Track Your $1400 Stimulus Payment: As inflation continues to impact households across the U.S., the IRS has stepped in to provide financial relief. Nearly one million taxpayers who previously missed out on claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit are now receiving payments of up to $1,400. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or need to track your payment, here’s what you need to know.
Who Qualifies for the Recovery Rebate Credit?
The Recovery Rebate Credit was introduced as part of the federal government’s pandemic relief efforts. The IRS started issuing these payments automatically in December 2024 to taxpayers who:
- Filed a 2021 tax return but did not claim the credit.
- Qualified for the Economic Impact Payment (EIP) but did not receive the full amount.
- Were identified by the IRS as eligible without needing to take further action.
Payments were sent via direct deposit if bank details were available from a 2023 tax return, or by paper check to registered mailing addresses.
How to Track Your Stimulus Payment
If you haven’t received your $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit yet, you can track it using the IRS’s ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool. This system updates once per day and requires the following information:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your marital status (Single, Married, etc.)
- The exact refund amount from your tax return
Understanding Your Refund Status
Once you’ve entered your details, your refund status will show one of the following:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Return Received | The IRS has received your tax return and is processing it. |
| Refund Approved | Your refund has been approved and is set to be issued. |
| Refund Sent | Your payment has been dispatched via direct deposit or mailed check. |
If your status shows “Refund Sent,” it may take up to five business days for direct deposits to appear, while mailed checks may take several weeks to arrive.
Do You Need to File an Amended Return?
The IRS has made this process automatic, so eligible taxpayers do not need to file an amended return to receive their stimulus payment. However, if you suspect you should have received the payment but haven’t, check your IRS online account under the “Economic Impact Payment Information” section on the Tax Records page. This will confirm whether any payments were issued.
Claiming a Missing Stimulus Payment
If you didn’t receive an Economic Impact Payment or received less than the full amount, you may still be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. The credit applies to different tax years based on the stimulus round:
| EIP Round | Tax Year to Claim |
| First & Second EIP | 2020 tax return |
| Third EIP ($1,400) | 2021 tax return |
If you missed out on any part of these payments, you may still be able to file or amend a tax return to claim the amount owed.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how the Recovery Rebate Credit works and tracking your refund ensures that you receive the financial support you are entitled to. If you need further assistance, visit IRS.gov or contact the IRS helpline for guidance.