Third Stimulus Check
The Stimulus Three payment is for 2021 Tax Returns only: if you did not receive your third stimulus check, you could claim the Recovery Rebate Credit or RRC on your 2021 Tax Return. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable tax credit that is a way for taxpayers to receive their stimulus payments. The 2021 credit is only for claiming stimulus three, while the 2020 RRC is used to claim missing payments for the first stimulus check and stimulus check two. You can claim your 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit when preparing your 2021 Tax Return or claim the first two payments by filing a 2020 Return.
How to Claim Missing Stimulus Check
Not sure if you should have received a third stimulus payment? Start the tool below and find out if you qualify for Stimulus Check 3. If you do and never received this payment, claim it as a Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2021 Tax Return. Important: You cannot claim any stimulus checks by filing your currently due taxes - details below the tool.
To claim your third stimulus payment, enter the amount determined by the calculator on your 2021 Form 1040, Line 30. Follow the flow of the form to then report it as part of your tax refund on Lines 32, 33, and 34/35 as applicable. When you sign your Form 1040, fill in the direct deposit information on lines 35b, c, and d in order to receive your refund through a bank account. Then, mail your return to the mailing address based on your resident state. See further details if you do not normally file taxes and need to claim your stimulus payment.
For stimulus 1 and 2, follow the instructions above, but use the 2020 Form 1040 instead of the 2021 Form.
Get an overview of all three stimulus payments issued during 2020 and 2021: find out if you qualified or not. What do you need to do if you qualify but do not receive your stimulus check payment? The only way to claim these is by filing a tax return for the respective year. If you are the recipient of Social Security Income, Supplemental Security Income, and/or do not report any other taxable income, learn how you will receive your stimulus check (now claimed as the Recovery Rebate Credit).
Important: You cannot claim any stimulus payments by filing your currently due taxes. The Recovery Rebate Credit is an expired tax credit that was only introduced to offset the hardship Americans faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic. You only have until May 17, 2024 to claim stimulus 1 and 2 while you have until April 15, 2025 to claim stimulus 3.
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