If that happens, the IRS will announce it publicly and provide information about who is owed money and how to receive it. Do not trust announcements from unofficial sources.

Can I claim a stimulus payment I received if I was not supposed to get it?

No. If you received a payment you were not owed, you will need to report the actual amount you received on your tax return. The IRS will determine whether you owe it back based on your income and filing status for that year. Do not spend money you believe was sent in error.

What if I moved and my stimulus check was sent to an old address?

If a check was sent to an old address, it may have been returned to the IRS or cashed by someone else. Claim the payment as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return for the year it should have been sent. The IRS will compare what you claim to what they have on record and adjust your refund accordingly.

Do I have to file a tax return to claim a missing stimulus payment?

Yes, you must file a tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any missing payment. If you normally do not file because your income is too low, you can still file just to claim this credit. The IRS will process it and send you a refund for the amount owed.

How long does it take to get a missing stimulus payment after I file my return?

Processing times vary. If you file electronically and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS typically processes the return within 21 days, though it can take longer during busy periods. You can check the status of your return on IRS.gov using "Where's My Refund?"