The arrival of the third Economic Impact Payment, authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, brought much-needed financial relief to millions of Americans. For many, these funds arrived swiftly via direct deposit. However, a significant number of households received, or were slated to receive, their $1,400 per eligible individual via a paper check in the mail or a prepaid debit card (EIP Card).
If you’re among those still waiting for your third stimulus check to land in your mailbox, the experience can be frustrating and anxiety-inducing. Unlike direct deposits, which can often be confirmed within hours, tracking a physical check through the mail system requires a different approach. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to ascertain the status of your payment, understand potential delays, and know what actions to take if your check appears to be lost or missing.
Understanding the Third Stimulus Check and Its Disbursement
Before diving into tracking, it’s essential to recap the basics of the third stimulus payment.
- Amount: Eligible individuals received up to $1,400, with an additional $1,400 for each dependent (including adult dependents).
- Eligibility: Payments were based primarily on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 2019 or 2020 tax return, whichever the IRS had on file. The full payment went to individuals with AGIs up to $75,000, heads of household up to $112,500, and married couples filing jointly up to $150,000. Payments phased out above these thresholds.
- Payment Methods:
- Direct Deposit: The fastest method, sent to bank accounts on file with the IRS.
- Paper Check: Mailed to the address on file if direct deposit information wasn’t available or valid.
- EIP Card: A prepaid debit card loaded with the stimulus amount, also mailed.
The IRS began sending out payments in batches, starting with direct deposits, followed by paper checks and EIP cards. While most payments have been distributed, issues can arise that prevent a check from reaching its intended recipient.
The Primary Tool: IRS Get My Payment
Your first and most crucial step in tracking your third stimulus check, regardless of how it was sent, is to utilize the IRS’s Get My Payment online tool. This tool provides the most up-to-date information the IRS has on the status of your payment.
How to Use Get My Payment:
- Access the Tool: Go to the official IRS website and navigate to the "Get My Payment" tool (typically found under the "Tools" section or by searching "Get My Payment").
- Provide Information: You will need to enter the following details exactly as they appear on your most recent tax return:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Date of Birth
- Street Address
- ZIP Code
- Review Your Status: Once you’ve entered your information, the tool will display your payment status.
Deciphering Your Get My Payment Status
Understanding the messages from Get My Payment is key to knowing what action, if any, you need to take.
- "Payment Status: Payment Scheduled" with a Date: This is the ideal message if you’re waiting for a paper check. It means your payment has been processed and a check was mailed (or an EIP Card sent) on the specified date.
- Action: If this message appears, note the date. The IRS advises allowing up to four weeks from the mail date for the check to arrive. Factors like mail volume, local postal service efficiency, and severe weather can all impact delivery times.
- "Payment Status: Not Available": This message can be confusing and frustrating, as it doesn’t immediately tell you if you’re eligible or not. It could mean:
- Your payment hasn’t been processed yet.
- You don’t meet the eligibility criteria for a payment.
- The IRS doesn’t have enough information to issue a payment.
- You are an IRS or government employee or a non-filer who did not provide necessary information.
- Action: Continue to check the tool periodically, especially if you believe you are eligible. The IRS updates the system daily. If the status doesn’t change after several weeks and you are certain of your eligibility, you may need to consider the Recovery Rebate Credit (discussed later).
- "Need More Information": This indicates that your payment was sent, but the Post Office returned it to the IRS as undeliverable. This often happens due to an incorrect or outdated address.
- Action: The tool will provide a link to update your mailing address. Once updated, the IRS will reprocess your payment.
- "Payment Not Processed": This usually means there was an issue with your direct deposit information, or it’s still being processed for a paper check.
- Action: No immediate action is required on your part. Continue to monitor the tool.
Why You Might Receive a Paper Check (or EIP Card)
Even if you’ve received previous stimulus payments via direct deposit, you might get a paper check this time. Common reasons include:
- No Direct Deposit Information on File: If the IRS didn’t have current bank account information from your latest tax return or other government benefit programs.
- Invalid Bank Account: Your direct deposit information was incorrect, or the account was closed.
- Fraud Prevention: For security reasons, the IRS might opt for a mailed check if there are any suspicious activities or changes detected.
- Change in Payment Method: Sometimes, the IRS may switch from direct deposit to paper check without prior notification.
Beyond Get My Payment: Other IRS Resources
While Get My Payment is your primary tool, other resources can offer general information but are not for specific payment tracking.
- IRS.gov Website: The official IRS website has extensive FAQs about the stimulus checks. These can clarify eligibility rules, payment timelines, and common issues.
- IRS Phone Lines (with caution): You can try calling the IRS at 1-800-919-9835. However, be prepared for extremely long wait times. IRS representatives typically have access to the same information available on the Get My Payment tool and cannot provide faster processing or specific mail delivery updates. Only call if the Get My Payment tool advises you to, or if you’ve exhausted all other options and suspect a significant issue.
Understanding Potential Delays or Missing Checks
If Get My Payment shows your check was mailed, but it hasn’t arrived within the expected timeframe (4 weeks), several factors could be at play:
- Address Changes: If you moved recently and didn’t update your address with the IRS, the check might have been sent to your old address. While the USPS often forwards mail, this isn’t guaranteed for government checks.
- Incorrect Address on File: A simple typo in your address on your tax return could cause delivery issues.
