Stimulus

[Kiki15]

I filed my 2020 tax return (form 1040) last year and didn’t receive any stimulus checks, so then I filed the 1040 again with my recovery rebate credit being 1800. I received the $600 from the year 2020, and the $1400 from 2021, but never received  the $1200. What forms do I fill out to get it? Do I file the recovery rebate again for $1200 or do I fill out form 3011? 

[AliciaP1]

The Recovery Rebate Credit applies to the 3rd Stimulus payment received in early 2021.  There is no process on your 2021 return to claim any additional stimulus funds outside of the $1,400 per family member that would have been eligible in 2021.

Here’s how to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit:

1. Enter all of your federal return information as you would normally
2. During the Federal Review, we’ll check if you meet eligibility requirements for the stimulus payment
3. If you meet the requirements, you'll see the Did you get a third stimulus? screen
4. Answer a few questions about any payments you've already received and then we'll let you know if the Recovery Rebate Credit applies
   • If you need to make any changes to your stimulus credit responses, search for stimulus and select the jump-to link to return to the section. Enter your updated info and Continue

It’s important that you enter the correct amount of the stimulus payment you received. Third stimulus payments were made beginning in March. You can find the exact amount:

• On your IRS letter-Notice 1444-C which was mailed to you with the headline, “Your Economic Impact Payment Has Arrived” and was signed by the president, or
• By visiting the IRS View Your Account Information page and creating or accessing your account, or
• In your bank statements. You might be able to search your online statements for deposits made by the IRS or US Treasury

[Kiki15]

@AliciaP1 Thank you for your reply but I never received my $1200 from the first round of stimulus checks in 2020. I’m not trying to claim any additional funds from 2021. I don’t understand how I didn’t get the $1200, but got the other two! 

[AliciaP1]

The 2020 stimulus payments were either based on your AGI from 2019 or 2020 depending on the payment and when you filed your return.  These stimulus payments were not guaranteed amounts nor was there a Credit process built to "reclaim" any amounts you didn't receive.

[Kiki15]

I qualified for the 1200 stimulus just never received it when I was supposed to. So there’s no way I can file the recovery rebate credit for that 1200 or any other form? If there was no way to “reclaim” the money then what’s the recovery rebate for? That’s claiming money that you didn’t receive, but owed. Correct?

[KrisD15]

One thing to consider is this-

Did you get the full first and second stimulus on your 2020 tax return but part of the credit offset your tax liability? The credit is not paid as a separate payment. 

Please look at your 2020 1040 line 30 and then line 35a

Is the full 1800 listed? 

You would need to file an amended 2020 return to be reimbursed for the first or second stimulus. 

According to the IRS:

"All first and second Economic Impact Payments have been sent out by the IRS. 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 by filing a 2020 tax return if you have not filed yet or by amending your 2020 tax return if it's already been processed. Your Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return will reduce the amount of tax you owe for 2020 or be included in your tax refund. Here's how eligible individuals claim the credit:

Do Not claim any missing first or second payments on your 2021 tax return.

File a 2020 tax return if you have not filed one yet or amend your 2020 tax return if your 2020 return has already been processed. Your Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return will reduce the amount of tax you owe for 2020 or be included in your tax refund. Here's how eligible individuals claim the credit:"

IRS LINK

[Kiki15]

No I don’t have any tax liability prior to 2020 that I hadn’t already paid. I got the full 600, but nothing else from that year when I was eligible. So even though I already filed a rebate and filled in 1800, and only got the 600, I can still file an amended tax return? 

[KrisD15]

Yes, you can file an amended 2020 tax year return, however I wasn't implying that you had an outstanding tax liability before filing, I simply am pointing out that the credit might have offset tax due on the 2020 1040. 

Knowing the amounts on lines 30 and 35a of the 2020 1040 would be helpful.

[Kiki15]

Yes I had no tax due on my 2020 tax return. Both lines 30 & 30a were 1800.

[VolvoGirl]

$1,800 on line 30 was included in the refund or reduced a tax due.  1800 is 1200 for the first Stimulus payment and 600 for the second one.   I don't understand the problem?  Line 30 is only if you didn't get either amount or qualify for more.  Like if you added a dependent.  

[Kiki15]

The problem is I put down 1800 on line 30 because I qualified for both the 1200 and 600 stimulus payment, but only received the 600. I don’t have any prior tax due either so I’m trying to find a way to claim the 1200 I’m owed