is their a date have to file 2020 return to still get the recovery rebate credit

[ira]

taxpayer is entitled to  1200 recovery rebate credit

they lost their checks

this is for 2020

they haven't filed yet

is their a certain date taxpayer needs to file the 2020 return by in order

to qualify to receive this recovery rebate money for 2020?

[PATAX]

You still have a lot of time to file return, rebate credit falls  under the same general rules as the tax return itself.. but since the checks were lost, I'm not sure if you will have to request the checks to be reissued, instead of requesting it with the return.... just my opinion

[Skylane]

https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/602150/what-to-do-if-your-third-stimulus-check-is-lost-stolen-or-des...

[qbteachmt]

They have to apply for replacement checks.

Filing the tax return will have nothing to do with getting the refundable credit, since the IRS will show they were given the funds. It's the funds, not the tax filing, that they want to pursue, to get the money. The Tax Return will show they already got the funds, because they did get the funds. There is no way the IRS knows that they lost the checks or simply refused to cash the checks, unless they file for replacements. That way, the IRS can investigate and confirm the checks were never cashed. None of that is triggered from the tax filing.