Economic Impact Payment Three (EIP3)
Third Stimulus Payment
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act which approved a third stimulus payment (EIP3) in the amount of $1,400 ($2,800 for couples married filing jointly) plus $1,400 for each qualifying child or qualifying relative dependent claimed on the federal income tax return regardless of age.
The IRS used the 2020 federal income tax return to calculate the stimulus payment. If the taxpayer had not yet filed a 2020 federal income tax return when the payment was issued, the IRS used the 2019 federal income tax return or information received from the Social Security Administration (SSA), Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB), or the Veterans Administration (VA) to determine your stimulus payment.
If the taxpayer filed a 2020 federal income tax return AFTER the third stimulus payment was issued, the IRS may have issued an additional or plus-up payment if income or dependents changed.
In order to qualify for a full or partial third stimulus payment (EIP3), the taxpayer:
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Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien,
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Must have a valid work-eligible Social Security number (SSN) by the due date of the tax return including extensions (special rule applies to a spouse who is Active Military and files a joint tax return)*,
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Cannot be considered a dependent of someone else,
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Must NOT be deceased prior to January 1, 2021, AND
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Adjusted gross income (AGI) CANNOT exceed:
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$160,000 for married couples filing joint returns
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$120,000 for head of household filers and
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$80,000 for all other eligible individuals
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*Active Military - If either spouse is an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during year 2021, only one spouse needs to have a valid SSN for the couple to receive up to $2,800 for themselves, plus up to $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
Those who only have Social Security income, SSI or nontaxable Veterans benefits should have automatically received EIP3 even if they have not filed a 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return.
EIP3 will NOT be reduced by any delinquent government debts or delinquent child support payments. Also, taxpayers who are incarcerated may qualify for EIP3 if they meet all the other requirements listed above.
EIP3 will be reconciled on the 2021 federal income tax return. The payments are NOT taxable, will NOT reduce your refund or increase your tax, and will NOT need to be repaid even if too much was received. If you are eligible for an additional stimulus amount such as adding a new qualifying dependent or income change, you will be able to claim it on your 2021 federal income tax return as a "Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC). Married Filing Joint (MFJ) taxpayers are considered to each have received half of EIP3.
Lookup Your EIP3 Amount
The EXACT amount of your EIP3 will be needed when preparing your 2021 federal income tax return. If you do not know the EXACT amount of your EIP3, you can login to your IRS Account Online and click on the "Tax Records" tab.
More Information From the IRS Regarding EIP3
IRS.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment
How Do I Trace an Economic Impact Payment that was Issued By IRS?
To start a payment trace:
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Contact the IRS by calling (800) 919-9835, OR
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Mail or Fax a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund
To Complete the Form 3911:
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Write “EIP1” or “EIP2” or "EIP3" on the top of the form to identify which payment you want to trace,
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Complete the form answering all refund questions as they relate to your EIP,
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When completing Item 7 under Section 1, Check the box for “Individual” and enter “2020” for the Tax Period if this is for EIP1 or EIP2. Enter "2021" if this is for EIP3. Do not write anything for the Date Filed,
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Sign the form. If you file married filing jointly, both spouses must sign the form. Do not mail Form 3911 if you have already requested a trace by phone.
Where do I send Form 3911? - Click here for mailing address and fax number
