Coronavirus Tax Relief Stimulus – Are you due a payment?
Generally, most eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018 will receive the stimulus payments automatically. Automatic payments will also go soon to those receiving Social Security retirement payments, disability (SSDI) payments, survivor benefits or railroad retirement benefits. You need to ensure that the IRS has your US bank account and routing number in the system.
The IRS understands that this may not be the case for a lot of US tax return filers. As such, on April 15th, 2020 the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service launched two new online applications, ‘Get My Payment’ and ‘The Non-filers: Enter Payment Info’ to help you receive the stimulus payment, if eligible.
Get My Payment
Get My Payment will offer you a quick and easy way to find the status of your stimulus payment and, where possible, provide your bank account information if the IRS does not already have this information.
This online tool will let you check on your Economic Impact Payment, confirm your direct deposit information, address key common questions and the projected date once a deposit has been scheduled.
Using the application
Keep a copy of your most recent tax return at hand to access your stimulus payment details. You will need to enter the following information:
- Social Security number,
- Date of birth and,
- Mailing address used on your tax return
If you need to add your bank account information to speed the payment, you will also need to provide the following information:
- Adjusted Gross Income. If 2019, see line 8b of your 1040 page 1, or if 2018, see line 7 of your 1040 page 2
- The refund or tax due. If 2019, see line 20 (refund) or 23 (tax due) your 1040 page 2, or if 2018, see line 19 (refund) or 22 (tax due) of your 1040 page 2
- Bank account type, account, and routing numbers
Important: Get My Payment cannot update your bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery.
To help protect against potential fraud, the tool does not allow people to change bank account information already on file with the IRS.
The Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Tool
This is an option designed in partnership with Free File for individuals who do not have a tax return filing obligation, including those with too little income. If you did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 you can submit basic personal information to the IRS so that you can receive payments. In order to speed payments, you should enter your bank account information. Your payment will be directly deposited in their bank account. Access the Free File application and get additional non-filer information here.
Unable to provide bank details for direct deposit
The IRS has confirmed that it will send paper checks to your mailing address on the last filed tax return if the IRS does not have your direct deposit information. The Treasury Department has ordered President Trump’s name to be printed on every stimulus check. This process could possibly delay the delivery of the checks.
Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments
The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov. People should watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.
More information can be found on the IRS Coronvirus web page and the Coronavirus Economic Impact Information Center website.