Understanding the Third Stimulus Check
In 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act authorized a third round of Economic Impact Payments, commonly known as stimulus checks, to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. These payments were distributed to eligible individuals and families to help offset the economic impact of the pandemic.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the third stimulus check, you must have met the following criteria:
- You must have a valid Social Security number.
- You must have filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return.
- Your income must have been below certain thresholds ($75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for head of household filers, and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly).
Possible Reasons for Non-Receipt
If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria but have not yet received your third stimulus check, there are several possible reasons:
- Incorrect or Missing Information: Ensure that the information on your tax return, such as your address and bank account details, is accurate and up-to-date. Any errors or missing information could have caused delays or prevented the payment from being processed.
- Processing Delays: The IRS processed a large volume of stimulus payments, which could have resulted in delays for some individuals. If you filed your tax return early, you may have received your payment sooner.
- Payment Sent to Closed Account: If the bank account you provided on your tax return has been closed, the IRS may have attempted to deposit your payment into an inactive account. In this case, the payment will be returned to the IRS, and you will need to provide updated banking information.
- Payment Returned Due to Incorrect Address: If the IRS has your incorrect address on file, your payment may have been returned to them as undeliverable. Update your address with the IRS to ensure that any future payments are sent to the correct location.
- Ineligibility: Double-check that you meet the eligibility criteria for the third stimulus check. If you do not meet the income requirements or do not have a valid Social Security number, you may not be eligible for the payment.
Steps to Take
If you have not received your third stimulus check and believe you are eligible, follow these steps:
- Check Your IRS Online Account: Log into your IRS Online Account to view the status of your payment. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.
- Contact the IRS: If you cannot access your IRS Online Account or need further assistance, call the IRS at 1-800-919-9835. Be prepared to provide your Social Security number and other personal information.
- File a Recovery Rebate Credit: If you are eligible for the third stimulus check but did not receive it, you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return. Use the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet to calculate the amount of the credit you are entitled to.
Additional Resources
What to do if you have not received your stimulus check
FAQ
What do I do if I didn’t get my third stimulus check?
Is it too late to get the third stimulus check?
Where is my 3rd stimulus check?
What if I didn’t get a third stimulus check?
Here’s what to do if you didn’t get one All third-round stimulus checks have been sent out, the IRS announced Wednesday. If you haven’t received all of the money you are eligible for, you will need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return. The third stimulus checks were technically advance payments of that credit.
Can a third stimulus check be a recurring payment?
Answer: As with the first two round of checks, the legislation authorizing the third round of payments only calls for one payment. This is not a “recurring” payment situation. However, some people will receive a supplemental payment if their 2020 tax return is filed and/or processed after the IRS sends them their regular third stimulus check.
What if I don’t get my 3rd stimulus payment?
If you don’t receive your third stimulus payment, or if it was for the wrong amount, you’ll need to file a tax return for the 2021 tax year (by April 15, 2022 unless you request an extension). You’ll file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR (tax return for seniors). You’ll need your Notice 1444, Your Economic Impact Payment from the IRS when you file.
When will my 3rd stimulus check arrive?
Answer: Millions of Americans have already received their third stimulus check. And the IRS will be sending out more over the next several weeks. So, if you haven’t received your payment yet ( assuming you’re eligible for a payment ), it should arrive relatively soon. How long it will take to send all payments is not known yet.