Stimulus checks: IRS plus-up payment schedule, delivery deadline, everything still to know

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If you already got your stimulus check, will you get a plus-up payment, too?


Sarah Tew/CNET

Even if you already got your stimulus check through direct deposit or in the mail, the IRS might still owe you more money (track your payment schedule). Because the$1,400 payments are touching down in the middle of tax season, this third round is unique in that millions of people will qualify for catch-up money that the IRS is calling a “plus-up payment.” That also goes for people who don’t ordinarily file taxes and might find they’re due for a larger chunk of change.

Since the tax deadline now May 17, plus-up payments could stretch on for months (here’s how to check if the IRS processed your tax return or refund). But it might be you’re owed more money because of an old-fashioned calculation error or as a result of some sort of delay. For example, your stimulus money could still be in the mail (here’s how to track it), the IRS may not have enough information on your to send your payment or perhaps you moved and the agency doesn’t have your new address on file.

There’s a lot more to know about the checks besides, including how to report a problem with your payment and when to file a payment trace. For more money matters, find out if your state owes you money and brush up on the monthly child tax credit for $500, $,3000 or $3,600 per kid. Millions of people could also save thousands on health care costs, and here’s the latest with student loan debt forgiveness and a fourth stimulus check. This story was recently updated.

Stimulus plus-up payment information you need to know

A stimulus check plus-up payment is more money that the IRS and Department of the Treasury owe you for your stimulus check. You may get it for a number of reasons, but the bottom line is that if you’re not paying close attention, you may not realize you should expect the supplement. That’s why we strongly suggest you know how much money you should expect this stimulus round, track your payment and hold onto this IRS letter. We don’t want you leaving money on the table if you’re owed a plus-up payment that for whatever reason never arrives.


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Stimulus plus-up payments: What you need to know



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This is important, too: Plus-up payments are being delivered on a weekly basis, but only for this third check. A plus-up does not cover any money missing from the first two stimulus checks. We suggest you also know where to find your adjusted gross income. Tax nonfilers may need to be proactive about claiming a new dependent.

If your stimulus payment arrived through direct deposit, that’s how you should expect to receive your plus-up money, too. If the IRS doesn’t have your details on file, you may get a paper check instead (here’s how you’ll track it in the mail).

Stimulus check payments made to date

Direct deposit Paper checks EIP Card Direct Express Card Plus-up
First payment batch — March 17 90 million ($242 billion) 150,000 ($442 million) Not disclosed Not disclosed Not disclosed
Second payment batch — March 24 17 million ($38 billion) 15 million ($34 billion) 5 million ($11 billion) Not disclosed Not disclosed
Third payment batch, including Social Security — April 3 2 million ($5 billion) 2 million ($5 billion) Not disclosed Not disclosed Not disclosed
Fourth payment batch, including first plus-up payment — April 7 24 million ($33 billion) 1 million ($3 billion) Not disclosed 3.1 million 1 million ($2 million)
Fifth payment batch, including nonfiler veterans — April 14 1.2 million ($2 billion) 800,000 ($1.4 billion) Not disclosed Not disclosed 700,000 ($1.2 billion)

What if a smaller payment arrives?

The IRS isn’t particularly big on communicating how much money it calculates for your stimulus check. You won’t find that figure in the agency’s online tracking tool, but you will see it in the confirmation letter you’ll receive in the mail. (And here’s why you got the payment size you did.) 

So what happens if you use our stimulus check calculator and notice the numbers seem way off, or the IRS letter quotes an amount you didn’t receive? Start by triple checking your qualifications to make sure you’re eligible for the total you expect. Remember the IRS is automatically sending plus-up payments after the agency receives your 2020 tax return. If you had a baby or added a dependent in 2020, you won’t need to file an amended tax form to claim the supplement.

The IRS could open up claims for missing stimulus money before its Dec. 31 deadline to stop sending checks. If not, you might have to wait a year to claim it — when you file your 2021 taxes in 2022 (even if you’re a nonfiler who isn’t typically required to file taxes).


