Third Stimulus Check Calculator (American Rescue Plan)
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 issued a third round of Economic Impact Payments worth up to $1,400 per person. Enter your tax filing status, adjusted gross income (from your 2019 or 2020 return), and the number of qualifying dependents to estimate the payment you were eligible for. The result updates as you type and shows the full phase-out math.
What was the third stimulus check?
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law on March 11, 2021, authorized a third round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) worth up to $1,400 per eligible individual and $1,400 per qualifying dependent. Unlike the first two rounds, the third round included dependents of any age - college students, elderly parents, and adult children with disabilities all counted. The IRS began issuing payments electronically within days of enactment and continued through 2021 via direct deposit, paper check, or prepaid debit card.
How the phase-out formula works
If your adjusted gross income (AGI) falls below the full-payment threshold for your filing status, you receive the entire amount. Once your AGI enters the phase-out range, your payment decreases linearly. For a single filer, the payment drops from the full amount at $75,000 AGI to $0 at $80,000 AGI - a $5,000 range over which the payment is reduced proportionally. For example, a single filer with one dependent and an AGI of $77,500 (halfway through the phase-out range) would receive 50% of their gross payment of $2,800, or $1,400. The formula is: payment = gross amount x (1 - (AGI - lower threshold) / (upper threshold - lower threshold)).
Recovery Rebate Credit - claiming a missed or underpaid stimulus
If the IRS underpaid you based on an older tax return, or if you were not in their system (new filers, non-filers, recent immigrants), you could claim the difference as a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 Form 1040 (line 30). For example, if a new baby born in 2021 was not captured in the automatic payment, that $1,400 could be claimed on the 2021 return. The credit is fully refundable, meaning it can increase your refund or reduce what you owe even if your income tax liability is zero.
Which tax year the IRS used to determine eligibility
The IRS used your most recently processed tax return - your 2020 return if already filed, or your 2019 return otherwise - to calculate and issue your payment automatically. Taxpayers who had a higher income in 2020 than in 2019 could see a smaller automatic payment than they expected. Conversely, taxpayers whose 2020 income dropped below a threshold might have received more than the 2019-based calculation would have suggested. The Recovery Rebate Credit lets you reconcile any difference based on your actual 2021 income (which is generally lower than the thresholds for most people).
Third Stimulus Phase-Out Thresholds by Filing Status
| Filing Status | Full Payment Below | Phase-Out Ends (Ineligible) | Base Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single / MFS | $75,000 | $80,000 | $1,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $150,000 | $160,000 | $2,800 |
| Head of Household | $112,500 | $120,000 | $1,400 |
| Each Qualifying Dependent | Any AGI | At cutoff | $1,400 |
Payments phase out proportionally between the start and end AGI amounts.
Frequently asked questions
How much was the third stimulus check per person?
The third stimulus check was worth up to $1,400 per eligible individual. Married couples filing jointly could receive up to $2,800. Each qualifying dependent - of any age - added another $1,400. A family of four (two adults, two kids) with AGI under the threshold would receive $5,600 total.
What income level cut off the third stimulus check?
Payments phased out completely at $80,000 AGI for single filers, $160,000 for married couples filing jointly, and $120,000 for heads of household. Those earning exactly at the cutoff received nothing; the reduction was proportional between the lower threshold and the cutoff.
Did the third stimulus include adult dependents?
Yes. A major change in the American Rescue Plan compared to the first two stimulus rounds was that the $1,400 dependent payment applied to dependents of any age. This included college students claimed as dependents, elderly parents, and adult children with disabilities - groups that were excluded from earlier rounds.
What is the Recovery Rebate Credit and how do I claim it?
If you received less than the full stimulus amount you were entitled to, or missed the payment entirely, you could claim the difference as the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on line 30 of your 2021 Form 1040. The credit is fully refundable, meaning it can reduce what you owe or increase your refund. The deadline to file a 2021 tax return and claim this credit was April 15, 2025, for most taxpayers.
Which tax year did the IRS use to issue my third stimulus?
The IRS used your most recently filed and processed return - your 2020 return if available, or your 2019 return if you had not yet filed for 2020. If your income dropped significantly in 2020 or 2021 compared to prior years, you may have been entitled to a larger payment than the automatic amount you received.
I never received my third stimulus - what can I do?
If you believe you were eligible and never received a payment, the primary remedy was the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return. You can also check your IRS online account (irs.gov) to see records of your Economic Impact Payment. The window to claim the credit via a 2021 return closed in 2025 for most filers, but you should contact the IRS or a tax professional for your specific situation.