When Was the Third Stimulus Check Sent Out and How to Claim It?
Learn when the third stimulus check was sent, how it was delivered, and what to do if you haven’t received it, including potential tax implications.
The third stimulus check, part of the American Rescue Plan, provided up to $1,400 per eligible person, including dependents, to help individuals and families facing financial hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Timeline of Distribution
The IRS began issuing the third stimulus checks on March 12, 2021, with the first wave of direct deposits sent to individuals who had provided banking details through tax filings. Payments continued in phases over the following weeks, including paper checks and prepaid debit cards for those without direct deposit information.
By late March, mailed payments were sent, which took longer due to processing and postal delivery times. The IRS also used information from federal programs like Social Security and Veterans Affairs to distribute payments to retirees, disabled individuals, and other beneficiaries. Most payments were issued by summer 2021, though some required further review due to discrepancies in reported income or dependent status.
Methods of Delivery
The IRS used direct deposit, paper checks, and prepaid debit cards (Economic Impact Payment Cards) to distribute the funds. Direct deposit was the fastest method, transferring funds into bank accounts linked to prior tax returns or federal benefits.
For those without direct deposit, the IRS mailed checks or debit cards. EIP Cards functioned like standard debit cards, allowing recipients to make purchases, withdraw cash, or transfer funds. Some individuals mistakenly discarded these, thinking they were junk mail, requiring replacements.
Mailed payments were sent to the most recent address on file, typically from the last tax return or federal benefit records. If a payment was returned as undeliverable, recipients had to update their records before the IRS could reissue the funds.
How to Confirm Receipt
Individuals could verify receipt of their stimulus check using the IRS’s “Get My Payment” tool, which provided updates on processing and delivery.
For direct deposits, checking bank statements helped confirm the transaction, which appeared as a deposit from “IRS TREAS 310” with a description such as “TAXEIP3.” If the deposit was missing, contacting the bank was the next step.
For mailed payments, the IRS sent Notice 1444-C detailing the amount and delivery method. If a check or debit card was lost or never arrived, reviewing tax transcripts on the IRS website could help determine whether the payment had been processed.
Claiming Unreceived Funds
If an eligible individual never received their stimulus check, the first step was confirming whether the IRS had issued it. If records showed a payment was sent but not received, a payment trace with the IRS was necessary by submitting Form 3911, “Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.” The IRS would investigate whether the check was cashed or the debit card was activated before reissuing funds.
Payments could be misdirected due to incorrect banking details or outdated addresses. If a direct deposit was sent to a closed or invalid account, banks typically returned the funds to the IRS, which then issued a paper check. Similarly, if a mailed check was sent to an old address and not forwarded, it could have been returned as undeliverable. Updating personal information with the IRS was necessary before requesting a reissuance.
Tax Filing Implications
The third stimulus check was an advance payment of the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) and was not taxable income. However, individuals who did not receive the full amount or needed to reconcile discrepancies could claim the difference when filing their 2021 tax return.
Since payments were based on 2019 or 2020 tax returns, individuals whose financial situation changed in 2021—such as having a new dependent or lower income—could claim any additional amount owed on their 2021 Form 1040. The IRS issued Letter 6475, detailing the exact amount received, to help taxpayers report the credit accurately. Filing errors, such as misreporting the stimulus amount, could delay refunds or require IRS adjustments. Those who had not filed a return but were eligible for additional funds had until the extended filing deadline to submit a return and claim the credit.