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IRS stimulus check schedule from now through December

While the IRS and Treasury say they’ve sent the bulk of stimulus check payments (at least the initial sums), the text of the March stimulus law gives these agencies until Dec. 31, 2021 to send all the third checks. That buys time to finish processing 2020 taxes, including for people who are owed plus-up payments, folks who file a 2020 tax extension and other groups, like those who moved or don’t have a fixed address (i.e., people experiencing homelessness).

If all or part of your stimulus check doesn’t arrive by then, you’ll need to claim your missing money via a 2021 tax return in April 2022, a year from now. This would be similar to the Recovery Rebate Credit for claiming missing money from the first two checks, which is currently in effect for 2020 taxes.

You may need to keep tracking your stimulus check

Knowing the status of your payment is an important part of making sure you know where your full payment stands. Keep an eye out in the Get My Payment tracker tool for plus-up payments or other information about your payment. The details are updated once a day, and can flag if there’s a problem with your payment that you may need to address by giving you a message.

You can also use a free tool from the USPS to track your mailed stimulus payment.

Common reasons all or part of your stimulus money never arrived

Also, here’s what to know if the IRS sent a letter confirming it sent your stimulus payment, but the money never arrived. Here’s more information on problems you might encounter with your stimulus check.

Stimulus check delivery start and end dates

First direct deposits made March 17 (official)
First paper checks sent Week of March 15
First EIP cards sent Week of March 22
First Social Security, SSI, SSDI payment sent Weekend of April 3, most arriving April 7
First plus-up payments Weekend of April 3
VA benefits for veteran nonfilers Week of April 14
IRS deadline to finish sending checks Dec. 31, 2021 (mandated by the bill)
Last date to receive a check January 2022 (if mailed checks sent late December)
Final claims for missing stimulus money 2021 tax season likely (in 2022)

Got a stimulus payment problem? What you have to do

The IRS doesn’t want you to call if you have any issue with the delivery or amount of your stimulus check. So what to do instead? Our guide walks you through how to report stimulus check problems, including checks that never arrive (try filing a payment trace), direct deposit payments that go to the wrong account and other issues.

Must-know: Your 2020 taxes could make a big difference

Taxes are now due May 17. So how will the IRS figure out how much it owes you? It will calculate your total (you can also do that here) based on the most recent tax filing it’s processed at the time it’s ready to tabulate the amount of your stimulus check.

If you know your tax return was already processed, your total will likely be based on your 2020 adjusted gross income, not on your 2019 AGI. That presents complications if the difference between the two years disqualifies you from getting a third stimulus check

On the flip side, if the IRS uses your 2019 taxes and you’re owed more money based on your 2020 AGI and dependents, you could get a plus-up payment. If you got more money than you’re owed, you’ll only need to return it to the IRS in some cases. 

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Millions may wind up getting a smaller check than they’re owed, depending on their 2020 taxes.


Sarah Tew/CNET

Stimulus check details for veterans, SSDI, SSI

Veterans receiving VA benefits and people who get SSDI and SSI benefits began receiving stimulus checks from the IRS and Treasury. Delivery details should now be available in the Get My Payment tool

You might get your stimulus money through direct deposit to existing Direct Express cards if this is how you normally receive benefits, and if you didn’t file taxes in 2019 or 2020. Otherwise, the money could come in the mail (here’s what to look for so you know it’s legit). The SSA says that Social Security beneficiaries like SSI and SSDI groups will not receive an EIP debit card. 

If you’re a tax nonfiler and you used the IRS’ Non-Filers tool by November 2020 to submit information, you may have already received your check before other Social Security recipients. 

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If you don’t get all your stimulus check money right away, you may need to address the issue down the road.


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Additional information for the following groups

Stimulus checks aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all situation. Here are guides for:

And here’s everything you need to know about the third stimulus check, how to calculate your stimulus total and every way the stimulus law can bring you more money.

source: cnet.com