One Other Option: You Can Ask The Irs To Track Down Your Stimulus Payment
If you think the IRS did send you a stimulus payment and they money didnt show up, there is one other option. You can ask the IRS to conduct a payment trace to see if it can track down your payment. Its a last resort, and the IRS has lots of read this before you ask for a Payment Trace information to pass along. The IRS says:
If Get My Payment or your Notice 1444 or 1444-B shows your payment was issued as a direct deposit more than five days after the payment date, your first step is to check with your bank and make sure they didnt receive a deposit. Do not check with your bank prior to five days because they may not have any information.
You should only request a payment trace to track your payment if you received Notice 1444 or Notice 1444-B or if “Get My Payment” shows your payment was issued and you have not received it within the timeframes below. IRS assistors cannot initiate a payment trace unless it has been:
- 5 days since the deposit date and the bank says it hasnt received the payment
- 4 weeks since the payment was mailed by check to a standard address for the first EIP after February 24, 2021 for the second EIP
- 6 weeks since the payment was mailed, and you have a forwarding address on file with the local post office for the first EIP March 10, 2021 for the second EIP
- 9 weeks since the payment was mailed, and you have a foreign address for the first EIP March 31, 2021 for the second EIP
My Stimulus Payment Was Too High
Some individuals whose income increased too much in 2019 were not eligible for a full stimulus payment, but they got one anyway since the IRS based the payment on their 2018 taxes. Those individuals will not have to pay back the payment.
In other cases, families were paid an extra $500 or $600 for children who were 17 or older . This could happen if the IRS took the number of children who qualified for the child tax credit in 2018 without updating children’s ages for 2019. But in other cases, it looks like the IRS took the number of dependents from a family’s 2018 tax return, without regard to their age. The IRS has said that those who received such overpayments will not have to pay them back.
Getting A Missing Check Can Be Difficult But Worth The Trouble
by Adam Shell, AARP, February 4, 2022
Nobody wants to leave money on the table, especially a stimulus payment from the U.S. government that theyre eligible for but didnt receive. In late January the Internal Revenue Service announced that all third-round stimulus checks had been sent. But the IRS also noted that not all eligible Americans received the full amount theyre entitled to.
The good news? Theres still time to get whats owed to you.
Uncle Sam which issued 175 million third-round payments, totaling over $400 billion, through the end of 2021 reminded people that they can claim any remaining stimulus money theyre entitled to but didnt get by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 income tax return.
The rebate, which comes as a tax credit of up to $1,400 per eligible person on your 2021 return, will either lower the amount of tax you owe or boost the size of your refund. The golden prize of a tax return is a tax credit, says Mark Steber, chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt, a tax preparation service. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a dollar-for-dollar tax-liability offset.
You May Like: File For Missing Stimulus Check
Where Is My 2nd Stimulus Check Now
As with the first round of stimulus checks from the CARES Act, Americans can check the status of their payments at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. The Get My Payment tool was reopened on Monday, and will confirm if the IRS has sent your second stimulus check, as well as your first payment.
The Irs Get My Payment Tool Says Your Check Was Mailed Or Deposited But You Didnt Get It So Now What
Many 13News viewers say the IRS portal indicates their check was mailed on Jan. 6, yet they have not yet seen a payment.
We can verify your stimulus money might still be on the way. The IRSs website says if the Get My Payment tool shows your payment was mailed, it may take up to three to four weeks for you to receive it. The agency isnt saying WHY it could take that long, but it advises to watch your mail carefully for a check or a debit card.
According to IRS.gov, if you checked GMP on or after Jan. 5 and:
- GMP reflects a direct deposit date and partial account information, then your payment is deposited there.
- GMP reflects a date your payment was mailed it may take up to three to four weeks for you to receive the payment. Watch your mail carefully for a check or an EIP debit card.
See below for more information on what to do if you dont get your payment soon.
Read Also: Get My Stimulus Payment 1400
‘payment Status Not Available’: Why
The IRS says that millions of taxpayers have successfully used the new Get My Payment app to track their stimulus checks and, if needed, add their direct deposit information to get payment faster. So why are countless people complaining on social media that they entered their information at the app only to receive a frustrating “Payment Status Not Available” message?
In some cases, there could be glitches with the Get My Payment app itself that are preventing people from adding direct deposit information or finding out the expected date for their payments to arrive. Among other quirks, the system may give you a “Payment Status Not Available Message” if you owed $0 in taxes and received no refund on your most recent tax return, the Washington Post reported, because the IRS form gave an error message for people entering “0” in those corresponding spots.
The Get My Payment app went offline during certain late-night hours on Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25, for “planned maintenance.” On April 26, the IRS announced “significant enhancements” to the app, though the agency did not specify which glitches had been fixed. “We urge people who havent received a payment date yet to visit Get My Payment again for the latest information,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. “IRS teams worked long hours to deliver Get My Payment in record time, and we will continue to make improvements to help Americans.”
How To Know If You Qualify For The Recovery Rebate Credit
Most taxpayers who qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit have information on their 2020 tax return that is different from their 2019 return, or differences between their 2019 and 2018 returns if discussing the first stimulus.
For example, taxpayers who had or adopted a child in 2020 would qualify for more stimulus payment connected to their new addition. Additionally, younger taxpayers who were claimed as a dependent on a 2019 return but will be filing independently on their 2020 return will also be entitled to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Finally, there are several requirements that an individual must possess to qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit, including:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien
- Can’t be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return
- Must have a Social Security number valid for employment that’s issued before the due date of your 2020 tax return
For example, lets say a couple had one child in 2019 and a modified adjusted gross income of $80,000. They received all of their EIP 1 and 2 payments for the three of them in 2020. They also had twins in 2020. They are eligible for an additional $2,200 + in Recovery Rebate Credit based on their twins. They will include the RRC when they file their 2020 tax return.
Don’t Miss: H& r Block Stimulus Check
First And Second Stimulus Check
You will need to file a tax return for Tax Year 2020 . The deadline to file your taxes this year was May 17, 2021. The tax filing extension deadline is October 15, 2021.
If you missed the filing deadline, you can still file your tax return to get your first and second stimulus checks. If you dont owe taxes, there is no penalty for filing late. If you owe taxes, you may be subject to penalties and fines for not filing or not paying taxes. The government may reduce your tax refund to pay for any taxes you owe and other federal and state debts.
To learn more about your options if you think you owe taxes, read Filing Past Due Tax Returns and What to Do if I Owe Taxes but Cant Pay Them.
What If I Never Got The 1st Or 2nd Stimulus Checks
If you’re missing a first or second stimulus check but believe you qualify, then you can claim the money on your 2020 tax return . The payments are worth up to $1,200 and $600 per person, respectively.
When you prepare your tax return, you’ll be asked to report the total Economic Impact Payment received to date.
There will be a separate worksheet on your tax return with instructions for calculating any outstanding amount owed to you, if anything. If you file your taxes using online software, the provider will prompt you to enter the required information and do the calculations for you.
The IRS advises filers to only fill out this portion of their return if they received less than the maximum payment amount.
You May Like: When Will The $1400 Stimulus Checks Be Mailed Out
Will You Get A Paper Check Or A Debit Card
If you are eligible for the second round of stimulus payments and you did not get a direct deposit by early January, chances are your payment was supposed to arrive by either a paper check or a debit card. If you got a paper check for your first stimulus payment last year, you might still get a debit card this time. And some people who got a debit card last time may receive a check now.
IRS and Treasury urge eligible people who dont receive a direct deposit to watch their mail carefully during this period for a check or an Economic Impact Payment card, which is sponsored by the Treasury Departments Bureau of the Fiscal Service and is issued by Treasurys financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A, the IRS explained. The Economic Impact Payment Card will be sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. It has the Visa name on the front of the Card and the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. on the back of the card. Information included with the card will explain that this is your Economic Impact Payment.
More information about the debit cards is available at EIPcard.com.
This Article Talks About:
Andy Meek is a reporter who has covered media, entertainment, and culture for over 20 years. His work has appeared in outlets including The Guardian, Forbes, and The Financial Times, and hes written for BGR since 2015. Andy’s coverage includes technology and entertainment, and he has a particular interest in all things streaming. Over the years, hes interviewed legendary figures in entertainment and tech that range from Stan Lee to John McAfee, Peter Thiel, and Reed Hastings.
Recommended Reading: When Can Social Security Recipients Expect The Stimulus Check
I Received A Second Payment But My Spouse Didn’t
There have been cases where a couple submit their tax returns as “married filing jointly,” and both spouses are eligible for a $1,400 stimulus check, but one spouse received a payment and the other did not . This is an error on the IRS’s part. Unfortunately, the spouse who didn’t receive a check will have to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on his or her 2020 tax return. See below for instructions on claiming the rebate on your tax return.
Check The Get My Payment Tool
The IRS website has been uploading data for your third stimulus payment into a tool on its website called Get My Payment. If your information has been updated, you’ll be able to see the date you can expect to receive your stimulus payment, or the date it was deposited or mailed. You should also be able to see whether your money was direct deposited or whether you’ll be receiving the payment by mail.
Many people are seeing a message that says either the IRS doesn’t have enough information yet or you aren’t eligible for the payment. This message doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t eligible for the payment. This information may be updated this coming weekend.
