You Can Still Claim Your Stimulus Payments!

First and Second Stimulus Check

If you did not receive either of the first two stimulus payments ($1200 per adult/$500 per child issued in March 2020; $600 issued in January 2021), you will need to file a tax return for Tax Year 2020 and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

You must file a return to claim the credit, even if you don’t usually file a tax return. The Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return will reduce any tax you owe for 2020 or be included in your tax refund.
The IRS gives you three years from the original due date to let you claim any refunds you may have missed. The original deadline to file your 2020 taxes was May 17, 2021, so you have until May 17, 2024, to file a 2020 tax return.

Third Stimulus Check

If you did not receive the third stimulus payment ($1800 issued in March 2021), you will need to file a 2021 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS gives you three years from the original due date to let you claim any refunds you may have missed. The original deadline to file your 2021 tax return was April 18, 2022, so you have until April 18, 2025, to file a 2021 tax return.
You must file a return to claim the credit, even if you don't usually file a tax return. Your 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit will reduce any tax you owe for 2021 or be included in your tax refund.

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If you don’t owe taxes, there is no penalty for filing late. If you owe taxes, you may be subject to penalties and fines for not filing or not paying taxes. The government may reduce your tax refund to pay for any taxes you owe and other federal and state debts.

Important Dates:

–The deadline to file a 2020 tax return is May 17, 2024.
–The deadline to file a 2021 tax return is April 18, 2025.

Free tax preparation for prior years is available at some Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP tax sites. In most areas, you can call 2-1-1 to find a program near you. Most sites start scheduling appointments the last week of January.

If you have questions about your tax rights and responsibilities, Iowa Legal Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) may be able to help. To contact the clinic, call 1-800-532-1275.

This information is not a substitute for legal advice.

As a general rule, Iowa Legal Aid’s LITC does not prepare tax returns.