What are stimulus checks?
In 2020 and 2021, the federal government sent people 3 separate Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), or “stimulus checks.” Most people got their EIPs based on information in their tax returns for 2019 and earlier.
The first 2 stimulus checks were sent in 2020. The third stimulus check was sent in 2021.
If you never received any of your stimulus checks, you need to file a tax return for 2021 with the IRS. You need to do this even if you were not required to file tax returns for that year. You will need to complete a Form-1040 and send it to the IRS. Make sure you complete a 1040 for the correct tax year (2021) and not a newer 1040.
To claim your missing stimulus checks, you need to write the amount of the stimulus checks you did not receive for that tax year on Line 30, “Recovery rebate credit.” The Recovery Rebate Credit is the name the government uses for stimulus checks that you request with a tax return.
You need to write the correct amount for the Recovery Rebate Credit. For individual tax filers, the first stimulus check was $1200, the second was $600, and the third was $1400, for a total of $3200.
However, the stimulus checks could be larger or smaller depending on your income, marital status, and dependents. The IRS’ website has more information to figure out the amount of your stimulus checks: Recovery Rebate Credit | Internal Revenue Service.
*Important Deadline to Note:
The IRS only allows you to file taxes for 3 years after the tax filing deadline for a tax year. After 3 years have passed from the tax filing deadline, the IRS is no longer required to pay you any money you were owed for that year.
You can claim all 3 stimulus checks on a 2021 tax return. The deadline to file a 2021 tax return is April 15, 2025. If you do not file a 2021 tax return with the IRS by that date, you may lose your right to a stimulus check.
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