IRS payment trace vs. Recovery Rebate Credit: How to find missing stimulus checks CNET 3/9/2021 Alison DeNisco Rayome © Provided by CNET You may need to request a Payment Trace from the IRS for your no-show stimulus check. Sarah Tew/CNET Now that it's tax season, most people will need to file for any missing stimulus money you qualified for on your 2020 tax return. You can do this through a Recovery Rebate Credit (even if you don't usually file taxes). Some situations, however, may require you to contact the IRS directly and request something called a payment trace ...