Consumer Alert: Didn’t get your stimulus? Your money is in the mail! Here’s how to claim it.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Today your consumer alert looks at your return, your rebate, and the fed’s rationale.

Perhaps, like me, you missed getting one or more of the stimulus checks. Or perhaps you got less than you think you should have. I have good news. You still have some M and M’s coming your way, money in the mail.

When I filed, I asked for a Recovery Rebate Credit.

Here’s how that all works:

The president signed the CARES Act into law on March 27 of last year. So in mid-April, qualified Americans got up to $1,200 each plus $500 per pip-squeak. Then less than a week before baby new year’s arrival, Congress passed a second stimulus package. So even though most Americans didn’t get that $600 check until January, the bill passed in 2020, so that means if you didn’t get your stimulus money, you can claim your rebate on your 2020 taxes.

That’s line 30 of your 1040 tax form or 10-40 SR. If you don’t know how much money you should have gotten, the IRS has a recovery rebate credit worksheet.

But I think Kiplinger’s explanation is far clearer than the government’s so-called worksheet.

If you buy tax preparation software, it will do the math for you. If you haven’t bought yours, Kiplinger’s analysis is helpful.

So, if you’re eligible for a recovery rebate credit, that credit will either reduce your tax bill or increase your tax refund. So while it was frustrating for those of us the government forgot, we just need to remind Uncle Sam on line 30 of that tax form. Good things do indeed come to those who wait.

And that’s your consumer alert.