Got Your $1,400 Stimulus Check But Not The Prior Two? Here's What to Do.

Got Your $1,400 Stimulus Check But Not The Prior Two? Here's What to Do.

While millions of Americans have seen the latest round of payments direct deposited into their respective accounts, there are still plenty of taxpayers who haven’t seen a dime from the first two stimulus checks.

In a mammoth effort to provide much-needed cash to millions of financially struggling Americans, the Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged that a total of one hundred twenty-seven million coronavirus relief checks have been sent out under the American Rescue Plan.

And know that to date, Congress over the past year has already green-lighted the delivery of three stimulus checks to most Americans—a $1,200 check in April 2020, $600 in December, and the current $1,400 payments.

While millions of Americans have seen the latest round of payments direct deposited into their respective accounts, there are still plenty of taxpayers who haven’t seen a dime from the first two stimulus checks.

If you do fit into this category, keep in mind that you can still try to claim the money that you’re entitled to from the U.S. government. For this tax season, a Recovery Rebate Credit has been added to all returns, so that people mired in this particular situation can eventually receive the overdue payments.

According to the IRS website, it states that “if you didn’t get any payments or got less than the full amounts, you may qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return to claim the credit even if you don’t normally file.”

The agency also advises that you keep the form you receive regarding your stimulus payment and refer to it when you file your tax return.

You can also speak to a live human regarding your missing checks by dialing 800-919-9835, but you should know that “IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time,” according to the agency’s website. Be aware that some individuals have confirmed that they haven’t been able to get through to a live representative.

For married folks out there, know that the IRS has admitted that some couples are receiving their stimulus checks in two separate payments. According to the agency, the reason is apparently due to a glitch in the system that divides the payments for married couples in which one individual has filed an injured spousal claim.

Also, perhaps the reason why you didn’t get the first two stimulus checks is because you failed to meet the income thresholds, so make sure to confirm if you even qualify.

According to the details of the American Rescue Plan, individuals who earn as much as $75,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI), or couples making $150,000—in addition to their children or adult dependents—qualify for the full $1,400 per individual.

Moreover, single parents with at least one dependent who earn $112,500 or less also get the full amount. Families in which some members have different citizenship and immigration classifications are eligible for a payment, if at least one person has a Social Security number.

The payments, however, phase out much more quickly than in previous rounds—an individual with an income of $80,000, or a couple with $160,000, will not be receiving any check.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek, and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn.