Even if you got the second stimulus check in 2021, it was authorised in 2020, so it gets reported there. The IRS made this mistake and many people thought they didnt get the EIP2 payment. After all there was no letter mailed, it just magically shows up in your checking account in Feb of the next year. Since I wanted to get an early start on my taxes, I followed the Turbo Tax dialog and made the mistake of applying for the Recovery Rebate Credit which caused about a 4 month delay in the refund. --- if you do clain the credit and didnt realize you did recieve it in 2021, they will hold back your refund, make and adjustment to the 2021 taxes (reducing it by the same amount as the stimulus. That alone took them 4 months to process.) Then if you forgot your 1099-B or a W2 or something, you should file an ammended 2020 tax form. (1040x), Turbo Tax has it built it, and unlike past years, you can submit the form via efile for free. Now for the wierd part. Turbo Tax doesnt know that your refund was reduced, so it calculates the amount you owe or get back for the ammended based on the Original 1040 you submitted. (At least thats what I think). The real difference should be computed by the IRS, since Turbo tax is out of synch with the payment/refund dialog thats been going on. Take heart, there is something called a taxpayer transcript that sort of lists the main transactions over time. The IRS takes months and months to respond, but at least you have your back side covered , but they owe you money. I guess thats better than if you just forget and they come after you for "back taxes.". Been there and done that. The IRS audit interview ets. is no bueno.
