Did Your Third Stimulus Check Arrive? A Comprehensive Guide to Tracking Your Economic Impact Payment

The economic impact payments, commonly known as stimulus checks, were a lifeline for millions of Americans during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the first two rounds brought immediate relief, the third stimulus check, authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, often felt like a final, crucial boost. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re still wondering, "Did I get the third stimulus check?" or "Where is my money?"

You’re not alone. Despite the IRS sending out tens of millions of payments, many individuals encountered delays, eligibility questions, or simply weren’t sure how to confirm receipt. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the third stimulus check, how to determine if you received it, and what steps to take if you believe you’re still owed money.

Understanding the Third Stimulus Check: The Basics

Before diving into how to track your payment, let’s recap what the third stimulus check entailed:

• Official Name: Economic Impact Payment (EIP3)
• Legislation: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law on March 11, 2021.
• Payment Amount:
  • $1,400 for eligible individuals.
  • An additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
  • Unlike previous rounds, this included all dependents claimed on a tax return, regardless of age (children, adult dependents, college students, etc.).
• Purpose: To provide direct financial relief to individuals and families impacted by the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Who Was Eligible for the Third Stimulus Check?

Eligibility for the third stimulus check was primarily based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 2019 or 2020 tax return, whichever the IRS had on file at the time of processing.

• Full Payment Eligibility:
  • Single Filers: AGI up to $75,000.
  • Married Filing Jointly: AGI up to $150,000.
  • Head of Household: AGI up to $112,500.
• Phased-Out Payments: Payments were gradually reduced for incomes above these thresholds.
• No Payment Eligibility:
  • Single Filers: AGI of $80,000 or more.
  • Married Filing Jointly: AGI of $160,000 or more.
  • Head of Household: AGI of $120,000 or more.
• Dependents: As mentioned, all qualifying dependents, regardless of age, were eligible for the additional $1,400 payment.
• Non-Filers: Individuals who don’t typically file a tax return (e.g., Social Security beneficiaries, SSI recipients, VA beneficiaries, Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries) generally received their payments automatically based on information the IRS had from other federal agencies.
• U.S. Residents: Generally, you needed to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien and not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

When Were Payments Sent Out?

The IRS began sending out the third round of Economic Impact Payments very quickly after the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law.

• Direct Deposits: Started as early as March 12, 2021, for those whose bank information the IRS had on file.
• Paper Checks and EIP Cards: Began being mailed out in the following weeks and months, with some continuing through the summer and fall of 2021, especially for those who filed their 2020 taxes later in the year.
• Phased Rollout: Payments were sent in batches, so not everyone received theirs at the exact same time. The IRS continuously processed payments based on the most recent tax information they had.

How Were Payments Distributed?

The third stimulus payments were distributed primarily through three methods:

1. Direct Deposit: This was the fastest and most common method. If the IRS had your bank account information from a previous tax return or through the "Get My Payment" tool for earlier rounds, your payment likely arrived this way.
2. Paper Check: If direct deposit wasn’t possible (e.g., no bank account on file, bank account closed), the IRS mailed a paper check to the address it had on file.
3. Economic Impact Payment (EIP) Debit Card: Some payments were sent as pre-loaded debit cards, often mailed in a plain white envelope from "Money Network Cardholder Services." Many people mistook these for junk mail and discarded them, so it’s worth checking if you received one.

"I Didn’t Get It! Why Not?" Common Reasons for Missing Payments

If you didn’t see the third stimulus payment hit your bank account or arrive in your mailbox, several factors could be at play:

1. Eligibility Issues:
   • Income Too High: Your AGI for 2019 or 2020 may have exceeded the phase-out limits.
   • Claimed as a Dependent: If someone else claimed you as a dependent on their tax return, you would not be eligible for your own payment.
   • Non-Resident Alien Status: Only U.S. citizens or resident aliens were eligible.
2. Payment Method Problems:
   • Outdated Bank Information: Your bank account may have changed or closed since your last tax filing. The IRS would have attempted direct deposit, it would have been rejected, and then they would have mailed a check.
   • Incorrect Address: If you moved and didn’t update your address with the IRS or the USPS, your check or EIP card might have gone to an old address.
3. IRS Processing Delays:
   • Tax Return Delays: If you filed your 2020 tax return late, your payment might have been delayed as the IRS processed your information.
   • Mixed-Status Families: For families with varying citizenship statuses, processing could be more complex and take longer.
   • Errors in Data: Sometimes, a simple typo or mismatch in IRS records could cause a delay.
4. The Payment Was Sent, But You Didn’t Realize:
   • EIP Card Mistake: As mentioned, EIP cards were often mistaken for junk mail.
   • Check Misplacement: A physical check could have been lost in the mail or misplaced.
   • Spousal Payment: If you filed jointly, the payment might have been deposited into your spouse’s account, or they might have received and deposited a joint check.
5. Scams: Unfortunately, stimulus checks were a prime target for scammers. The IRS will never call, text, email, or contact you on social media asking for personal or financial information related to your stimulus payment. Any such contact is a scam.