Here are some of the issues people are seeing, either with their actual deposit or with the Get My Payment tool.
Don’t Miss: Amount Of All Stimulus Checks
I Got A Notice 1444 In The Mail Should I Keep It
Yes. Notice 1444 specifies the payment amount you received for the first Economic Impact Payment in 2020, while Notice 1444-B will note the amount of your second stimulus payment. If you need to complete the Economic Recovery Rebate Credit worksheet on your 2020 tax return, youâll need to refer to Notice 1444 and Notice 1444-B for the amount you received. Even if you received the full stimulus payment amount, retain this notice with your 2020 tax records.
Find Out Which Payments You Received
To find the amounts of your Economic Impact Payments, check:
Your Online Account: Securely access your individual IRS account online to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the Economic Impact Payment Information section on the Tax Records page.
IRS EIP Notices: We mailed these notices to the address we have on file.
- Notice 1444: Shows the first Economic Impact Payment sent for tax year 2020
- Notice 1444-B: Shows the second Economic Impact Payment sent for tax year 2020
- Notice 1444-C: Shows the third Economic Impact Payment sent for tax year 2021
Letter 6475: Through March 2022, we’ll send this letter confirming the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payment and any plus-up payments you received for tax year 2021.
You will need the total payment information from your online account or your letter to accurately calculate your Recovery Rebate Credit. For married filing joint individuals, each spouse will need to log into their own online account or review their own letter for their half of the total payment.
Don’t Miss: H& r Block Stimulus Tracker
Do You Have To File Taxes To Get A Stimulus Check 2021
The answer is yes, and no. If you cant file your 2020 tax return by 17 May, you can ask for an automatic tax filing extension to buy time until 15 October. This will give you more time but delay any payment that you could receive. Regardless, you will have to file to get any stimulus money that might be due to you.
Why Is My 2nd Stimulus Status Not Available
Problem #2: The IRS doesn’t have enough information to issue my stimulus payment. “Payment Status Not Available” could also mean that the IRS “Needs More Information” to issue your stimulus payment. … The IRS says this means you were issued a check, rather than your payment being direct deposited into your bank account.
You May Like: What Was The First Stimulus Check Amount
If I Owe Child Support Will I Be Notified That My Tax Return Is Going To Be Applied To My Child Support Arrears
-
Yes.You were sent a noticewhenyour case wasinitiallysubmitted for federal tax refund offset.The federal government shouldsend an offset notice toyouwhenyour stimulus rebate paymenthasactuallybeenintercepted. The noticewill tell youthatyourtax returnhas been applied toyour child support debtand to contactthe Child Support Divisionifyoubelieve this was done in error.
What If The Irs Deposited Your Money Into The Wrong Bank Account Or A Closed Bank Account
Other 13News viewers say the “Get My Payment” portal shows the IRS tried to deposit their money into the wrong account or an account that was closed.
The IRS advises, If you dont recognize the bank account number displayed in the Get My Payment tool it does not mean your deposit was made to the wrong account that there is a fraud. If you do not recognize the account number, it may be an issue related to how information is displayed in the tool tied to temporary accounts used for refund loans/banking products. You do not need to complete Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
At the same time, the IRS has acknowledged it improperly sent millions of EIP stimulus deposits to the wrong bank accounts that were set up through TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt and H& R Block.
Earlier this month, the agency said the IRS and tax industry partners are taking steps to redirect stimulus payments to the correct account for those affected. The IRS also advised, If Get My Payment shows bank account information you dont recognize, watch your bank account and mail for a payment. Were automatically reissuing stimulus payments as a direct deposit or as a mailed check or debit card.
Its not clear how long it will take to redirect millions of stimulus payments, but the IRS and private tax services suggested the error would be corrected quickly, so most of the impacted payments should have been deposited into the correct bank accounts by now.
Also Check: Can Unemployed Get Stimulus Check
Ways To Find The Amount Of Your First And Your Second Stimulus Checks
Hint: If you lost the letter on your payment the IRS sent you, you have options. We’ll tell you what you need to know.
Shelby Brown
Staff Writer
Shelby Brown is a writer for CNET’s services and software team. She covers tips and tricks for apps and devices, as well as Apple Arcade news.
The first and second stimulus payments still haven’t arrived for some folks. If this is the case for you, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 tax return — oh, and don’t worry, the IRS extended the filing deadline. Taxes are now due on May 17, so you — and the IRS — have a bit more time.
If you want to check the amount of your first and second payments — for a jog to your memory, your records or for taxes — you can no longer view it in the Get My Payment tool. But we can help. Here are two ways to find out the amounts of your first two stimulus checks.
