What's happening with a fourth stimulus check?

Biden has not committed to another round of payments, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration will look to Congress for a proposal for a fourth payment. Keep that Biden stimulus letter from the IRS. Hold on to that IRS letter signed by Biden that confirms your stimulus payment, including the amount and how the IRS sent your money. That letter from the IRS -- Notice 1444-C -- is your proof that the IRS sent a payment in case you don't actually receive it or if you received less than you qualify for and need to claim the missing amount later. Here's more on what to do with that IRS letter. The IRS may owe you money for the first and second stimulus checks. Plus-up payments are going out weekly along with the third round of checks, but they may not be the only money you're due. For money missing from the first two checks, you need to claim that on your 2020 taxes. We suggest making sure you also know where to find your adjusted gross income. Tax nonfilers may need to be proactive about claiming a new dependent, too. What if you have a problem with your stimulus payment? Start here to see an update on its status. The IRS doesn't want you to call if you encounter a problem with the delivery or amount of your stimulus check. So what to do instead? Our guide walks you through how to report stimulus check problems, including checks that never arrived (try filing a payment trace), direct deposit payments that went to the wrong account and other issues. Did you get less money than you expected in your check? The IRS isn't particularly big on communicating how much money it calculates for your stimulus check. You won't find that figure in the agency's online tracking tool, but you will see it in the confirmation letter you'll receive in the mail. (And here's why you got the payment size you did.)

So what happens if you use our stimulus check calculator and notice the numbers seem way off, or the IRS letter quotes an amount you didn't receive? Start by triple-checking your qualifications to make sure you're eligible for the total you expect. Remember the IRS is automatically sending plus-up payments and that happens after the agency receives your 2020 tax return. If you had a baby or otherwise added a dependent in 2020, you won't need to file an amended tax form to claim the supplement.

The IRS could open up claims for missing stimulus money before its Dec. 31 deadline to stop sending checks. If not, you might have to wait a year to claim it -- when you file your 2021 taxes in 2022 (even if you're a nonfiler who isn't typically required to file taxes). Why your stimulus money may not have arrived, Your 2020 tax return really does make a big difference in your payment total. Taxes were due May 17. So how will the IRS figure out how much it owes you? It will calculate your total (you can also do that here) based on the most recent tax filing it's processed at the time it's ready to tabulate the amount of your stimulus check.

If you know your tax return was already processed, your total will likely be based on your 2020 adjusted gross income, not on your 2019 AGI. That presents complications if the difference between the two years disqualifies you from getting a third stimulus check.

On the flip side, if the IRS uses your 2019 taxes and you're owed more money based on your 2020 AGI and dependents, you could get a plus-up payment. If you got more money than you're owed, you'll only need to return it to the IRS in some cases. Stimulus check details for Social Security SSI and SSDI recipients and for veterans. Veterans receiving VA benefits and people who get SSDI and SSI benefits are now receiving stimulus checks from the IRS and Treasury. Delivery details should now be available in the Get My Payment tool.

You might get your stimulus money by direct deposit to existing Direct Express cards if this is how you normally receive benefits, and if you didn't file taxes in 2019 or 2020. Otherwise, the money could come in the mail (here's what to look for so you know it's legit). The SSA says that Social Security beneficiaries like SSI and SSDI groups will not receive an EIP debit card.

If you're a tax nonfiler and you used the IRS' Non-Filers tool by November 2020 to submit information, you may have already received your check before other Social Security recipients. There's more: Extra rules and exceptions to know. Stimulus checks aren't necessarily a one-size-fits-all situation. Here are guides for:

Households with dependents, including new 2020 or 2021 babies

People who live outside the US or aren't US citizens

People who aren't sure if they're qualified to receive their own stimulus check

Older adults and people who are retired

People who don't normally pay taxes (tax nonfilers)

Families with child support situations

Families with mixed-status citizenship

And here's everything you need to know about the third stimulus check, how to calculate your stimulus total and every way the stimulus law can bring you more money. There was a calculation error and you need to claim an adjustment or wait for a plus-up payment.

You receive SSDI or SSI benefits or veterans' benefits and are waiting for your check to show up.

Your check is stuck in the mail. (Here's how to track it.)

You may not receive money for all of your dependents, including a new baby or older adult.

The IRS based your third stimulus check on your 2019 taxes and you're owed money for your 2020 AGI or dependents.

You may be a nonfiler who needs to file a 2020 tax return to claim dependents.

Your stimulus check was deposited in a closed or temporary bank account.

You moved and the IRS doesn't have your correct mailing address to send a check.

Your payment may be garnished by private debt collectors.

You accidentally threw away the mailed envelope.

Also, here's what to know if the IRS sent a letter confirming it sent your stimulus payment, but the money never arrived. Here's more information on problems you might encounter with your stimulus check.