How to Check Your Payment Status: The Definitive Steps

The good news is that the IRS provides tools to help you determine the status of your third stimulus payment.

1. Use the IRS "Get My Payment" Tool:

   • Website: Go to www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
   • Information Needed: You’ll need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), date of birth, street address, and zip code.
   • What You’ll See:
     • "Payment Status": This means your payment has been processed and a date is provided for when it was sent and how (direct deposit or mail).
     • "Payment Status Not Available": This could mean you are not eligible, the IRS hasn’t processed your payment yet, or they don’t have enough information to process it.
     • "Need More Information": This indicates the payment was returned to the IRS (e.g., direct deposit failed). You’ll be able to provide new bank information or request a check be mailed.
   • Important Note: The "Get My Payment" tool’s information is final. If it indicates a payment was sent to an account you don’t recognize or an old address, you may need to pursue the Recovery Rebate Credit.

2. Check Your IRS Online Account:

   • Website: Go to www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account.
   • Access: You’ll need to create or log in to your IRS online account using a robust identity verification process (ID.me).
   • Information Provided: This account allows you to view your tax payment history, including the amounts and dates of any Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) issued to you. Look for "Economic Impact Payment 3" or "EIP3." This is often the most reliable source of information.

3. Review Your 2021 Tax Return (Form 1040, Line 30):

   • The third stimulus payment was an advance payment of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.
   • When you filed your 2021 tax return, Line 30 ("Recovery Rebate Credit") should reflect any difference between the amount of the third stimulus payment you should have received and the amount you actually received.
   • If you received the full amount you were eligible for, Line 30 would likely be $0.
   • If you received less than you were eligible for (or none at all), and you qualified, Line 30 should show the amount you were owed as a credit, which would have increased your refund or reduced your tax liability.
   • Action: Look at the copy of your filed 2021 tax return. If Line 30 has an amount, that means you claimed and received the difference. If you didn’t claim it, or didn’t file, you may still need to.

4. Check Your Bank Statements:

   • Look for deposits from the U.S. Treasury, often labeled "IRS TREAS 310 TAX REF." The "310" code indicates an Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit from the U.S. Treasury.
   • Check statements from around March 2021 through late 2021.

5. Look for IRS Notice 1444-C and Notice 1444-TR:

   • The IRS sent out Notice 1444-C, Your Third Economic Impact Payment, to recipients within 15 days of their payment being issued. This letter provided the amount of your payment and how it was sent. Keep this letter for your tax records.
   • For those who filed their 2021 tax return and claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS also sent Notice 1444-TR, confirming the amount of the credit applied.

What If You Still Believe You’re Owed the Third Stimulus Payment? The Recovery Rebate Credit

If, after checking all the above, you are certain you were eligible for the third stimulus payment but did not receive it (or received less than you should have), the only way to claim it now is through the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return.

• How it Works: The Recovery Rebate Credit functions as a refundable tax credit. If you didn’t receive your full stimulus amount, claiming this credit on your 2021 tax return will either increase your tax refund or reduce the amount of tax you owe.
• Filing Your 2021 Return:
  • If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return yet, you still can. You’ll need to accurately calculate the credit on your Form 1040, Line 30. Tax software and tax professionals can help you do this.
  • Crucial Deadline: The deadline to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit is generally three years from the tax filing deadline. For most, this means April 15, 2025. After this date, you will no longer be able to claim the credit.
• Amending Your 2021 Return: If you already filed your 2021 tax return but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, and you now realize you were eligible, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X.

Important Considerations and Warnings

• Keep Good Records: Always keep copies of your tax returns, any IRS notices (like Notice 1444-C), and bank statements. These are invaluable for verifying payments or claiming credits.
• Beware of Scams: The IRS will never contact you by phone, email, text message, or social media asking for personal or financial information related to your stimulus payment. Do not click on suspicious links or respond to unsolicited messages.
• Contact the IRS (as a last resort): The IRS phone lines are notoriously busy. Only call if you’ve exhausted all other avenues (Get My Payment tool, IRS online account, reviewing your 2021 return) and still have a specific question about your payment that can’t be answered by online resources.
• Consult a Tax Professional: If your situation is complex, or you’re unsure how to file or amend your tax return to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, consider consulting a qualified tax preparer or enrolled agent.

The third stimulus check provided significant financial relief for many. By following these steps and utilizing the available IRS tools, you should be able to definitively determine whether you received your payment or if you need to take action to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return before the deadline passes. Don’t leave money on the table if you’re entitled to it!