Waiting on Your Third Stimulus Check? Now You Can Track It

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This post refers to stimulus checks issued in March 2021. For the most up-to-date info, check out our recent tax articles.

The third stimulus check started hitting bank accounts over the weekend.

That means many people who have direct deposit are waking up to find an extra $1,400 in their bank accounts if they’re single or $2,800 if they’re married, plus $1,400 for dependents.

But what if your third check hasn’t arrived? There’s a way to find out when it’s coming.

Where’s My Third Stimulus Check?

The IRS released an updated version of the Get My Payment application on its website over the weekend that allows you to track your stimulus check. You can use it on your computer, phone or tablet.

Click on the link, and then click the blue “Get My Payment” button. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait a couple minutes to get through. This corner of IRS.gov is getting a lot of traffic right now, because people really want to know when they’re getting their $1,400 stimulus check. When you do get through, you’ll get a warning that the system is for authorized use only. Click “OK.”

Next you’ll need to enter your Social Security number or Individual Tax ID number, date of birth, street address and ZIP code.

Once you submit your information, the website will tell you the date your payment is scheduled to be made and whether it will be by check or direct deposit. If it’s scheduled for direct deposit, it will tell you the last four numbers of the bank account it will be deposited into. If the IRS can’t pay you via direct deposit, you’ll get your payment via paper check or prepaid debit card.

Payment status not available? Here’s what that means, plus a few hacks that worked in the first two rounds. The information is only updated once a day, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for, the only thing you can do is try again tomorrow.

Your stimulus check is not taxable — so however you plan to spend that money, just know that you don’t need to save any of it for Uncle Sam.

Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Send your tricky money questions to [email protected].


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