Missing Stimulus Payments

Third-Round Stimulus Payments Are Still Available!

If you did not get your third stimulus payment, it’s not too late to find out why and to get your money! 

I didn't get my stimulus money! What can I do?

There were three rounds of payments:

  • First round: Up to $1,200 per adult + $500 for each child
  • Second round: Up to $600 per adult + $600 for each child
  • Third round: Up to $1,400 per adult + $1,400 for each dependent (child or adult)

The first two rounds were for 2020. The third round was for 2021. The IRS calls the stimulus payments “Recovery Rebate Credits” because they were actually advances of tax credits.

  • If you are missing a payment from the first two rounds, your deadline for filing a 2020 return for this purpose expired in May 2024. 
  • But if you are missing a payment from the third round, you can still file a 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on Line 30 of IRS Form 1040! Your deadline to file is April 18, 2025!
    • To claim the credit, you will need to know how much money you are missing. For more information, go to EIP Payments.

Need help filing a return?

You'll be filing a return for 2021 to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. During the next tax filing season (roughly February to April of 2025), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites can help you file a return for free.

What if my stimulus money was issued, but was lost, stolen or destroyed?

You can start a payment trace by calling the IRS at 800-919-9835. Or mail or fax a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, to the IRS. For more information about payment tracing, go to IRS Payment Trace.

Can I check the status of my payments?

You can check the status of any of your payments by going to (or creating) your IRS Online Account.

This information was last updated in August 2024.