To apply for the 2020 stimulus check (Economic Impact Payment), follow these steps:
- If you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return, you should have received the payment automatically based on your tax filing information. No separate application is needed in this case
- If you did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019 and did not receive the stimulus payment automatically, you need to register as a non-filer with the IRS to claim the payment. This is typically for people with little or no income who are not required to file taxes
How to register as a non-filer:
- Gather the following information:
- Your driver’s license or state ID number (if available)
- Social Security Numbers for yourself and any dependents
- Bank account and routing number for direct deposit (optional)
- An email address (you can create a free Gmail account if needed)
- Go to the IRS website for Economic Impact Payments: irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
- Click on the "Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here" button to access the Free File Fillable Forms site.
- Create an account with a username and password. Optionally, set up two-step verification for added security
- Fill out the tax form with your personal information, dependents, and bank details for direct deposit if desired. Since you did not file taxes, enter $0 for last year’s adjusted gross income (AGI)
- E-file the form electronically and provide an electronic signature. You can skip questions about phone number or ID if you do not have them
Important deadlines and notes:
- The deadline to register as a non-filer to receive the 2020 stimulus payment was October 15, 2020, but if you missed this, you may still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by filing your 2020 tax return
- To claim any missed stimulus payments, file your 2020 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS has since closed the deadline for filing 2020 returns to claim stimulus payments (May 17, 2024)
- If you did not receive your stimulus check or payment for dependents, filing your 2020 tax return is the way to claim it retroactively
In summary, to apply for the 2020 stimulus check now, you generally must file your 2020 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if you did not receive the payment automatically or did not register as a non-filer by the original deadline
