You could be missing one or more of the stimulus checks announced by successive administrations in 2020 and 2021. There are many more payments to come as the last date for dispatching the third payments is December 31, 2021. But if you reckon that your third stimulus check of $1,400 or more is mislaid, you will have to trace the check. The same holds for the first and the second payment made in 2020.
The most common and obvious reason is that the IRS doesn’t have any information about you. If the authorities don’t have your banking details or your present address, you will not receive your stimulus check. You might also have received part of the payment and a follow-up payment is due from the IRS. You will automatically receive the follow-up payment. You do not have to make amends in your tax form.
Following Up On A Missing Stimulus Check
The third stimulus check is still being sent out in batches and it might be prudent to wait it out. But you need to act if you haven’t received your first or second stimulus check.
The first two of the three stimulus checks were sent out in the middle and end of 2020. If for some reason you haven’t received it you could file a Recovery Rebate Credit form along with the tax return for 2020. The last date for submission has been extended to May 17. So you need to hurry up if you don’t want to miss your previous stimulus payments. You can no longer make use of the Get My Payment app to track down your payment.
For the third stimulus check, you should keep track of the number of days it normally takes for a stimulus payment to finally reach you. But it depends on the mode of payment. If it is a direct deposit, it should take 5 days at the most. A mailed stimulus check could take anything between 4 to 9 weeks depending on your location.
Making Use Of The Get My Payment Tool To Trace Your Third Stimulus Check
In the third installment, around $384B has been dispatched through 163M payments made by the IRS. And many more are on the way. Payments were delayed because the IRS doesn’t have sufficient information to process the payments earlier. And at times it has to depend on other agencies for information, as in the case of the Social Security beneficiaries.
You can log into the IRS tracker by entering the Social Security number (or ITIN number), your date of birth, and the current mailing address including your postal code.
Information Contained In The IRS Tracker
You will not get information on the amount of the stimulus check. but you will know the status of your payment if it has been sent, or is up for mailing out. The second information is the method of payment. If your payment method has been shown as being through the mail, you can expect a delay.
Finding an error or any other message is a sign that you need to do something about it. You will have to request a trace of your payment if you haven’t got the check within the specified period.
The Letter From The Agency
You will get a letter signed by the President from the IRS around 15 days after you receive your payment. This letter, Notice 1444-C of your economic impact payment, contains complete details of your payment. If you have received this letter without receiving your stimulus check, you will have to file a trace immediately.
The process of sending out the mail has also been followed for all three stimulus checks. this letter contains details of the payment. If you find that you have missed out on some part of the stimulus payment, or have missed the stimulus payment altogether, you will need to file a complaint and tag this letter as a reference.
Keep the letter carefully, as you will need the details to file a payment trace.
Filing A Payment Trace
You will have to fax or mail a filled-up form called Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund. You can also get through to the IRS representative at 800-919-9835.
There are some details you need to be careful about while filing Form 3911. You should write EIP3 (Economic Impact Payment) on the form. You also have to complete the other part related to refund and payments.
You need to be careful while filling Section 1, Item 7. The Type of Return should be entered as ‘Individual’. The Tax Period is ‘2021’. Leave the Date Filed part blank. Do not fail to sign. Your spouse also has to sign if you are filing jointly.
Do not mail the form if you have already initiated the process by telephone with one of the representatives of the IRS.
How Does The IRS Process Such Requests?
It takes around 6 weeks for the IRS to respond to your request. But the process may get delayed as the IRS said that they are understaffed.
How Do I Update My Mailing Information?
If you have moved recently you will have to update your address, both with the IRS and the US postal service. The easiest way to do so is by filing your latest tax returns. Your details should get updated immediately.
Or you can complete Form 8822 or Form 8822-B. You may also write to the IRS informing them of the change in your address. You should provide the full name, the old and the new address, the social security number, the ITIN or employer identification number, and the signature. Both should sign if you file your return jointly. The whole process may take up to 6 weeks.
What If I Miss Out On The IRS Letter?
If you do not receive the letter sent out by the IRS confirming your payment, you can access the info from the IRS website in your tax account.
If you have not set up an online account, use the blue button on the account page of the IRS and click on the Create or View Your Account line.
You will have to enter your details, your financial and tax information. You also have to put in a mail address, and a phone number to access the activation codes.
For those filing jointly, each spouse will have to log in to their accounts.
What If You Can’t Sign Up On The Online Account Of The IRS?
The IRS sends two activation codes. If you do not get it immediately, the IRS mails the same through the US postal service. Use their online tool to keep track of your letter. It should reach you within 10 days.
The IRS online account will help you get information that was in the posted letter. You might not find the information immediately as the IRS has said that it should come through in a few weeks.
