What are stimulus checks?

“Stimulus checks” is a common informal name for what the IRS calls Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) or related tax credits like the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The goal of these payments was to provide direct financial relief to individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were facing job loss, income drops, illness, or extra expenses.

In simpler terms: The government decided to send money to eligible people so that they could have extra help covering costs or maintaining basic living standards during a crisis.

The three rounds: how much, when, who

There were three main rounds of stimulus/EIP payments under U.S. federal law:

1. First round – Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed in March 2020. This provided up to $1,200 per eligible adult, plus $500 per qualifying child for the first round.

2. Second round – Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (December 2020). This provided up to $600 per adult, and up to $600 per child.

3. Third round – Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (March 2021). This increased the payment to up to $1,400 per adult, and $1,400 for each dependent (including adult dependents, not just children) in many cases.

Together, the three rounds delivered hundreds of billions of dollars in relief. For example, more than 476 million payments totaling about $814 billion went out.

Who was eligible & how it was calculated
Basic eligibility criteria

While eligibility varied across the rounds, some key common factors were:

You had to be a U.S. citizen or resident alien (depending on the round) and have a valid Social Security number (in most cases).
You should not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return (for many rounds).
Your income level (usually your adjusted gross income, AGI) needed to be below a certain threshold for the full payment; if your income was higher, the payment might be reduced or phased out.

Income limits and phase-out

For the third round, for example:

For singles or married filing separately: AGI up to approx $75,000 for full amount.
For head of household: up to around $112,500. For married filing jointly: up to around $150,000.
If your income was above those thresholds, you might get a reduced payment; above a certain higher amount you might not get any payment.

Dependents

In the first two rounds, payments for “dependents” typically only covered children under age 17 in many cases. But in the third round it extended to more dependents (including adult dependents) in many situations.

Non-filers / people with minimal income

One important point: Some people who did not normally file tax returns (because their income was very low, or they were on certain benefits) were still eligible, but they might have needed to take action (such as filing a return) to get the money.

How the payments were delivered & how to check
Delivery methods

Many payments were sent as direct deposits into bank accounts already on file.
Some were sent as paper checks or “prepaid debit cards” in certain cases, particularly when the IRS did not have direct deposit info.
The payments were automatic for many eligible people: you did not necessarily have to apply if the IRS had your info and you qualified.

How to check your payment status or amounts

The IRS had tools like “Get My Payment” or accessed through your IRS online account to see how much you received or what you are eligible for.
If you didn’t receive a payment but believed you were eligible, there were instructions on the IRS website about how to claim the related tax credit when filing your tax return (more on that next).

Letters from IRS

After sending the payments, the IRS typically sent a letter to the taxpayer’s address on file to let them know that a payment was made and what the amount was. This was primarily for record-keeping. (Note: If you got that letter but not the money, you might need to check for issues.)

What if you didn’t get a payment (or got less than expected)?

There are several reasons you might not have received the full payment you expected (or anything) — and steps you can take.

Possible reasons

Your income was above the phase-out threshold, so you received reduced or no payment.
You were claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, which in many cases made you ineligible.
You did not file a tax return for the year the IRS used to determine eligibility (for example, 2020 or 2021 returns), and the IRS did not have enough info.
Your bank account changed or you moved, and the IRS did not have updated info (so the payment might have been returned or mis-sent).
You never provided address/bank info or were a non-filer without taking the steps to claim the payment.

What to do / how to claim

If you didn’t receive a payment you believe you’re eligible for, you may claim a tax credit called the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return for 2020 or 2021.
For example, in certain cases the IRS announced automatic payments to people who did file but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns.
If you were a non-filer and didn’t file a return, but you were eligible, you might still need to file for that year to get the credit.
Check your IRS online account or the IRS website for the exact steps and deadlines for the credit.

Deadlines

There are deadlines for filing the returns needed to claim the credits. For example, for tax year 2021, one deadline mentioned was April 15, 2025.
If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to get the full benefit.

Why these payments mattered

These stimulus payments have several important effects:

They provided immediate cash to households, especially helpful when incomes dropped or uncertainty was high (job loss, business slowdown, medical bills, etc.).
They helped support consumer spending, which in turn helped stabilise businesses and the economy during the pandemic.
For many low- and moderate-income people, these payments helped cover essential costs: housing, utilities, food, medical expenses.
They also reduced stress and economic hardship for many families.

From a policy standpoint, the scale of the payments was very large — hundreds of billions of dollars.

Common questions & clarifications

Is a stimulus check the same as a tax refund?

