Third-Round Economic Impact Payment Not Received?

Third-Round Economic Impact Payment Not Received? Double-check records first
Individuals are encouraged to double-check their bank accounts – especially in early spring and summer of 2021 – to see whether they received a third-round payment in advance last year.

If an individual did not receive a third-round payment — and their IRS Online Account shows a payment amount greater than $0, or they received Notice 1444-C or Letter 6475 indicating that a payment was issued to them — they should contact the IRS as soon as possible to see if a payment trace is needed. Note that Online Account shows the most current EIP information, so if a payment was issued and returned to the IRS, the amount shown in Online Account may be less than what is shown in their Letter 6475.

Taxpayers should not request a payment trace to determine if they were eligible for a payment or to confirm the amount of payment they should have received.

Individuals do not need to wait until their trace is complete to file their 2021 tax return. When completing the Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet or answering EIP questions in the tax software, taxpayers have two options:

• Use the amount on the Letter 6475 (or EIP 3 Amount from Online Account) to calculate the RRC amount on line 30. Contact the IRS to trace the EIP amount. Once the EIP trace is completed, the IRS and the taxpayer will receive notification of the results of the EIP trace (the account it was sent to and the amount or a copy of the cashed check).
  • If the trace indicates the taxpayer received the EIP amount, no further action is necessary.
  • If the EIP amount was not received by the taxpayer, the IRS will adjust the RRC amount on the tax return and issue any refund.
• Use the amount of EIP the taxpayer believes they received to calculate the RRC amount on line 30. If the taxpayer’s calculation does not match the IRS calculation, the processing of the tax return will be delayed, the RRC amount will be adjusted to match IRS records and the taxpayer will receive a notice that includes a telephone number to contact if they disagree with the change to the tax return. If the taxpayer contacts the IRS and disagrees with the changes made, IRS will conduct a trace of the EIP, if necessary. Once the EIP trace is completed, the IRS and the taxpayer will receive notification of the results of the EIP trace (the account it was sent to and the amount or a copy of the cashed check).
  • If the trace indicates the taxpayer received the EIP amount, no further action is necessary.
  • If the EIP amount was not received by the taxpayer, the IRS will adjust the RRC amount on the return and issue any refund.