Was There an IRS $6400 Stimulus Payment?
Get the facts on federal relief payments. This article clarifies the actual amounts distributed and explains the official tax process for claiming any funds you are owed.
The U.S. government did not issue a single $6,400 stimulus payment to individuals. This figure likely stems from a misunderstanding, potentially from combining the total payments a family with multiple dependents might have received over three rounds of aid. It may also be confused with advertisements for health insurance subsidies that have used this number. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) distributed three separate direct relief payments, known as Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). These payments were sent automatically to most eligible Americans, but limited options may be available if the IRS issued a payment that was never received.
Understanding the Economic Impact Payments
The first round of payments, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020, provided up to $1,200 for eligible individuals and $2,400 for married couples filing jointly. An additional $500 was provided for each qualifying child under the age of 17. To receive the full amount, single filers needed an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less, and married couples needed an AGI of $150,000 or less. The payment amounts were gradually reduced for those with incomes above these thresholds.
A second round of payments was authorized in December 2020. This payment provided up to $600 for eligible individuals and $1,200 for married couples, with an additional $600 for each qualifying child under 17. The income eligibility thresholds for the second payment were the same as the first, starting to phase out for individuals with an AGI over $75,000 and married couples with an AGI over $150,000.
The third and final round of payments was part of the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021. This payment was the largest, providing up to $1,400 for eligible individuals and $2,800 for married couples. A significant change in this round was the payment of $1,400 for all qualifying dependents, regardless of their age. The income phase-outs were stricter, with payments reduced for individuals earning over $75,000 and completely phased out at $80,000, while for married couples, the phase-out began at $150,000 and ended at $160,000.
The Recovery Rebate Credit Explained
The Economic Impact Payments were advance payments of a tax credit called the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS used taxpayers’ most recent tax return information to calculate and send the EIPs automatically. This system was designed to get money to people quickly during the economic disruption caused by the pandemic.
Because the payments were based on prior-year income and life situations, some individuals may not have received the correct amount. For example, if someone had a child or their income dropped significantly in the relevant year, they might have been entitled to more than they received. The Recovery Rebate Credit was the method used to reconcile the advance payment with the amount for which a person was actually eligible.
The deadlines to claim any missing stimulus money through the Recovery Rebate Credit have passed. The deadline to file a 2020 tax return for the first two payments was May 17, 2024. The deadline to file a 2021 tax return for the third payment was April 15, 2025, so it is no longer possible to claim these credits.
Options for Payments Issued but Not Received
While you can no longer claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, you may have options if the IRS records show a payment was sent to you but you never received it. The first step is to check your IRS Online Account to see the status of your payments. The IRS also mailed notices confirming the amounts of each payment: Notice 1444 for the first, Notice 1444-B for the second, and Notice 1444-C and Letter 6475 for the third.
If your account shows a payment was issued but it was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can request a payment trace, which asks the IRS to track your payment. A trace can be initiated by calling the IRS or by mailing or faxing a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund. This process is for locating a payment the IRS confirms it sent, not for newly claiming the credit because you believe you were eligible.