The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on many people’s lives. The government has responded by passing multiple relief bills that provide Americans with much-needed financial assistance. Many Americans have already received up to two stimulus checks, but if you haven’t received a third, don’t worry — here’s what you can do.
What is the Third Stimulus Check?
The third stimulus check is an additional payment of up to $1,400 per person and $2,800 per couple included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. President Biden signed the bill on March 11, 2021 and eligible Americans began receiving their checks almost immediately. If you haven’t gotten yours, though, don’t worry — the IRS is still sending stimulus payments.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Third Stimulus Check?
To be eligible for the third stimulus check, you must meet the following criteria:
• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• You must have a valid Social Security number
• You must have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000 for individuals or $150,000 for married filing jointly
• You must not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
If your income is above those thresholds, you may still be eligible for a partial payment.
When Will You Get Your Third Stimulus Check?
Most people who qualify for the third stimulus check will have already received it. If you haven’t gotten your check yet, the IRS will begin issuing them on a rolling basis through late 2021. In some cases, you may have to wait until late summer to receive your check.
Tax Years Used to Calculate Eligibility
The IRS will be using tax returns from 2019 or 2020 to calculate eligibility for the third stimulus check. If the IRS doesn’t have either of these returns in its system, it will use 2018 tax returns to determine eligibility. If you haven’t filed taxes in any of these years, you can still file a return to become eligible for the stimulus check.
What to Do if You Haven’t Received Your Third Stimulus Check
If you haven’t received your third stimulus check yet and think you may be eligible, there are a few steps you can take.
Check the Status of Your Payment
The IRS has set up the Get My Payment portal which allows you to check the status of your stimulus payment. You can also use the portal to update your banking information and provide any other necessary information to the IRS.
File or Adjust Your Tax Return
If you haven’t received your third stimulus check, try filing or adjusting your tax return in either 2019, 2020, or 2018. You can also use the IRS Non-Filers tool to submit information to the IRS to get your payment.
Contact the IRS
If all else fails, you can contact the IRS directly for more information about your third stimulus check. You can also call the IRS Coronavirus Hotline at 800-919-9835.
The passing of the American Rescue Plan provides much-needed financial help to millions of Americans. If you haven’t received your third stimulus check, don’t worry — there are a few steps you can take to make sure you get your payment. Check the status of your payment, file or adjust your tax return, and if all else fails, contact the IRS directly for help.
