IRS website – Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions (updated May 20, 2020)

On its website, IRS has added to its FAQs regarding its “Get My Payment” website, which provides information about economic impact payments (EIPs) made under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Background. As part of the CARES Act (PL 116-136, 3/27/2020), IRS is making EIPs to certain taxpayers.

Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds.

Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 automatically receive an EIP of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples. Parents also receive $500 for each qualifying child under the age of 17 as of the end of 2020.

IRS has set up the Get My Payment website/tool that:

1. Shows taxpayers either their EIP amount and the scheduled delivery date of the EIP by direct deposit or paper check, or that a payment has not been scheduled; and
2. Allows taxpayers who did not use direct deposit on their last filed tax return to provide their direct deposit information which will speed their receipt of their EIP. (Get My Payment tool)

The IRS also has an online “non-filer tool,” that taxpayers who do not file tax returns can use to register to receive their EIPs. See IRS launches new on-line tool to help non-filer register for Economic Impact Payments (4/13/2020) .

The IRS previously updated its FAQs about the Get My Payment website on May 4. See IRS adds FAQs about “Get My Payment” economic impact payment website/tool (05/06/2020) .

Added FAQ. The IRS added FAQs, including:

Q. I am not required to file a tax return. Can I still use Get My Payment to check my payment status?

A. Depending on your specific circumstances, it may not be possible for you to access Get My Payment.

If you used the non-filer tool, then Get My Payment will display your Payment Status and details within two weeks. Until your payment is scheduled, you will receive a “Payment Status Not Available” message.

If you receive Supplementary Security Income (SSI), Survivor or Disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits or Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries and did not file a return or use the non-filer tool, then:

• Get My Payment will display your Payment Status and details once it has been scheduled for delivery. Until then, you will receive a “Payment Status Not Available” message.
• You will not be able to use Get My Payment to provide your bank account information. The IRS will use the information from SSA or VA to generate your payment.
• You will receive your payment as a direct deposit or by mail, just as you would normally receive your benefits. For example, if your benefits are currently deposited to a Direct Express card (a debit card used to receive federal benefits), your EIP will also be deposited to that card. If your benefits are currently deposited to your bank account, your EIP will also be deposited to that account.

If a Direct Express account holder used the non-filer tool to add a spouse or qualifying child, the account holder cannot receive the EIP payment on the Direct Express card. The account holder must select a bank account for direct deposit or leave bank information blank and receive the EIP by mail.

If you did not file a return, did not use the non-filer tool, or are not a recipient of SSA, SSI, RRB or VA benefits, then the IRS may not have enough information on file for you to send you an EIP. In that case, Get My Payment will display a “Payment Status Not Available” message.

Q. I filed jointly with my spouse. Does it matter whose information I use for Get My Payment?

A. Either spouse can use Get My Payment by providing their own information for the security questions used to verify their identity. Once verified, the same payment status will be shown for both spouses. If you receive “Need More Information” and proceed to enter your direct deposit information, you should enter the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and Refund Amount or Amount You Owed exactly as it appears on your joint tax return.

The AGI can be found on Line 8b on your 2019 Form 1040 or 1040-SR, or Line 7 on your 2018 Form 1040.

The refund amount can be found on Line 21a on your 2019 Form 1040 or 1040-SR, or line 20a on your 2018 Form 1040.

The amount you owed can be found on Line 23 on your 2019 Form 1040 or 1040-SR, or Line 22 on your 2018 Form 1040.

Your EIP can only be directed to one bank account if you filed jointly.

Q. I requested a direct deposit of my payment. Why are you mailing it to me?

A.There are several reasons why your payment may have been sent by mail, including:

• If the payment was already in process before the bank information was entered, or
• If the bank rejects the deposit because the bank information is invalid or the bank account has been closed.

The IRS will mail your payment to the address IRS has on file for you. Get My Payment will be updated to reflect the date your payment will be mailed. Typically, it will take up to 14 days to receive the payment, standard mailing time.

The IRS notes that it is not possible to change your bank information online once your payment has been processed. Don’t contact the IRS as phone assistors won’t be able to change your bank information either.

Q. My bank account information has changed since I filed. Can I update it using the Get My Payment tool?

No. To help protect against potential fraud, the tool does not allow people to change direct deposit information already on file with the IRS.

If the IRS issues a direct deposit and the bank information is invalid or the bank account has been closed, the bank will reject the deposit. The IRS will then mail your EIP as soon as possible to the address it has on file for you, and will update Get My Payment to reflect the date your payment will be mailed.

Q. The Get My Payment website indicates my EIP went to my bank, but I’ve learned it was sent to them in error and has been returned to the IRS for reprocessing. How can I see the status of this payment and where it will be sent?

A. Once reprocessed, these payments will be automatically mailed to the most current address on file. This could be the address identified on a 2019 or 2018 tax return, or the address on file with the U.S Postal Service. Get My Payment tool will update accordingly. However, until the IRS processes the returned payment, there may be a short period where Get My Payment may still indicate the original payment date and direct deposit status.

In mid-April, some taxpayers may have seen an erroneous message when checking Get My Payment, which indicated the EIP was being deposited to the same taxpayer account a second time. The IRS corrected this reporting error as of Tuesday, April 21 to reflect that the taxpayer’s payment was actually mailed and not rerouted.

References: For information about EIPs, see FTC 2d/FIN A-4465.