The recovery rebate credit was paid out to eligible individuals in two rounds of advance payments called economic impact payments (EIP).

You may be able to take this credit only if:

• You are eligible but were not issued an EIP 1, an EIP 2, or neither an EIP 1 or EIP 2, or
• Your EIP 1 was less than $1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly) plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020; or
• Your EIP 2 was less than $600 ($1,200 if married filing jointly) plus $600 for each qualifying child you had in 2020.

However, you don't qualify for this credit if both of the following apply:

• You received $1,200 plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020, or
• You’re filing a joint return for 2020 and together you and your spouse received $2,400 plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020.
• And for EIP 2:
  • You received $600 plus $600 for each qualifying child you had in 2020, or
  • You’re filing a joint return for 2020 and together you and your spouse received $1,200 plus $600 for each qualifying child you had in 2020.