Not exactly. A tax refund is what you get back if you overpaid tax or qualify for refundable tax credits beyond your tax liability. The stimulus/EIP payments were advance relief payments (or credits) based on eligibility during the pandemic period, not traditional refunds for overpaying taxes. Later, people who didn’t get the full amount could claim the credit when filing their tax return.

Do you have to pay tax on the stimulus payment?

No — the payments themselves were not taxable income for federal income tax. They don’t increase your tax liability. (However, you do need to report certain related credits or amounts properly if you file a return.)

If I didn’t get one of the earlier rounds, can I still get it?

Yes — in many cases for 2020 or 2021 if you were eligible, you may still get the benefit by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your return for that year. That is, even if you didn’t receive the payment directly, you may be able to claim the credit.

Are there new stimulus checks now (in 2025)?

As of mid-2025, there is no new general round of stimulus checks authorised. The IRS has said most eligible payments for the pandemic rounds have already been issued.

What about scams and fraud?

Because large payments were being issued, scammers have tried to exploit the situation. Typical scam attempts include claiming to be from the IRS and asking for personal or bank info, or telling you you must pay a fee to get your payment. The IRS warns that it will not initiate contact by phone, text, or social media asking for personal financial information.

What to watch out for: issues and tips

Keep your IRS account information updated

If you change bank accounts, move house, or your direct deposit info changes, that could affect where the payment goes. If a paper check is returned, you may have to wait extra time. Using direct deposit where possible speeds things up and reduces lost/mis-mailed checks.

File when you need to

If you didn’t normally file tax returns (for example low income, receiving only certain benefits), you might still need to file so that the IRS has your info and you claim the credit. Filing late may delay the payment.

Keep your records

Make sure you keep letters from the IRS (for example showing how much payment you received), your tax return info, etc. When you file, you might need to enter the payment amounts you already received so the credit is calculated correctly.

Be cautious of promises that sound too good

If someone contacts you saying you’ll get a large additional payment if you just give them your bank info, or pay money, or provide login info — that’s probably a scam. Use only official IRS channels and websites.

Understand your full eligibility

Especially regarding dependents, filing status, income thresholds — what applies to you may vary. For example, if you were dependent on someone else’s return, you may not qualify (even if you worked). Or if you earned above a threshold, your payment may have been reduced.

Check IRS online account

You can log in (or create one) on the IRS website to see tax records including how much EIP you received. That helps when you file your return so you don’t accidentally claim more than you are entitled to.

Summary of key points

Your “stimulus check” is likely one of the major rounds of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) issued by the IRS under pandemic relief laws.
There were three main rounds: up to ~$1,200 (first), ~$600 (second), ~$1,400 (third) depending on eligibility.
Eligibility depended on income thresholds, filing status, dependent status, citizenship/residency, etc.
Many people got payments automatically; others had to claim credits when filing returns.
If you didn’t get what you expected, you may still be able to claim the credit by filing for the relevant year.
There are deadlines, special rules for non-filers, and you should watch out for scams.
The payments were not taxable and were meant to help households through a tough period.

What this means for you / What you might do

Here are practical actions you might consider:

If you believe you were eligible for one of the payment rounds but didn’t receive it, check whether you filed the relevant tax return and whether you claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Log into your IRS online account and check your “Tax Records” section to see whether the IRS shows a payment amount for you.
If you changed bank accounts or moved address and the IRS might have sent a check to an old address, check with your bank and IRS to see if it was returned.
Ensure you have filed the tax return for 2020 and/or 2021 if you needed to. Even if you owed no tax, you may need to file to claim the credit.
Keep all IRS letters (for example Notice 1444-C, etc) showing what you received — these help in case you file and need the amounts.
Beware of any communication claiming you need to pay to get a stimulus or EIP payment — the IRS will not ask for that.
If you’re helping someone with low income or someone who has not filed taxes for many years, check whether they are eligible and get help to file. Some free tax help programs may exist.
Stay informed about any updates: while no new general stimulus payments are currently authorised, tax laws can change — so occasionally check official IRS guidance.

The stimulus payments (or Economic Impact Payments) represent one of the largest direct-to-household relief efforts in U.S. history. They helped many families and individuals cope during an unprecedented time.

If you were eligible, you likely received something, but if you didn’t – it’s still possible you may qualify for a related credit when filing your tax return. The key is to check your eligibility, ensure you’ve filed required returns, and use official IRS tools for checking payment status.

If you like, I can find you a step-by-step guide specific to your situation (for example if you are low income, or non-filer, or dependent). Would you like that?