Where to check your stimulus payment status

The IRS maintains a tool called Get My Payment that shows the status of any federal stimulus payment sent to you. You reach it at irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. The tool works for Economic Impact Payments from 2020, 2021, and the 2023 child tax credit advance payments.

You will need either your Social Security number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or the tax return filing status you used when you filed. You will also need your date of birth and street address. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will show the same information.

If you received a stimulus payment by mail or direct deposit, Get My Payment will tell you which method was used, the amount, and the date it was sent. If a payment was returned or rejected, the tool will show that status as well.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Get My Payment tool at irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment is the official source for checking stimulus payment status for all three rounds of federal payments.
  • You need your Social Security number or ITIN, date of birth, and street address to use the tool, and it updates once daily.
  • The tool shows whether your payment was sent by direct deposit or mail, the amount, and the date it was sent.
  • If your payment was returned or rejected, the IRS will mail you a check to your address on file, which can take four to six weeks.
  • State stimulus payments are tracked through your state tax agency's website, not through the federal IRS tool.

What each payment status message means

Payment status: Sent means the IRS released your payment to the bank or postal service. If sent by direct deposit, the funds should arrive within one to three business days. If sent by mail, allow five to seven business days for delivery, longer if you live outside the continental United States.

Payment status: Not available means the IRS has not yet processed your payment. This can happen if you filed your tax return recently, if the IRS is still reviewing your return, or if there is a mismatch between the information you entered in Get My Payment and what the IRS has on file. Check back in 24 hours.

Payment status: Cannot be determined means the information you entered does not match IRS records. Verify that your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address are correct. If they are, wait 24 hours and try again. If the message persists, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Payment status: Returned means the bank rejected your direct deposit or the postal service returned your check. The IRS will mail a replacement check to the address on file within four to six weeks. Do not request a new payment; the check will arrive automatically.

Checking stimulus payments by direct deposit versus mail

If your payment was sent by direct deposit, the funds post to your bank account within one to three business days of the IRS release date shown in Get My Payment. Your bank may hold the deposit for an additional day depending on your account type. If you do not see the deposit after three business days, contact your bank to confirm they received it.

If your payment was sent by mail, the IRS mails a check to the address on file with your most recent tax return. Standard delivery takes five to seven business days within the continental United States. Alaska and Hawaii typically receive mail within 10 to 14 business days. If you moved after filing your tax return, the check may be returned to the IRS, which will then mail it to your current address—adding another four to six weeks.

You can request a replacement check if your original check was lost or damaged. Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the date the payment was sent (shown in Get My Payment). The IRS will issue a new check, which takes four to six weeks to arrive.

Tracking state stimulus payments

Some states issued their own stimulus payments separate from federal payments. These are tracked through your state tax agency's website, not through the IRS tool. Search "[your state] stimulus payment status" to find your state's tracking page.

State stimulus payments vary widely in timing and delivery method. Some states sent payments by direct deposit only, others by check only, and some offered both options. Your state tax agency website will show which method was used for your payment and when it was sent.

If your state stimulus payment was returned or rejected, your state tax agency will mail a replacement check. The timeline depends on your state but typically ranges from four to eight weeks.

What to do if your payment never arrives

If Get My Payment shows your payment was sent but you have not received it after the expected timeframe, first confirm that the payment was sent to the correct account or address. Check Get My Payment again to verify the routing and account number (for direct deposit) or the mailing address (for checks).

If the information is correct and the payment was sent by direct deposit, contact your bank. The bank may have rejected the deposit due to a closed account, incorrect routing number, or fraud prevention. Your bank can tell you whether the IRS attempted the deposit and why it failed.

If the payment was sent by mail and you have not received it after 10 business days (or 21 days if you live outside the continental United States), file a claim with the U.S. Postal Service at usps.com/help/claims. You will need the date the check was mailed (from Get My Payment) and your address. The Postal Service will investigate and may issue a replacement check.

If neither the bank nor the Postal Service can locate your payment, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, the payment date, and the amount ready. The IRS can issue a replacement check, which takes four to six weeks.

Checking stimulus payments if you did not file a tax return

If you did not file a tax return for the year the stimulus was issued, you may still have received a payment if you were on Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Railroad Retirement benefits. The IRS used benefit records to send payments to these groups automatically.

You can still use Get My Payment to check the status of your payment. Enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and the address where you received mail during the year the payment was sent. If the tool shows your payment was sent, it should have arrived by the timeline shown above.

If Get My Payment shows no payment was sent and you believe you were due one, you may be able to claim it on a tax return. The IRS allows you to claim any missed stimulus payments as a recovery rebate credit when you file. Contact a tax professional or visit irs.gov for more information about claiming missed payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's stimulus payment status?

No. Get My Payment requires your own Social Security number or ITIN and will not show information for anyone else. If you are checking on behalf of a spouse or dependent, they must check their own status using their own Social Security number. If you are a representative or power of attorney, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Why does Get My Payment say my payment cannot be determined?

This usually means the information you entered does not match IRS records. Double-check your Social Security number, date of birth, and street address for typos. If the information is correct, wait 24 hours and try again. If the message persists after multiple attempts, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to verify your information.

How long does a replacement check take if my original payment was returned?

The IRS automatically mails a replacement check to your address on file within four to six weeks of the original payment being returned. You do not need to request it. If you moved, update your address with the IRS before the replacement is mailed so it reaches you.

Can I change my direct deposit information to receive a stimulus payment?

No. Once the IRS has sent a stimulus payment, you cannot change the delivery method. If the payment was sent to an old bank account, contact that bank to see if they can redirect it. If the bank cannot help, file a claim with the IRS at 800-829-1040 for a replacement check.

Do I need to report stimulus payments as income on my tax return?

No. Stimulus payments are not taxable income and do not need to be reported on your federal tax return. They do not affect your tax refund or tax liability.