Stimulus Payment FAQs

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Stimulus Payment for many taxpayers you may find helpful. We pulled these from the IRS website on April 20, 2020.

The IRS is updating their Frequently Asked Questions nightly so please USE THIS LINK to check their website daily for the latest information.

 

IRS Website FAQs

Q30. I requested a direct deposit of my Payment. Why are you mailing it to me as a check?

A30. It is possible we do not have the correct bank account information for you, or your financial institution rejected the direct deposit. In either case, your Payment will be mailed to the address we have on file for you.

Q23. What if the bank account number I used on my recent tax return is closed or no longer active? Can I switch and be mailed a Payment?

A23. If the account is closed or no longer active, the bank will reject the deposit and you will be issued a check that will be mailed to the address we have on file for you. This is generally the address on your most recent tax return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS). You do not need to call the IRS to change your Payment method or update your address at this time.

As required by law and for security reasons, a letter about the Payment will be mailed to each recipient’s last known address within 15 days after the Payment is made. The letter will provide information on how the Payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the Payment.

Q29. Where did you get the bank information for me, and what if I need to change it?

A29. Your bank account information is obtained from the most recently filed tax return or from our Get My Payment application if you provided the information through it. If Get My Payment indicates your Payment has been processed, you cannot change your bank account information.

If you haven’t filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and you received a Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099, your bank account information may be obtained from SSA. You will receive your Payment as a direct deposit or by mail, just as you would normally receive your benefits. You will not be able to use Get My Payment to provide your bank account information.

 

Payment Status

How long will it take for my payment status to change?

Updates to your payment status are made no more than once per day.

Does Get My Payment display different stages of my payment?

Get My Payment will display one of the following payment statuses:

1. Payment Status (one of two statuses) –

• A payment has been processed, a payment date is available, and payment is to be sent either by direct deposit or mail.
• You are eligible, but a payment has not been processed and a payment date is not available.

2. Need More Information – You are eligible for a payment, but we do not have your direct deposit information. You will be given the opportunity to provide your bank information once you have properly verified your identity. Direct Deposit is the fastest way to get your EIP.
3. Payment Status Not Available – We cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time. For example, you didn’t file either a 2018 or 2019 tax return, or you recently filed and the return has not been fully processed.

If a payment date is not provided, updates to your payment status are made no more than once per day.

 

Payment Status Not Available

Why am I getting “Payment Status Not Available”? (updated April 17, 2020)

The Get My Payment application will return “Payment Status Not Available” for several reasons, including:

• You are required to file a tax return, but:
  • We haven’t finished processing your 2019 return
  • The application doesn’t yet have your data; we’re working on adding more data to allow more people to use it.
• You don’t usually file a return, and:
  • You used Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here but we haven’t processed your entry yet
  • You receive an SSA or RRB Form 1099 or SSI or VA benefits; information has not been loaded onto our systems yet for people who don’t normally file a tax return.
• You’re not eligible for a payment.

We update Get My Payment data once per day, overnight so there is no need to check more often. If you are eligible for a payment and have provided your information either through a recent tax return or the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here application, please check back for updates

 

Error Message

Why am I receiving an error message when answering the security questions?

To ensure the information is entered correctly, please use the help tips provided when entering the information requested to verify your identity. If the information you enter does not match our records, you will receive an error message. Check the information requested to ensure you entered it accurately.  You may want to check your most recent tax return or consider if there is a different way to enter your street address. If the information you enter does not match our records multiple times, you will be locked out of Get My Payment for 24 hours for security reasons. There is no need to contact the IRS.

 

Accessing Get My Payment

When can I start checking Get My Payment for the status of my payment?

If you filed your 2018 or 2019 tax return and it has been processed, you can check Get My Payment for the status of your economic impact payment.

If I filed jointly with my spouse, does it matter whose information I use for Get My Payment?

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.

I am not required to file a tax return, can I still use Get My Payment to check my payment status?

Depending on your specific circumstances,  it may not be  possible for you to access Get My Payment if you usually do not file a tax return. If your identity cannot be verified when answering the required security questions, you will not be able to use Get My Payment.

I receive a Form SSA-1099 or RRB-1099 and file a tax return. Can I use Get My Payment to check my payment status?

Yes, you will be able to use Get My Payment to check the status of your payment after you verify your identity by answering the required security questions.

I receive a Form SSA-1099 or RRB-1099 and do not file a tax return because I don’t meet the income requirement to file. Can I use Get My Payment to provide my bank information to receive my EIP by direct deposit?

You will not be able to use Get My Payment to provide your bank account information because you did not file tax returns for 2018 or 2019. The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 to generate your payment. You will receive your payment as a direct deposit or by mail, just as you would normally receive your benefits.

If I have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), can I use Get My Payment?

You can access Get My Payment using an ITIN, but in most cases, the law does not allow an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) for individuals who file a return using an ITIN. The only exception is when two spouses file a joint tax return and either spouse is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the taxable year, in which case only one spouse needs to have a valid SSN.

 

Get Latest Updates From the IRS on the Coronavirus Tax Relief

Get answers to Economic Impact Payments questions

We are regularly updating our Economic Impact Payments and Get My Payment application frequently asked questions pages so check back often for the latest additions that answer many common questions.

Get My Payment: Reasons you may get “Status Not Available”

The Get My Payment application will return “Status Not Available” if you are not eligible for a payment or we don’t have enough information yet to provide a status. See the IRS Statement on Get My Payment Application for details.

IRS mission-critical functions continue

While we continue to process electronic returns and issue refunds, some IRS services are limited. Get up-to-date status on affected IRS operations and services.