The echoes of the COVID-19 pandemic still resonate, not just in public health but also in the economic relief measures implemented during those unprecedented times. Among the most direct and widely impactful of these measures were the stimulus checks, formally known as Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). Three rounds were disbursed, with the third, authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in March 2021, being the largest and most recent. Nearly three years later, a persistent question remains for many: Is the third stimulus check still being sent out?
The short answer, for the vast majority of eligible Americans, is largely no. The official distribution period for the third stimulus checks has concluded. However, for a specific subset of individuals, the journey to receive their due payment might not be over, though the method of claiming it has fundamentally shifted. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone still wondering where their money is.
The Initial Blitz: A Historic Rollout
When President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law on March 11, 2021, it triggered an unprecedented effort by the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to deliver a third round of Economic Impact Payments. Unlike previous rounds, this one offered up to $1,400 per eligible individual and an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent, with no age limit for dependents. This meant families with children over 17 or adult dependents could also receive payments.
The rollout was swift. Within days of the bill’s passage, direct deposits began hitting bank accounts. Over the following weeks and months, millions more received their payments via paper checks and EIP debit cards. The IRS, leveraging data from recent tax returns (primarily 2019 and 2020), Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, and Railroad Retirement Board, aimed to deliver payments automatically to those it identified as eligible. By the end of 2021, the vast majority of the over 175 million payments had been sent out.
The Shift: From Automatic Disbursement to Tax Credit
So, if the IRS isn’t actively sending out new checks, why do some people still feel they’re "waiting"? The key lies in how the payments were structured and how the IRS now handles any discrepancies.
The third stimulus check was technically an advance payment of a tax credit – specifically, the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC). This is a critical distinction. While the IRS advanced the payment based on the most recent information they had at the time (typically 2019 or 2020 tax returns), the final eligibility and amount were determined by a person’s 2021 tax situation.
This means that if you were eligible for a payment, or a larger payment, based on your 2021 income, dependents, or filing status, but didn’t receive it (or the full amount) automatically, the only way to claim it now is by filing a 2021 federal income tax return.
Who Might Still Be Due a Payment (and Why)?
Several scenarios could lead to someone still being owed money from the third stimulus package:
- New Dependents in 2021: Families who had a new baby, adopted a child, or gained a new qualifying dependent in 2021 would not have had this information reflected on their 2019 or 2020 tax returns. They would be eligible for the additional $1,400 per new dependent but would need to claim it on their 2021 tax return.
- Lower Income in 2021: The stimulus payments had income phase-out thresholds ($75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for heads of household, $150,000 for married filing jointly). If your income in 2019 or 2020 was too high to qualify for the full payment, but your income dropped significantly in 2021 (due to job loss, reduced hours, etc.), you might now qualify for a full or partial payment.
- Non-Filers or Those Who Don’t Typically File: Millions of Americans, including many low-income individuals, Social Security recipients, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries, and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries, often aren’t required to file tax returns. While the IRS made efforts to send payments to these groups using data from other federal agencies, some may have been missed due to outdated addresses, banking information, or other administrative hurdles. They too would need to file a 2021 tax return to claim their payment.
- "Plus-Up" Payments: These were supplemental payments sent to people who initially received a third stimulus payment based on their 2019 tax return but were eligible for a larger amount based on their recently processed 2020 tax return. While most of these were automatically sent in 2021, a few might have slipped through the cracks or encountered issues.
- Direct Deposit or Address Issues: If the IRS had incorrect banking information or an outdated address, the payment might have been returned or sent to the wrong place. In such cases, the payment would need to be claimed via the RRC.
How to Claim a Missing Third Stimulus Payment: The Recovery Rebate Credit
For anyone who believes they are still owed money from the third stimulus check, the path forward is clear: you must file a 2021 federal income tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
- Which Form? The Recovery Rebate Credit is claimed on Line 30 of Schedule 3 (Additional Credits and Payments), which accompanies Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return).
- What You Need: To accurately claim the RRC, you’ll need to know the exact amount of the third stimulus payment(s) you received (if any). The IRS sent Notice 1444-C to individuals who received the third EIP, detailing the amount. If you don’t have this notice, you can check your IRS online account or request a tax transcript (specifically, a "Record of Account Transcript" or "Account Transcript") for 2021, which will show the EIP amount.
- Even if You Don’t Usually File: If your income was below the filing threshold for 2021, you are still advised to file a tax return to claim this credit. Filing electronically (e-file) is generally faster, but paper returns are also accepted.
- Statute of Limitations: Be aware that there’s a deadline. Generally, you have three years from the tax return’s original due date (or the date you filed it, if later) to claim a refund or credit. For the 2021 tax year, this means the typical deadline would be April 15, 2025.
The "Get My Payment" Tool’s Current Utility
The IRS’s "Get My Payment" tool was immensely helpful during the initial stimulus rollouts, allowing individuals to track the status of their payments. However, its utility for new third stimulus payments has largely ceased. While it might still show you the history of past payments you received, it will not indicate if you are currently due a payment or actively sending out checks. For missing payments, your IRS online account and tax transcripts are the most reliable sources of information.
Beyond Stimulus: Related Benefits (A Brief Note)
It’s important not to confuse the third stimulus check (EIP3) with other pandemic-era tax benefits, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) from 2021. While both were part of the American Rescue Plan and aimed at providing financial relief, they were distinct. The CTC also had advance payments, but any remaining credit was similarly claimed on the 2021 tax return. If you missed out on CTC payments, you would also need to file or amend your 2021 return.
Navigating the IRS and Getting Help
Dealing with the IRS can be daunting, but several resources are available:
- IRS.gov: The official website is the best and most accurate source for information. Look for sections on "Economic Impact Payments" or "Recovery Rebate Credit."
- IRS Online Account: Creating or logging into your IRS online account can provide valuable information about your tax history, including the amount of any EIPs received.
- Tax Transcripts: These detailed records from the IRS can confirm EIP amounts. You can request them online or by mail.
- Tax Professionals: If your situation is complex or you feel overwhelmed, consider consulting a qualified tax professional (CPA or Enrolled Agent) or utilizing free tax preparation services like VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) or TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) if you qualify.
Conclusion: The Chapter Closes, But the Door Remains Ajar (for a Fee)
In essence, the era of automatic stimulus checks being sent out by the IRS has ended. The monumental task of directly injecting funds into the economy to cushion the blow of the pandemic largely concluded by the end of 2021.
However, for those who were legitimately eligible for the third stimulus payment but did not receive it, or received less than they were due, the door is still ajar – but you must walk through it yourself, via your 2021 tax return. By understanding the Recovery Rebate Credit and proactively filing, individuals can still claim the financial relief that was intended for them. The key is timely action and utilizing the correct tax mechanisms to ensure you receive what you’re owed before the window of opportunity closes permanently.