Economic Impact Payments

Economic Impact Payments

You may be eligible for any unpaid amount from the three rounds of stimulus payments (April 2020, December 2020/January 2021, and March 2021) by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 and 2021 federal tax returns. Learn about NYC Free Tax Prep services to file your taxes and receive a stimulus payment(s) for free.




Important: If you received your Economic Impact Payment (stimulus payment) in paper form and do NOT have a bank or credit union account, you can avoid check cashing fees by opening an account. Note that some banks are temporarily offering to cash stimulus checks for free for non-account holders. Please check with your local bank or credit union to learn if this is available.

Resources and Free Help

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers:
You can get free financial counseling by phone. Visit nyc.gov/TalkMoney or call 311 to book an appointment. Work with your counselor to open a bank account so you can set up direct deposit; manage changes to your household budget or income; contact creditors; and more. Your counselor can help you open an NYC SafeStart Account (see below).

NYC Free Tax Prep:
Visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 to learn about ways to file your taxes for free with help from an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer. Assistance is available in person, including drop-off services, or online (virtual preparation; assisted self-preparation online).

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection:
Visit nyc.gov/safestart for information about banking options and additional resources, including:
  • NYC SafeStart Account
    You can open an account at one of several banks and credit unions that offer the NYC SafeStart Account, a safe and affordable starter savings account.
  • IDNYC
    You can open an account at an institution that accepts IDNYC as a primary form of ID.
  • Bank On
    You can open an account online that is Bank On-certified.
  • Do More With Your Money Tip Sheets
    Open a Checking Account
    Understand Prepaid Cards
AccessNYC:
Visit access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates to learn about City Agency services, including housing, food, COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, benefits information, schools and child care, and more.

IRS:
The IRS won’t issue you a bogus check, in an odd amount, then tell you to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it. Watch out for that common scam tactic and others. Visit IRS.gov/coronavirus. Click Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.