A Few Updates On Those $1,200 Stimulus Checks

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’re aware that the US is sending out $1,200 payments to most residents. The majority of those have already been received via direct deposit/ACH to the bank account which you have on file from your 2018 or 2019 tax return. Here are a few updates on those stimulus checks:

  • IRS Now Lets You Check Your Stimulus Payment Status. If you have qualifying children under 17, use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to have $500 per child added to your $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. You must register by noon Eastern on Wednesday, April 22 (that’s in less than an hour from time of this writing). This is also relevant for those who have had a child since they filed their last tax return – you can add the child to get the $500 now rather than waiting for when you file your taxes.
  • Checks are being sent out to those with lower incomes first, according to the Washington Post.. Those with incomes of $10,000 or less will have their checks sent out on April 24. The system will continue sending out checks through September 4th for top earners. Each week they’ll send out checks for another $10k in earnings, e.g. on May 1st they’ll send out for those who earned $10k-$20k, on May 8th for those with incomes $20k-$30k, etc.
  • Many readers have expressed concern that the bank they used with the IRS on their previous tax return is already closed. My guess had been that it would take a while until the system recognizes the ACH as being bounced back and eventually gets a check in the mail. But some reports suggest this may actually be a quick process with the check coming in the mail within a few weeks. (That would mean the system is prioritizing bounce-backs before the ordinary queue for check payments.)
  • Social Security recipients who don’t usually file tax returns will automatically get $1,200 payments directly to their bank account.
  • Tip: Enter your address in all caps if you are having trouble with the IRS site.

Previous Articles on the Stimulus:
    Chuck
  • On April 22, 2020, 11:22

View Comments (97)

  • I owed taxes so had to put my bank info in the morning of day 1 - finally this morning after logging in everyday lol there was an update of payment date 4/30 scheduled.

    • I did the same as you. Just wanted to make you aware to check your account today. Mine also said 4/30 but I got it today.

  • Right after IRS's Get My Payment opened, I added my checking account info online. Now, a week later, it still says every day that I am eligible, that they don't yet know the date it will be send, but that it will be sent to that account (and shows the correct last 4 digits).

    So it CAN be very slow even after they have all the correct info and have committed to doing it via Direct Deposit.

    • I checked again TODAY and it NOW says:

      We scheduled your payment to be deposited on April 30, 2020 to the bank account below.

      For the record, I did check yesterday and YESTERDAY it was still saying they didn't yet know the date.

    • I entered my direct deposit info on April 15 and have seen daily since then the message that my payment will be deposited into my account but that the date is unavailable.
      This morning, I now see that I will receive a paper check that will be mailed May 4.
      The account I selected for direct deposit is my daily, main checking account, so I am nonplussed as to why I am receiving a paper check. Of course, I'm sure the letter from the IRS will be full of specifics.

      • This happened to me too...except I haven't received mine...did you? (I moved since filing my 2019 return though)

  • All 3 members of my household received $1200 each as direct deposits to bank accounts on 4/15. 2019 taxes have not been filed yet. Glad that I did not have to deal with trying to cash paper checks for this.

  • Of course I have $0 owed/refund because i prepaid exact taxes, so I can't select enter an amount for "amount owed" or "refund due" to get a direct deposit. Guess I'll be waiting til June unless IRS fixes..

  • Just for a datapoint:
    Filed 2018, not filed 2019. Owed taxes in 2018. Definitely eligible. IRS website has showed since launch (I check each day) that "Payment Status Not Available". Fail. Not a particularly help website.

    • Same situation....however for the first time today i was able to get in and update my bank information. I owed taxes in 2018 and my return did not have any of my DD info.

      Just keep checking...

      • I was able to get in today as well after having the same error as all of you. However, I updated my tax return and forgot so I put in the wrong AGI too many times and got locked out for 24 hours, aghh! So close...

    • @guest_962498 I am in the same position and can't get payment status. The FAQ does cover our situation. Anyone who hasn't gotten a refund direct deposited will be getting a physical check, at least that's how I read it:

      https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
      "If you filed your 2019 or 2018 tax return but did not receive your refund by direct deposit, your Payment will be mailed to the address we have on file even if you also receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits by direct deposit. This is generally the address on your most recent tax return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS)."

      When these checks arrive I have no idea.

    • How did you pay your 2018 taxes? I am in a similar situation with the "not available" message, I did not file for 2019 yet and I charged my 2018 taxes so they have do not have an account to deposit to. It appears that they are not handling things well for many people who have not filed their 2019 taxes yet.

      Fortunately I am not in a rush to get the money so I do not look every day to see if the website has been fixed (but I just checked and it's the same thing).

  • I'm confused- the Non-Filers portal where DoC says to enter your info about a child you had in 2019 so you don't need to wait, that portal is specifically for people who won't be filing taxes in 2019 or are not required to. So can people who DO have to file, use this portal to add a 2019-born child? (Haven't filed 2019 yet because qualify for higher payment in 2018, even without the $500 for the 2019-born child.)

    • I read something yesterday that said the IRS suggested NOT using the "will not be filing for 2019" because it could cause delays processing the 2019 return when you get around to filing it.

  • If I am on social security but also being claimed as a dependent by one of my children, would I get a stimulus check at all??

  • I filed in 2018 and 2019 but I owed both years. They did not have my direct deposit information. I was assuming they had it since I paid them from that bank account but they did not. I entered the DD information on the IRS website the first day it was open. Every day I check the status and it says I am eligible for a stimulus payment but to "check back later" when they have a date for my payment.

    • I also filed 2018 taxes (April 2019) and owed money. Have not filed yet for 2019 which isn't supposed to be necessary BUT different from you, all I get from Day one is the we can't determine your eligibility. No opportunity to input DD info. Only difference is you filed your 2019 taxes. Looks like they may be giving preference there. We are certainly eligible based on the income stats.

  • I have not file for 2019 but qualify for reduced amount based on 2018 AGI. Bank account has been the same for the last 2 decades and not a whiff of the payment. IRS "Get my payment" link only gives out generic information, "According to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time.". Also no place to inquire, total BS

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