Fortunately, the IRS has a procedure to help. If your third-round stimulus payment is lost, stolen or destroyed, you can ask the IRS to perform a “payment trace” to see if your check was cashed or direct deposit misdirected. Ultimately, if everything goes smoothly, you’ll be issued a new payment. That’s the good news.
What happens if you are missing money from your stimulus check?
Filing a payment trace to find missing stimulus money You can request an IRS payment trace if you received the confirmation letter from the IRS that your payment was sent (also called Notice 1444), or if the Get My Payment tool shows that your payment was issued but you have not received it within certain time frames.
What to do if your stimulus check is lost, stolen or destroyed?
If your first-round ($1,200) or second-round ($600) stimulus payment is lost, stolen or destroyed, you can ask the IRS to perform a “payment trace” to see if your payment was cashed. In fact, you may need to request a trace in order to eventually get paid ( assuming you’re eligible for a stimulus check ). That’s the good news.
What happens if my stimulus check is not cashed?
First, whether or not your check was cashed, the IRS won’t reissue your payment. Instead, you’ll have to claim the amount you’re owed as a “recovery rebate” credit on your 2020 tax return, which means you won’t get your stimulus check money right away.
What do I need to know about my stimulus check?
The letter is formally known as Notice 1444 for first-round stimulus checks and Notice 1444-B for second-round payments. You can request a payment trace only if you haven’t received your stimulus payment and you: The “Get My Payment” tool shows your payment was issued.
Where are the stimulus checks sent by debit card?
The cards – called Economic Impact Payment Cards, or EIP Cards, by the IRS – will go to certain people who don’t have bank information on file with the tax agency. Instead of mailing a paper check (which takes longer to process), the cards will be sent to the most recent mailing address on file with the IRS for those selected to receive them.