What IRS Relief Payments Are and How to Report Them
An IRS relief payment is money the federal government sends you directly — usually as a refund, stimulus payment, or advance on a tax credit. The IRS sends these by check, direct deposit, or debit card depending on what you're receiving and how you've filed before. You don't request relief payments through a separate process; they arrive based on your tax return or your may be able to access under a specific law.
If you received a relief payment, you may need to report it on your next tax return, but most payments are not taxable income. The key is understanding which type of payment you got, because the IRS treats them differently. A stimulus payment from 2020 or 2021, for example, is not taxable and doesn't go on your return at all. A refund of taxes you overpaid also isn't taxable — it's your own money coming back. But if you received an advance on the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit, you will need to reconcile that amount on your return.
Key Takeaways
- Most relief payments (stimulus checks, tax refunds) are not taxable and do not need to be reported on your tax return.
- If you received an advance payment on the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit, you must report the amount on your return to reconcile what you got versus what you're owed.
- The IRS mails a notice to your address on file for any relief payment; keep this notice because it shows the amount and date.
- You can track a payment you're expecting through IRS.gov using "Where's My Refund?" or "Get My Payment" depending on the payment type.
- If you received a payment by mistake or the amount is wrong, contact the IRS directly rather than ignoring it.
Finding the Notice the IRS Sent You
The IRS mails a notice to the address on file with your most recent tax return whenever it sends you a relief payment. This notice shows the payment amount, the date it was sent, and the method (check, direct deposit, or debit card). You need this notice to report the payment correctly on your tax return and to prove you received it if there's ever a question.
If you can't find the notice, look for mail from the IRS dated around the time you received the payment. The notice will have a number like "Notice 1444" (for stimulus payments) or "Notice 1444-B" (for advance Child Tax Credit payments). If you still can't locate it, you can request a copy by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by logging into your IRS.gov account and viewing your payment history under "View Your Tax Account."
Keep the notice with your tax records for at least three years. If the IRS ever questions whether you received a payment, this notice is your proof.
Tracking a Payment You're Expecting
If you filed a tax return and are waiting for a refund, use "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool will tell you whether the IRS is still processing your return, whether your refund has been approved, and the date it will arrive.
If you're waiting for a stimulus payment or advance Child Tax Credit payment, use "Get My Payment" on IRS.gov instead. This tool shows the payment status, the amount, and the delivery method. If the tool says your payment was sent by check, it may take up to two weeks to arrive after the status changes to "sent." If it was sent by direct deposit, it usually arrives within one to three business days.
Both tools are free and do not require you to enter a password. You can check as often as you want, but the information updates only once daily. If the tool says your payment was sent more than two weeks ago and you still haven't received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or file a claim for a missing check.
What to Do If You Received the Wrong Amount
If the payment you received doesn't match the notice the IRS sent, or if you received a payment you don't think you should have, contact the IRS before taking any action. Call 1-800-829-1040 and have your notice ready. The IRS can tell you why the amount was what it was and whether an error was made.
Do not deposit a check or spend money from a debit card if you believe it was sent by mistake. If you've already spent it and the IRS later determines it was an overpayment, you may have to repay it. If you received a payment by direct deposit that you believe is wrong, the IRS can reverse the deposit if you contact them quickly — usually within a few days.
If the IRS made an error and sent you too much, they will send you a notice explaining the overpayment and how you can repay it. You may be able to explore the overpayment to next year's taxes instead of paying it back in cash.
Reporting Relief Payments on Your Tax Return
Most relief payments do not go on your tax return at all. Stimulus payments from 2020, 2021, and 2022 are not taxable and are not reported. Tax refunds are not reported. However, if you received an advance payment on the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit, you must report the total amount you received on your return for that year.
When you file your return, the IRS will compare the advance payments you got to the total credit you're actually owed based on your income and household size. If you received more than you're owed, the difference reduces your refund or increases the tax you owe. If you received less than you're owed, the difference increases your refund. This is called reconciliation, and it happens automatically when you file.
The IRS will send you a notice showing the total advance payments you received during the year. Use this amount when you file your return. If you filed electronically, your tax software will ask you to enter this amount. If you file by paper, you'll enter it on Schedule 8812 (for Child Tax Credit) or Schedule EITC (for Earned Income Tax Credit).
If You Never Received a Payment You Expected
If "Where's My Refund?" or "Get My Payment" shows your payment was sent but you never got it, the next step depends on the payment method. If it was sent by direct deposit, contact your bank to confirm the deposit didn't arrive in a different account. If it was sent by check, wait at least two weeks from the date the tool said it was sent, then file a claim for a missing check through IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040.
If it was sent by debit card, the card issuer (usually a bank or payment processor) can tell you whether the funds were loaded. You can find the card issuer's number on the card itself or on the notice the IRS sent. If the funds were loaded but you can't access them, the issuer can help you recover the account.
The IRS can issue a replacement check, but it takes time — usually four to six weeks. In the meantime, you can file a claim and ask the IRS to investigate. Bring your notice and any bank records showing the deposit didn't arrive.
Understanding Advance Payments and Year-End Reconciliation
The advance Child Tax Credit program, which ran in 2021, sent families monthly payments of up to $300 per child based on their 2020 tax return. These were advance payments on a credit you would claim on your 2021 tax return. When you filed your 2021 return in 2022, you had to report how much you received and let the IRS calculate whether you got the right amount.
If your income changed during 2021 — you earned more money, had a child, or your household size changed — you might have received more in advance payments than you were actually owed. The difference would reduce your refund. Some families had to repay several hundred dollars. This is why it's important to report the exact amount you received; the IRS will do the math for you.
The same process applies to any advance payment on any tax credit. The notice you received shows the total amount paid to you in advance. Your tax return reconciles that against what you actually owe, and the difference adjusts your refund or tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a stimulus payment on my tax return?
No. Stimulus payments from 2020, 2021, and 2022 are not taxable income and do not go on your return. You do not need to report them anywhere. If you received one and your tax software asks about it, you can answer that you received it but it will not change your tax calculation.
What if I received an advance Child Tax Credit payment but my income went up?
You still report the amount you received on your return. The IRS will compare it to what you're actually owed based on your final 2021 income. If you earned more, you may owe back some or all of the advance payments. This is why filing your return is important — it settles what you actually owe.
Can I get a refund if I received too much in relief payments?
If you received too much in advance payments on a tax credit, the overpayment reduces your refund when you file your return. You do not get a separate refund for the overpayment; it's handled as part of your tax calculation. If you received too much in a stimulus payment by mistake, contact the IRS to discuss repayment options.
How long does it take to receive a relief payment by check?
The IRS typically mails checks within one to two weeks of approving the payment. Once mailed, a check takes five to seven business days to arrive, though it can take longer depending on your location and mail service. If you haven't received it within two weeks of the "sent" date shown in "Get My Payment," contact the IRS.
What if the IRS sent a relief payment to the wrong address?
If you've moved since your last tax return, the IRS may have sent your payment to an old address. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your current address. You can also file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service so mail is forwarded. If the check was sent to an old address and cashed by someone else, report it to the IRS and they can investigate.