Stimulus checks: IRS plus-up payments, delivery deadlines, everything else to know

Another 2 million stimulus checks went out on Wednesday from the IRS, sending more than $4.3 billion to individuals and families who qualify. That makes 163 million payments for $384 billion the IRS and US Treasury have sent since March’s American Rescue Plan became law. (In a Wednesday night speech, President Joe Biden talked about the next two stimulus bills.) This week’s wave of payments includes another round of “plus-up” payments to those who are eligible for more money because the IRS recalculated their payment amount after receiving their 2020 tax returns.

Tax season this year runs to May 17, so tax refunds overlap with the stimulus check payment schedule. Because of that, the IRS is busy sending hundreds of thousands of checks, including to Social Security recipients and SSI beneficiaries, and to eligible people who recently supplied tax information the IRS needed to calculate their stimulus check. (Here’s how to check your stimulus status with the IRS.)

Here’s what to know about the IRS timeline for payments, including how to report a stimulus check problem and when it’s time to file a payment trace. If you have kids, keep an eye out for child tax credit payments for up to $3,600 to start revving up, and find if your state owes you more money. Here’s how a future stimulus plan could bring you more. Also, see how you could get up to $50,000 back with one-time benefits this year. Here’s the latest on student loan debt forgiveness and a fourth check. This story is frequently updated.

Plus-up stimulus payments sent on a weekly schedule from the IRS, for months more

If the IRS has already sent your third stimulus check, the agency may not be finished sending you money. If the IRS used an older tax return it had on hand when it determined your payment, you could be due more money after the IRS receives your 2020 tax return and calculates your third payment again. If this is your situation, you may qualify for a plus-up payment.

The IRS said it will automatically make these plus-up stimulus payments to square up what it owes you, but it’s a good idea to double-check your amount to confirm how much money you should expect this stimulus round, then track your payment and hold onto the relevant IRS letter in case you received less than you believe you are eligible for. We don’t want you leaving money on the table if you’re owed a plus-up payment that — for whatever reason — never arrives.

Last week, the IRS sent 700,000 of these plus-up payments for nearly $1.2 billion to people who had already received their third stimulus check. If your 2020 tax return shows you qualify for a larger payment, the IRS said it will recalculate the amount of your payment and automatically send a plus-up payment for the difference it owes you, after it receives your 2020 tax return — or based on other factors if you don’t usually file.

If your stimulus payment arrived by direct deposit, that’s how you should expect to receive your plus-up money, too. If the IRS doesn’t have your details on file, you may get a paper check instead. (Here’s how you’ll track it in the mail.)

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Stimulus plus-up payments: What you need to know

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The IRS may own you money for the first two checks, too

These plus-up payments are now going out weekly along with the third round of checks, but they may not be the only money you’re due. For money missing from the first two checks, you need to claim that on your 2020 taxes. (You have less than three weeks lieft to do that. Tax Day is May 17. We suggest making sure you also know where to find your adjusted gross income. Tax nonfilers may need to be proactive about claiming a new dependent, too.

IRS stimulus payment timeline through December 2021

The majority of the third stimulus check payments have gone out from the IRS and US Treasury, at least based on what the IRS has on hand to determine payment amounts. The March stimulus law, however, gives these federal agencies to Dec. 31, 2021, to send all the third checks. That gives the IRS room to process 2020 tax returns and square up payments for those who are owed plus-up amounts, folks who file a 2020 tax extension and other groups, like those who moved or don’t have a fixed address (such as people experiencing homelessness).

If all or part of your stimulus check doesn’t arrive by then, you’ll need to claim missing money via a 2021 tax return in April 2022, a year from now. This would be similar to the Recovery Rebate Credit for claiming missing money from the first two checks, which is currently in effect for 2020 taxes.

Should you track your IRS stimulus check online?

Knowing the status of your payment is an important part of making sure you know where your full payment stands. Keep an eye out in the Get My Payment tracker tool for plus-up payments or other information about your payment. The details are updated once a day and the tool can flag if there’s a problem with your payment that you may need to address by giving you a message.

You can also use a free tool from the USPS to track your mailed stimulus payment.

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Stimulus check 3: How much money you’ll get

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Is there a problem with your stimulus payment? Start here to check its status

The IRS doesn’t want you to call if you have any issue with the delivery or amount of your stimulus check. So what to do instead? Our guide walks you through how to report stimulus check problems, including checks that never arrived (try filing a payment trace), direct deposit payments that go to the wrong account and other issues.

Did you receive a smaller amount in your check than you expected?

The IRS isn’t particularly big on communicating how much money it calculates for your stimulus check. You won’t find that figure in the agency’s online tracking tool, but you will see it in the confirmation letter you’ll receive in the mail. (And here’s why you got the payment size you did.) 

So what happens if you use our stimulus check calculator and notice the numbers seem way off, or the IRS letter quotes an amount you didn’t receive? Start by triple-checking your qualifications to make sure you’re eligible for the total you expect. Remember the IRS is automatically sending plus-up payments and that happens after the agency receives your 2020 tax return. If you had a baby or added a dependent in 2020, you won’t need to file an amended tax form to claim the supplement.

The IRS could open up claims for missing stimulus money before its Dec. 31 deadline to stop sending checks. If not, you might have to wait a year to claim it — when you file your 2021 taxes in 2022 (even if you’re a nonfiler who isn’t typically required to file taxes).

Why all or some of your stimulus money didn’t arrive

Also, here’s what to know if the IRS sent a letter confirming it sent your stimulus payment, but the money never arrived. Here’s more information on problems you might encounter with your stimulus check.

Your 2020 tax return really could make a big difference in your payment total

Taxes are now due May 17. So how will the IRS figure out how much it owes you? It will calculate your total (you can also do that here) based on the most recent tax filing it’s processed at the time it’s ready to tabulate the amount of your stimulus check.

If you know your tax return was already processed, your total will likely be based on your 2020 adjusted gross income, not on your 2019 AGI. That presents complications if the difference between the two years disqualifies you from getting a third stimulus check. 

On the flip side, if the IRS uses your 2019 taxes and you’re owed more money based on your 2020 AGI and dependents, you could get a plus-up payment. If you got more money than you’re owed, you’ll only need to return it to the IRS in some cases. 

Stimulus check details for Social Security SSI and SSDI recipients and for veterans

Veterans receiving VA benefits and people who get SSDI and SSI benefits are now receiving stimulus checks from the IRS and Treasury. Delivery details should now be available in the Get My Payment tool. 

You might get your stimulus money by direct deposit to existing Direct Express cards if this is how you normally receive benefits, and if you didn’t file taxes in 2019 or 2020. Otherwise, the money could come in the mail (here’s what to look for so you know it’s legit). The SSA says that Social Security beneficiaries like SSI and SSDI groups will not receive an EIP debit card. 

If you’re a tax nonfiler and you used the IRS’ Non-Filers tool by November 2020 to submit information, you may have already received your check before other Social Security recipients. 

There’s more: Extra rules and exceptions to know

Stimulus checks aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all situation. Here are guides for:

And here’s everything you need to know about the third stimulus check, how to calculate your stimulus total and every way the stimulus law can bring you more money.