Thanks. I have read all of that previously. I just thought that when it said that you "may" be able to obtain the EIP3 payment by claiming via the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, that I could do it that way. It took a very long time for me to learn that I couldn't because the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit calculation uses 2021 AGI and my 2021 AGI is above 80K. I guess the IRS couldn't or didn't want to have to go back and recheck my modified AGI for 2020 for use toward EIP3 when they had to anyway to give me my refund for the unemployment compensation exclusion. I spent almost 5 hours on the phone with Turbotax customer support thinking this had to be a calculation logic error in the software. Your replies helped me to ultimately understand that the IRS changed the rules for EIP3 qualification by not allowing the unemployment compensation exclusion to count toward the eligibility. I wonder what would have happened with regard to EIP3 eligibility if I waited and filed my 2020 return after Turbotax calculated the unemployment compensation exclusion for me. In any case, you're probably right about the IRS view of all of this. I just wish it was more straightforward to ultimately understand.....thanks again for your assistance.