- Bank Account Issues (for direct deposit attempts): If the IRS initially attempted a direct deposit that failed, it would then typically issue a paper check, which can cause further delays.
- Mail Theft: Unfortunately, mail theft is a reality. If your mailbox isn’t secure, your check could be stolen.
- USPS Delays: High mail volume, staffing shortages, or severe weather can all contribute to significant postal delays.
- IRS Processing Backlogs: Despite efforts, the IRS can face backlogs in processing payments or addressing specific taxpayer issues.
- Deceased Taxpayer: If the payment was issued to a deceased individual, it must be returned to the IRS.
- ITIN Holders: Individuals who filed with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) may experience longer processing times.
What to Do If Your Check is Missing or Lost: Initiating a Payment Trace
If Get My Payment indicates your check was mailed, and it’s been longer than the recommended waiting period, your next step is to initiate a payment trace with the IRS. This is the official procedure for investigating a missing or lost stimulus check.
When to Initiate a Payment Trace:
You can request a payment trace only if all of the following apply:
- It has been at least 4 weeks since your check was mailed according to the Get My Payment tool.
- It has been at least 6 weeks since your check was mailed if you have a forwarding address on file with the Post Office.
- It has been at least 9 weeks since your check was mailed if you have a foreign address.
- The Get My Payment tool does not show that your payment was returned to the IRS.
How to Initiate a Payment Trace:
There are two primary ways to request a payment trace:
By Phone:
- Call the IRS at 800-919-9835.
- Be prepared for long wait times.
- Once connected, inform the representative that you wish to initiate a payment trace for your missing Economic Impact Payment. They will guide you through the process, which often involves verifying your identity and the payment details.
By Mail (Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund):
- While Form 3911 is primarily for missing tax refunds, the IRS has instructed taxpayers to use it for missing stimulus checks as well.
- Download Form 3911: Go to IRS.gov and search for "Form 3911."
- Fill out the Form:
- Section I (Taxpayer Information): Fill in your name, address, and SSN/ITIN.
- Section II (Refund Information):
- Item 7: For the tax period, write "EIP3" (for Economic Impact Payment 3).
- Item 8: For the type of return, write "EIP."
- Item 9: Do NOT check any boxes here.
- Item 10: In the space provided, clearly state "EIP3 – Missing Economic Impact Payment."
- Item 11: Write the amount of your missing payment ($1,400 or higher if for multiple eligible individuals/dependents).
- Item 12: Check the box that says "Check was not received."
- Section III (Signature): Sign and date the form.
- Mail the Form: Mail the completed Form 3911 to the IRS address for your state, which can be found in the form’s instructions. Keep a copy for your records.
What Happens After Initiating a Payment Trace?
Once the IRS receives your payment trace request, they will conduct an investigation. This process can take up to 6-8 weeks, or even longer, due to high volume.
- If the IRS finds that the check was NOT cashed: They will issue you a replacement check.
- If the IRS finds that the check WAS cashed: They will send you a copy of the cashed check (front and back) along with an affidavit. You will need to review the cashed check to determine if the signature is yours or if it was fraudulently endorsed. If it was fraudulently cashed, you’ll need to complete and return the affidavit, and the IRS will investigate further and potentially reissue the payment.
Important Note: The IRS will not issue a second payment while a trace is in progress. You cannot claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on a tax return if a trace is active for that payment.
Preparing for the Payment Trace
Before you call or mail Form 3911, gather the following information to make the process smoother:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Your full mailing address.
- The date your payment was mailed (from Get My Payment).
- The exact amount of your missing payment.
- Your phone number and email address.
The Recovery Rebate Credit: Your Last Resort
If you’ve gone through all the steps, including checking Get My Payment and initiating a payment trace, and still haven’t received your third stimulus check by the time you file your next tax return (e.g., your 2021 tax return, typically filed in 2022), you can claim the payment as a Recovery Rebate Credit.
- The Recovery Rebate Credit is a refundable tax credit that allows you to claim any Economic Impact Payment amounts you were eligible for but did not receive.
- You will calculate the amount you’re owed based on your 2021 tax situation (which might differ from the 2019/2020 data the IRS used for initial payments).
- You will file Form 1040 or 1040-SR and specifically fill out the Recovery Rebate Credit worksheet or section to claim the missing amount.
Crucial Point: You can only claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if the IRS has not issued your payment, or if a trace has concluded that the payment was not cashed and was not reissued. You cannot claim it while a payment trace is ongoing.
General Tips for Mail Delivery
While not directly related to IRS tracking, these tips can help you monitor your mail:
- USPS Informed Delivery: Sign up for this free service from the U.S. Postal Service. It provides daily email notifications with grayscale images of your incoming mail, allowing you to see what’s scheduled to arrive in your mailbox. This can give you an early heads-up if a government check is on its way.
- Secure Mailbox: Ensure your mailbox is secure and promptly retrieve your mail to prevent theft.
Conclusion
Waiting for a stimulus check to arrive by mail can be a test of patience, especially when financial stability is at stake. By leveraging the IRS Get My Payment tool, understanding its messages, and knowing when and how to initiate a payment trace, you empower yourself with the information and actions needed to secure your rightful payment. Remember to keep meticulous records of all communications and dates. While the process may take time, following these steps provides the clearest path to resolving a missing third stimulus check.