Plus-up payments are an additional stimulus payment that is issued to those who received a stimulus payment based on their 2019 tax return or the information received from the Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, or U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, and may be eligible to receive a larger payment depending on their 2020 tax return.
The good news is that you don’t have to claim a plus-up stimulus payment. Instead, the IRS will automatically evaluate whether you are eligible to receive the payment once your 2020 tax return is processed and issue the payment to you. Other than ensuring your tax returns for both 2019 and 2020 have been filed, there’s not much you need to do to receive the plus-up payment.
Plus-up payments, however, are sent out separately from your tax refund money and other stimulus payments, so don’t be surprised if you receive it at a different time. And, it may come to you in the form of a paper check even if you received your stimulus payment via debit card or direct deposit.
Even those who filed their 2019 tax returns as they normally would but did not add their dependents or spouse may be eligible to receive a plus-up payment since the eligibility has been updated. All you have to do to receive the plus-up payment, in this case, is file your 2020 tax return with your dependent and spouse listed. Once the IRS processes the return, you will receive the payment. To know if you are eligible to receive a plus-up payment, check out the IRS’ Get My Payment tool.
If you do not file taxes, have no income, or make under $75,000, you can make use of the Free File tool to receive your stimulus payment in the form of a tax rebate.