IRS Still Sending Out $1,400 Stimulus Checks. Too Late to Claim Them?

IRS Still Sending Out $1,400 Stimulus Checks. Too Late to Claim Them?

With more than 86 percent of the $450 billion total earmarked already disbursed under President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, it appears that the agency is in the final weeks of completing its job.

The Internal Revenue Service over the past two months has worked tirelessly to send out one hundred sixty-five million coronavirus stimulus checks with a value of $388 billion.

With more than 86 percent of the $450 billion total earmarked already disbursed under President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, it appears that the agency is in the final weeks of completing its job.

However, there are still reports of eligible cash-strapped Americans saying that they have yet to be paid by the U.S. government—and in some cases, not even from the first two rounds of stimulus checks.

The May 17 Tax Day deadline may have already passed, but the IRS says that Americans can still get their hands on the missing payments. All they have to do is apply for an extension of time to file and complete all the forms by the October 15 tax filing extension deadline.

Do keep in mind that if one chooses this route, taxpayers are still responsible for interest and penalties that could continue to accrue on any tax owed.

According to the IRS, a Recovery Rebate Credit has been added to all returns this tax season, making it possible to claim past stimulus funds.

“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 IRS website states.

For those who still haven’t seen their $1,400 stimulus checks from this current third round, they should request an IRS payment trace. To request one, first call the IRS at 800-919-9835 or mail or fax a completed Form 3911, “Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.” If the trace request was done over the phone, then filling out Form 3911 is no longer necessary. 

A last-resort option for frustrated individuals is to speak to a live human regarding their missing checks. The IRS Economic Impact Payment phone number is 800-919-9835, but be warned that “IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time,” according to the agency’s website.

It could also be worthwhile to check to see if one qualifies for the new stimulus. Know that the IRS has continuously reminded all U.S. taxpayers that the income levels for this third round of stimulus have changed, which means that some people won’t be eligible for this payment even if they received a first or second stimulus check without any issues.

According to the details of Biden’s legislation, those who earn as much as $75,000 in adjusted gross income, or couples making $150,000, qualify for the full $1,400 per person. However, an individual with an income of $80,000, or a couple with $160,000, will receive nothing this time around. 

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.