Non-Filers Stimulus Check
The US Treasury and IRS is sending out the second round of stimulus payments. Those who don’t have their payment information with the IRS need to file a federal income tax return to let the IRS know where to send the funds.
In order to get your stimulus payment, you must file a federal income tax return and claim the recovery rebate credit. The Economic Impact Payments are formally known as this credit. The stimulus payments that were handed out in early 2020 were an advanced payment of this tax credit.
So if you haven’t received a stimulus payment yet, you can claim the recovery rebate credit. This isn’t any different for non-filers. Even if you don’t owe any tax to the IRS, you need to claim this tax credit on your tax return and you will get it as a refund.
EIP1 and EIP2 are Recovery Rebate Credits
Were you eligible for the first round of economic impact payments but didn’t get it because the IRS didn’t have your payment? You can also get it by claiming the recovery rebate credit for it as well.
The first stimulus has a value of $1,200 per qualifying adult and $500 per qualifying child. The second stimulus is half of that at $600 per qualifying adult and $500 per qualifying child.
If you qualify for the full amount of the stimulus as a single individual for both payments and you have one qualifying child, you get $1,800 for yourself and $1,200 for your children. So you will claim $3,000 in recovery rebate credit.
Since this tax credit is fully refundable, you will get it added to your tax refund. If you have any tax liability to pay, a portion of the credit will be subtracted but given that you’re a non-filer, it shouldn’t be the case.
Can I update payment information without filing a return?
This unfortunately isn’t possible at the moment. Non-filers could apply for Economic Impact Payments in November 2020 but the IRS now requires non-filers to file Form 1040 in 2021 tax season.
While you would need to track the status of your stimulus payment, you will need to track your refund. This is because you won’t be getting a stimulus payment. You’re getting the recovery rebate credit which will be added to your refund.
From the start of the 2021 tax season, you can file a federal income tax return to provide the IRS with your payment information. This is the only way you can get your recovery rebate credit refunded to you.
The recovery rebate credit can be found on Form 1040 Line 30. Make sure to file taxes electronically so that you get your return processed a lot faster. This will enable you to get your refund a lot sooner. In other words, your stimulus payment.
Hello I cant hear and never got the $600 EIP I did get the $1,200 last year I’m on SS retirement state of Illinois never got a letter either for the $600, I owe IRS tax but been paying per our agreement what do I do?
Hello Cynthia,
Your payment plan with the IRS has nothing to do with your 2020 taxes. The recovery rebate credit is for your 2020 taxes. If you owe any tax liability for the 2020 tax year when you file a return in the upcoming month, the recovery rebate credit you’re eligible to claim on Form 1040 in 2021 will reduce the tax owed. If you don’t owe any tax though, it will add up to your tax refund.
greetings I received both stimulus checks, i’m a non-filer with no income. since i filled out the non-filers online tool back in june 2020 and the irs has my info which both stimulus checks arrived with no problem. now i’m confused and i’m reading different things here and there online. my question do i still need to file an income tax return for a third stimulus check even though i’m a non filer, i have no income coming in and signed the non-filers online tool back in june of last year. plz help thanks
Greetings Edward,
No, unfortunately, you don’t get a third stimulus check as you’ve already gotten both payments from the IRS. There might be other tax credits you can claim on your return that are refundable though!
Hi. I recieved my first stimulus check in 2020 for $1200.00 by check . I am yet to receive the second stimulus for $600.00 . My address and tax info are still the same . I did not earn enough in 2020 to file taxes and cant file if I wanted to because my last employer never gave me a w2 form and wont return my calls . any ideas? thanks.
Hello Wayne Mares,
No need to worry. You can still file taxes even if you don’t have your W-2. Just use Form 4852 as means to report your income. Since you are a non-filer, all you need to do is take the standard deduction, and the recovery rebate credit for the stimulus you haven’t received. The recovery rebate credit you claim will get you the rest of your payment.
My son has not received any of the stimulus monies given out to people in poverty. He was disabled in an attempt by unknown thugs that ran up and shot him in the stomach and the bullet is lodged in his pelvis. He continues to deteriorate with intractable pain in his abdomen, left thigh and left testicle. He only receives $79.00 monthly. He has a checking account but doesn’t get checks because he uses his debit card. He called his bank to get his routing number but when he put it in, it was in red so we assume it was wrong and don’t know how to proceed now. He has no WiFi so I am asking for him, what is our next move to claim his past and just signed by President Biden, last stimulus check?
The stimulus checks are sent to taxpayers who had their payment information with the IRS. If your son has filed a federal income tax return in 2019, he will receive the check. Assuming he didn’t though, he needs to file a 2020 tax return even if he’s a non-filer and claim the recovery rebate credit to get a payment. Read non-filers stimulus check to better understand this.
MY DAUGHTER HAS AUTISUM AND SEVERAL OTHER HEALTH ISSUES,WE FILE HER AS A DEPENDENT ON OUR TAXES. SHE IS 20 YRS OLD AND STILL ATTENDS HIGH SCHOOL,AND SHE DOES GET SSID.HOW WOULD MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF FILE FOR TO GET THIS 3RD STIMULUS CHECK?SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FIRST TWO,BECAUSE WE CARRIED HER.
Hello Sarah,
If you and your husband qualify for the third stimulus check, you guys will get it regardless. For your daughter though, she can file a tax return and provide her payment information with the IRS. This should help her get the stimulus payment, or recovery rebate credit in other words.
Hi.
My son filed his return for 2020. It was the first time he ever filed.
He did not receive the first 2 stimulus checks as a nonfiler because he didnt know about it.
He also didnt know that he could claim both checks on line 30 of his 2020 return. What can he do now? File an amended tax return?
Yes he will need to amend his return. Fill out Form 1040-X and mail it to the IRS with the recovery rebate credit claimed.