How Do I Check the Status of My $1400 Stimulus Check?

Short Answer: The $1,400 stimulus payments were part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and have all been sent. If you didn’t receive yours, you can claim it as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 or 2022 tax return. Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool or the Economic Impact Payment portal at irs.gov to check your status.

What Was the $1,400 Stimulus Check?

The third round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP3) provided up to $1,400 per eligible individual (including dependents of any age) as part of the COVID-19 pandemic relief. The income limits were:

• Single filers: AGI up to $75,000 to receive full payment; phase-out from $75,000-$80,000
• Heads of household: AGI up to $112,500 to receive full payment; phase-out from $112,500-$120,000
• Married Filing Jointly: AGI up to $150,000 to receive full payment; phase-out from $150,000-$160,000

How to Check Your Stimulus Payment Status

Step 1: Check the IRS Economic Impact Payment Portal

Visit irs.gov/eip. This tool tells you whether your payment was:

• Issued: Includes the payment date, method (direct deposit or check), and amount
• Pending: Being processed
• Not issued: You’ll need to claim it as a Recovery Rebate Credit

Step 2: Use “Where’s My Refund?” for 2021/2022 Recovery Rebate Credit

If you never received a stimulus payment, you can claim the missing amount on your 2021 or 2022 tax return using the Recovery Rebate Credit (Line 11 on Form 1040). This requires filing your tax return even if you otherwise wouldn’t file.

Step 3: Check Your Bank Account or Mail

If the IRS says your payment was issued:

• Direct deposit: Check your bank account for an IRS Treasury deposit labeled “TAX REFUND” or “EIP”
• Paper check: Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. If you moved, forward your mail with USPS.

What If the IRS Says the Payment Was Returned?

If the IRS indicates your payment was returned (e.g., because your address was invalid or the bank account was closed), they will mail a paper check to your last known address. You can update your address with the IRS using Form 8822.

Who Is Still Waiting for a $1,400 Payment?

Most people who were eligible have already received their payment. Common reasons some haven’t:

• Non-filers who didn’t register with the IRS: The IRS didn’t know about certain low-income individuals or dependents who hadn’t filed taxes.
• People who moved: Payments sent to old addresses may have been returned.
• Those with ITINs but no SSN: Some mixed-status families were eligible but had filing complications.

How to Claim a Missing Stimulus Payment

1. File your 2021 tax return (even if you don’t normally file): Use the Recovery Rebate Credit on Form 1040 to claim the missing amount.
2. File your 2022 tax return if still missing: The IRS extended the eligibility window for claiming EIP3 as a Recovery Rebate Credit.
3. Check your state: Some states issued their own stimulus payments with different eligibility rules.

The Bottom Line

The $1,400 stimulus checks are no longer being actively sent. If you never received yours, file a tax return for the relevant year and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. If the IRS shows your payment was issued but you never received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-919-9835 to request a trace.