Stimulus check: IRS plus-up payment status, schedule deadline update, more to

This week, a batch of 1.1 million stimulus check payments went out from the IRS, for more than $2 billion. But if you’re still waiting for your money, know that the IRS is not done sending this third round of checks. The IRS is now up to more than 164 million payments since March’s American Rescue Plan, for $386 billion. But the IRS is keeping to a weekly payment schedule for those who qualify for a payment, either through a direct deposit to your bank or in the mail. And that third check may not be all the IRS is sending you.

You could also be eligible for a “plus-up” payment — along with the check up to $,1400 — if the IRS underestimated your dollar amount by using an older tax return when it calculated your payment. After you get your payment, watch for a letter from President Joe Biden with information about your third check. See below for why you want to keep this confirmation letter. (You may still be waiting for your tax refund, too. Here’s how to check on that using the IRS tracker.) Among the payments the IRS has cued up include checks for nonfilers — people who don’t normally file a tax return — and for those who receive SSI and SSDI benefits.

Here’s what to know about the IRS timeline for payments, including how to report a stimulus check problem and when it’s time to file a payment trace. If you have kids, keep an eye out for child tax credit payments for up to $3,600 to start this summer, and how to claim up to $16,000 for child care expenses. Also, here’s how to check on the status of your tax refund. In a speech last week, Biden talked about what money you could receive as part of his administration’s next two stimulus proposals, beyond the American Rescue Plan, including talk of a fourth check. This story is frequently updated.

Plus-up stimulus payments sent each week along with the third round of checks

Already have the stimulus check you qualified for? The IRS may owe you a plus-up payment too. Depending on which year’s tax form the IRS used when it did the math on your third payment, The IRS may have calculated the amount of your payment using an older tax form instead of your 2020 filing. If this is your situation, once the IRS receives your 2020 tax return and calculates your third payment again, under the American Rescue Plan, you could be due more money based on information from your current filing — or on other factors if you don’t usually file.

The IRS said it will automatically send these plus-up stimulus payments if it needs to square up the amount it owes you, but to double-check the math, you may want to confirm how much money you should expect this stimulus round, and then track your payment.

Should you use the IRS tracker to get an update on the status of your stimulus check?

Knowing the status of your payment is an important part of making sure you know where your full payment stands. With the IRS Get My Payment tracker tool, you can get a daily update on the status of your payment. The online app can also alert you with a message if there’s a problem with your payment that you may need to address.

It can’t, however, give up an update on your plus-up payment status from the IRS.

If you expect your payment is coming in the mail, you use a free tool from the USPS to track your mailed stimulus payment.

IRS stimulus check timeline through December 2021

Most of the third stimulus check payments have gone out from the IRS and US Department of the…