You can claim stimulus money you didn't receive by filing a tax return or amending a past one

If you didn't receive one or more of the three federal stimulus payments issued between 2020 and 2021, you can claim the money on your tax return. The IRS treats unclaimed stimulus as a refundable tax credit, which means you get the money back even if you owe no taxes. You claim it using a specific form that matches the payment year, and the process works the same whether you're filing a return for the first time or correcting a past year.

The three payments were issued in 2020 (first payment), 2021 (second payment), and 2021 (third payment). Each one had different income limits and payment amounts depending on your filing status and number of dependents. If you were homeless, incarcerated, or living abroad during a payment period, you may not have received it even if you were otherwise may be able to access. If you moved without updating your address with the IRS, your check may have been returned to the government.

Key Takeaways

  • You claim missed stimulus payments using Form 1040 (the main tax form) plus a worksheet or schedule that corresponds to which payment year you're claiming.
  • If you didn't file a tax return for the year a payment was issued, you must file one now to claim that stimulus money.
  • You can amend a past return using Form 1040-X if you filed but didn't claim the stimulus credit at the time.
  • The IRS has no important date to claim stimulus payments, but the sooner you file, the sooner you receive the refund.
  • You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, income information, and the number of dependents you claimed that year.

Understanding which stimulus payment you missed and when it was issued

The first stimulus payment was issued starting in April 2020. The second was issued starting in December 2020. The third was issued starting in March 2021. Each payment had a maximum amount per adult, per spouse, and per dependent, but the amounts and income limits differed across the three rounds.

To figure out which payments you missed, check the IRS's "Get My Payment" tool on IRS.gov, which shows the status of all three payments under your Social Security number. If it says "payment status not available," the payment was either not issued to you or was returned. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask a representative to look up your payment history. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the year in question ready.

If you received a payment but it went to the wrong bank account (for example, an old account you closed), the IRS may have issued a check instead. That check may have been lost or returned to the IRS. The "Get My Payment" tool will show you the address where a check was mailed, which helps you determine whether it reached you.

File a new return if you didn't file for that tax year

If you didn't file a tax return for 2020, 2021, or 2022 (the three years stimulus payments were issued), you must file one to claim the stimulus money. You cannot claim a stimulus payment without filing a return for that year, even if you had no income or no tax liability.

Start by gathering your income documents for that year: W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms for self-employment or other income, and records of any deductions you want to claim. If you had no income, you still need to file — bring your Social Security number and filing status information. You can file using tax software (many offer free filing if your income is below a certain threshold), through a tax preparer, or by mailing Form 1040 and supporting schedules to the IRS.

On Form 1040, you'll see a line for the stimulus credit. The exact line number changes by year: for 2020 returns, it's one line; for 2021, it's a different line; for 2022, it's another. Your tax software will guide you to the right place. You enter the amount of stimulus you should have received (not the amount you actually received, since you received zero). The IRS will compare that to their records and send you the difference as a refund.

Amend a past return if you filed but didn't claim the stimulus

If you filed a tax return for 2020, 2021, or 2022 but didn't claim the stimulus payment at the time, you can amend that return using Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). This form tells the IRS you want to change a return you already filed.

On Form 1040-X, you'll list the original amount you reported for the stimulus credit (usually zero if you didn't claim it) and the corrected amount (the full stimulus you should have received). You attach a copy of the original return and any supporting documents. Mail Form 1040-X to the address shown in the form's instructions for your state. Do not file it electronically unless your tax software specifically supports amended returns.

The IRS typically processes amended returns within 16 weeks of receipt. You can check the status by calling 1-800-829-1040 or using the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool on IRS.gov after you've filed. Keep a copy of Form 1040-X and the mailing receipt for your records.

Gather the documents and information you'll need

Before you file or amend, collect the following: your Social Security number (or ITIN if you're a non-citizen resident), your spouse's Social Security number if filing jointly, the number of dependents you claimed that year, your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.), and your total income for that year.

You'll also need to know the stimulus amount you should have received. The IRS website has a chart showing payment amounts by filing status and number of dependents for each of the three years. For example, the first payment in 2020 was $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent; the second in 2020 was $600 per adult and $600 per dependent; the third in 2021 was $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per dependent. Income limits applied, so if your income exceeded a certain threshold, your payment was reduced or eliminated.

If you're amending a return, also gather a copy of the original return you filed. If you don't have it, you can request a transcript from the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040 or visiting IRS.gov and using the "Get Transcript" tool.

What happens after you file or amend your return

Once you file a new return or amend an old one claiming the stimulus credit, the IRS will process it. If you're owed a refund (which you will be if you're claiming stimulus you didn't receive), the IRS will send it to you by direct deposit if you provided banking information, or by check if you didn't.

Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return. Check refunds take longer — usually four to six weeks from acceptance. You can track your refund using the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov, which updates once a day and shows the expected deposit or mailing date.

If the IRS denies your claim for stimulus (for example, because your income exceeded the limit that year), they'll send you a letter explaining why. You can respond to that letter or file an appeal, but you cannot claim stimulus for a year in which your income disqualified you.

Special situations: dependents, non-filers, and people with no income

If you were claimed as a dependent on someone else's return in 2020, 2021, or 2022, you were not may be able to access for a stimulus payment that year, even if you had your own income. You cannot claim stimulus for a year in which you were a dependent. However, if you were not a dependent in one of those years (for example, you turned 18 and filed your own return), you can claim stimulus for that year.

If you had no income in a stimulus year, you still needed to file a return to receive the payment. You can file now and claim the stimulus retroactively. Bring your Social Security number and filing status; tax software will walk you through the process even if your income was zero.

If you were incarcerated during a stimulus payment period, you were not may be able to access for that payment. The IRS does not issue stimulus to incarcerated individuals. If you were released and are now filing a return, you can claim stimulus for any year before or after your incarceration in which you were otherwise may be able to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim stimulus payments from multiple years on the same return?

Yes. If you're filing a 2022 return and missed stimulus from 2020, 2021, and 2022, you claim all three on that single return. Each payment has its own line or section on Form 1040, and you enter the amount for each year. If you're amending a past return, you can only amend that specific year — you cannot add a 2020 stimulus claim to a 2021 amended return.

What if I received part of a stimulus payment but not all of it?

Enter the full amount you should have received on your return. The IRS will compare that to what they have on record and send you the difference. For example, if you should have received $1,200 but only got $800, you enter $1,200 and the IRS will send you $400.

Do I need to report stimulus payments as income?

No. Stimulus payments are not taxable income and do not reduce your refund or increase what you owe. They are a credit, not income, so they do not appear on the income lines of your return.

How long do I have to claim a missed stimulus payment?

There is no important date. You can claim stimulus payments years after they were issued. However, the sooner you file, the sooner you receive your refund. If you're claiming stimulus from 2020 and it's now 2024, you can still file a return or amend a past return and receive the money.

What if the IRS says I'm not may be able to access for stimulus?

The most common reason for ineligibility is income that exceeded the limit for that year. If your income was above the threshold, you were not may be able to access and cannot claim that stimulus. You can request a letter from the IRS explaining the reason for denial and can appeal if you believe the decision is wrong, but you cannot override an income-based disqualification.