Just to be clear on how to claim missing stimulus payments as the Recovery Rebate Credit, follow these steps:
- Go to the search box and enter stimulus. Click the Jump to link.
- Answer Yes.
- At the next screen, Let's double-check the amount you received, answer No to edit the first-round and second-round amounts.
- If no stimulus amount was received, enter 0. An amount must be entered in each box. When finished, click Continue.
Secondly, the comment about the penalty meant the difference between what could have been claimed using 2019 income versus what will be claimed using 020 income.
Had the 2019 tax return been filed, those values would have been used to determine the amount of the stimulus payment. However, if it was not filed by the deadline of July 15, 2020 or the extended deadline of October 15, 2020, then the second stimulus payment must be claimed on the 2020 tax return and use 2020 income.
For more information about eligibility and calculation of the second stimulus payment, see:
Questions and Answers about the Second Economic Impact Payment | Internal Revenue Service
