Where to check the status of your stimulus payment

The IRS has a tool called Where's My Payment? that tells you whether a stimulus payment was sent to you, when it was sent, and how it was delivered. You can find it at irs.gov by searching "Where's My Payment" or going directly to the IRS website. The tool works for all three rounds of stimulus payments issued between 2020 and 2021.

To use it, you will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address as it appeared on your most recent tax return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not show new information. If the tool says your payment was mailed, it typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive after the IRS sends it.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are often long, especially during tax season, but representatives can look up your payment status over the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Payment tool shows whether you received a stimulus payment, when it was sent, and whether it went to your bank account or by mail.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and address from your tax return to check your status.
  • If the tool says your payment was mailed, allow 7 to 10 business days for it to arrive after the send date.
  • If you never received a payment the tool says was sent, or if the tool shows no record of a payment, you may be able to claim it on your tax return.

What the tool tells you and what it does not

Where's My Payment shows three pieces of information: whether a payment was issued to you, the date it was issued, and the method of delivery. The method is either a bank deposit (with the last four digits of the account shown) or a mailed check. This is the most reliable way to confirm the IRS actually sent you money.

The tool does not tell you why you did or did not receive a payment. It does not explain whether you were left out because of income, filing status, or a mismatch in your records. It also does not track a check once it enters the mail system — once the IRS says it mailed your payment, tracking it further requires contacting the Postal Service directly.

If the tool shows a payment was mailed but you never received it

Checks can be lost, stolen, or delayed in the mail. If Where's My Payment says your stimulus was mailed more than 10 business days ago and you have not received it, you have two options: wait a bit longer, or file a claim.

To file a claim, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to issue a replacement check or direct deposit. Have the date from Where's My Payment ready when you call. The IRS can also file a trace with the Postal Service to search for your original check, though this takes several weeks.

If you prefer not to call, you can claim the missing payment on your next tax return. When you file, you will report the stimulus amount you did not receive, and the IRS will either send you the difference or explore it to what you owe.

If the tool shows no record of a payment

If Where's My Payment says it has no record of a stimulus payment issued to you, it means the IRS did not send one under your Social Security number. This can happen for several reasons: your income was above the limit for that round of payments, you were claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, you did not file a tax return that year, or there was a mismatch between your name and Social Security number in IRS records.

You can still claim the stimulus on your tax return even if you did not receive it. When you file, report the amount you believe you were owed, and the IRS will send it to you or credit it against taxes you owe. This is often the simplest path if you did not receive a payment and the tool shows no record of one.

Stimulus payments sent to the wrong account or address

If Where's My Payment shows your payment was deposited to a bank account you no longer use or do not recognize, contact that bank directly. The bank can tell you whether the deposit went through and, if it did, where the money went. Some people received payments at accounts they had closed, and the bank returned the money to the IRS.

If the IRS sent your payment to an old address and you have moved, the Postal Service may have forwarded it if you filed a change of address. Check with your current mail carrier or log into USPS Informed Delivery to see if the check was forwarded. If it was not, contact the IRS to request a replacement.

If you received a payment but it was the wrong amount

Stimulus payments were based on your 2019 or 2020 tax return, depending on which round of payments it was. If your income changed significantly between that year and when you received the payment, you may have received more or less than you were may have access to to.

If you received too much, you do not have to repay it — stimulus payments were not loans. If you received too little, you can claim the difference on your tax return. Report the full amount you believe you were owed, and the IRS will send you the shortfall or credit it against what you owe.

What to do if you need help understanding your payment status

The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service is a free office within the IRS that helps people who are having trouble with the IRS. If you have called Where's My Payment multiple times, called the IRS phone line, and still cannot find out what happened to your payment, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778. They can investigate your case and push for answers.

You can also visit an IRS walk-in office if one is near you. The IRS website has a locator tool to find offices in your area. Walk-in hours and services vary by location, so call ahead before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a mailed stimulus check to arrive?

The IRS typically mails checks in batches, and once a check is mailed, it takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive. If more than 10 business days have passed since Where's My Payment showed your check was mailed, contact the IRS or file a claim on your next tax return.

Can I get my stimulus payment as a direct deposit instead of a check?

No, you cannot change the method after the IRS has issued the payment. If your payment was mailed and you want it as a deposit, you will need to deposit the check yourself once it arrives, or contact the IRS to request a replacement by direct deposit.

What if my name or Social Security number changed since I received the stimulus?

The stimulus was issued based on your information at the time. If you have since changed your name or Social Security number, the Where's My Payment tool may not find your payment under your new information. Use the name and number that were on your tax return when the payment was issued.

Do I have to report the stimulus payment on my taxes?

No, stimulus payments are not taxable income and you do not report them on your tax return. However, if you did not receive a payment you believe you were owed, you can claim it on your return to receive the amount.

What if I received a stimulus payment but I was not supposed to?

You do not have to repay stimulus payments. The IRS issued them as relief payments, not loans. If you received more than you were may have access to to based on your income, you still keep the money.