The first two rounds of Economic Impact Payments were advance payments of the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Most eligible people already received the payments and won't include this information on their 2020 tax return.
Who May Be Eligible to Claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit?
If you didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return even if you don't usually file a tax return.
Act Soon to Claim Missing Stimulus Payments
If you haven’t filed a 2020 tax return, it’s not too late if you missed out on the first two rounds of stimulus payments. If you didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts and are eligible for them, you can get that missing money, but you need to act soon.
You’ll need to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit by filing a 2020 tax return or, if you are not required to file a tax return, by using the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool. The tool is focused on the Child Tax Credit, but you do not need to have a child to use the tool to claim your Third Economic Impact Payment. If you’re eligible, you should file or use the tool as soon as possible to give the IRS time to process and issue the payments before the end of 2021.
Avoid refund delays. If you received less than the full amounts for the first and second Economic Impact Payment, you must know the amounts you received to accurately calculate any Recovery Rebate Credit. See Finding the Amount of your First and Second Payments for more information.
Filing a 2020 Tax Return
File electronically and the tax software will help you figure your 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.
Non-filer Sign-up Tool
Use this tool if you did not get the full amounts of the first and second Economic Impact Payment and you:
- Are not required to file a 2020 tax return, didn’t file and don’t plan to, AND
- Are eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and get your third Economic Impact Payment
Note: You do not need to have children or be claiming the 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit to use this tool. We use information you enter in the tool to calculate and send to eligible people the Recovery Rebate Credit and the third Economic Impact Payment as well as any advance payment of the Child Tax Credit for which you may be eligible.
Details on Electronic Filing Options
- IRS Free File Program and Free File Fillable Forms – Prepare and file your federal taxes online for free.
- Tax Professionals – Find how to choose a qualified tax preparer.
The Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet in the 2020 Form 1040 and Form 1040-SR instructions can also help determine if you are eligible for the credit and how much you can claim.
Anyone with income of $72,000 or less can file their federal tax return electronically for free through the IRS Free File Program. The fastest way to get your tax refund is to file electronically and have it direct deposited - contactless and free - into your financial account. You can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or alternative financial products for your direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account numbers.
The fastest way to get your Recovery Rebate Credit (sent as a tax refund) is to file electronically and have it direct deposited into your financial account. You can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or alternative financial products for your direct deposit. You will need to provide routing and account numbers.
Finding the Amount of your First and Second Payments
Avoid refund delays. You will need the amount of any first and second Economic Impact Payments you received to calculate your 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit amount using the RRC Worksheet or tax preparation software. Here’s where you can find these amounts:
- View Your Online Account – Securely access your individual tax information with an IRS online account including your first and second Economic Impact Payment amount.
- IRS letters – IRS mailed Notice 1444 for the first Economic Impact Payment and Notice 1444-B for the second Economic Impact Payment to the address we have on file.
Refer to this information when you complete your 2020 tax return. If you're eligible for the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, you will use the information in your tax preparation software or on the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet to calculate your credit amount.
Any first and second Economic Impact Payments we issued to you will reduce the amount of 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit you are eligible for.
