Stimulus Payments

The deadline to claim a missing stimulus payment passed on April 15, 2025.

Stimulus payments, called “Recovery Rebate Credits” by the IRS, were issued in 2020 and 2021. Individuals who didn’t receive their 2021 payment had until April 15, 2025, to file or amend a tax return and claim a missing payment. That deadline has now passed.

What if my stimulus money was issued, but was lost, stolen or destroyed?

You can start a payment trace by calling the IRS at 800-919-9835. Or mail or fax a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, to the IRS. For more information about payment tracing, go to IRS Payment Trace.

Can I check the status of my payments?

You can check the status of any of your payments by going to (or creating) your IRS Online Account.

Need help filing a return?

During the next tax filing season (roughly February to April of 2026), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites can help you file a return for free.

This information was last updated in April 2025.