Second stimulus check: how to use IRS tracker tool

Joe Biden’s already pushing for another, bigger stimulus check of up to $1,400 but are you still waiting for the second one? If you’ve been unlucky enough not to have received your second check of up to $600 yet, you will likely need to claim the money when you file your 2020 tax return next month.

The IRS had a deadline of 15 January to stop sending payments out, so even taking into account delays in mailing out EIP cards and the IRS delivery error over direct deposits, those holdups should all now have been resolved.

So what can you do to find out where your second stimulus check is?

IRS Get My Payment tool: how to use it

The IRS updates its tracking status information once a day, overnight to Get My Payment. Though since the 15 January deadline passed, it’s not clear whether that will continue.

Before using the tool you need to have some personal information to enter; your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), date of birth, street address and ZIP or postal code.

Once you’re in, the tracker should then show your payment status, whether it's been scheduled, the payment method (direct deposit or by mail) and date. It'll also let you know if the service can't yet determine your status and if the check has been sent it will tell you on which date.

“Need More Information” error message

Some users may see an error message if the payment tracker can’t determine whether they’re eligible, or if you’re completely ineligible. The “Need More Information” message could also show if your payment status isn’t available or if there are too many users logged in at the same time. To troubleshoot some of these issues CNET suggests can try entering your address in all uppercase letters or in this format: 123 Main St NW #7, or using a different browser altogether to log in.

If the Get My Payment tool gave you a payment date but you still haven't received your money, the IRS may need more details from you. Check the Get My Payment tool again - if it reports "Need More Information," this could indicate that your check has been returned because the post office was unable to deliver it, an IRS representative told CNET.

But please note, because the second payments are being issued based on information IRS already has on file, you will not be able to provide new routing or account information and cannot request to receive your payment by EIP Card. If this is the case, you will likely need to claim the money when you file your 2020 tax return next month.

“Payment status not available” error message

CNET says it’s normal for the Get My Payment tool to give you a message that says "Payment Status Not Available" until the payment is scheduled to be issued, according to the IRS. This message does not mean you're ineligible or that you won't receive a payment but you will probably have to wait for the IRS to process your refund or credit with the Recovery Rebate Credit as part of tax season 2020.

Keep the letter IRS send saying they’ve sent your payment

As with the first check, IRS say that they’re sending letters containing information on when and how the payment was made and how to report to the IRS if you don’t receive your check. Hold onto the letter if you receive it, in case ultimately your payment doesn’t arrive.

For any other questions that aren’t here or included on the IRS Frequently Asked Questions page, contact the IRS directly through the IRS2GO Mobile app or in writing to your local IRS office.