Stimulus Checks for Newborns and Recently Adopted Children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government introduced multiple rounds of stimulus checks to support families, workers, and the economy. Many parents received financial relief through these payments. But what if you had a baby or adopted a child after the checks were sent out? The good news is that some families may still qualify for stimulus money for their newborns or adopted children, even if they didn’t get it right away. Whether your child was born or adopted in 2020 or 2021, you may be eligible to claim additional funds by filing or updating your tax return. Here’s how it works and what parents should know.

How Stimulus Payments Were Linked to Dependents

The government issued three rounds of stimulus payments:

• First Round (March 2020): $1,200 per adult and $500 per child.
• Second Round (December 2020): $600 per adult and $600 per child.
• Third Round (March 2021): $1,400 per person, including children.

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To receive the money for your child, the IRS had to know about your dependent at the time the payment was issued. But if your child was born or adopted after you filed your taxes, the IRS may not have had that information yet.

For example, if your baby was born in 2020, but your most recent tax return was from 2019, the IRS wouldn’t know to include them. However, this does not mean you lost the money. You can still claim it by filing a Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return for that year.

Can I Still Claim Stimulus Money for My Baby or Adopted Child?

Yes, if your child was:

• Born in 2020 – You can claim the first, second, and third stimulus payments by filing or amending your 2020 and 2021 tax returns.
• Adopted in 2020 – As long as the child was placed in your home and you had a legal or custodial arrangement, you may qualify for the payments.
• Born or adopted in 2021 – You may qualify for the third stimulus check of $1,400 for the child, even if you didn’t receive it at the time.

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The key is to ensure the IRS has your updated dependent information through a current tax return.

Also, make sure the child has a valid Social Security number, which is required to receive the credit.

How to Claim the Recovery Rebate Credit

If you missed out on earlier stimulus payments for your newborn or adopted child, you can claim the money through the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return:

1. File your tax return for the correct year (2020 or 2021).
2. Use IRS Form 1040 and enter your dependent’s information.
3. Include the Recovery Rebate Credit on Line 30.
4. If you already filed taxes but left out your child, you may need to amend your return.

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If you qualify, the IRS will either add the payment to your refund or send it to you separately after reviewing your return.

Note: Always double-check with a tax advisor or use IRS-approved software to ensure you’re filing correctly.

Raising a newborn or newly adopted child is expensive—and every bit of financial help matters. If your child was born or adopted in 2020 or 2021 and you didn’t receive stimulus money at the time, you still have a chance to get it. By updating your tax return and claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit, you can receive hundreds or even thousands of dollars that your family qualifies for. Don’t miss this opportunity—check your eligibility, file your return, and claim the support your child deserves.

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