The first shipment of stimulus checks for Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic is already being sent.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has an alert system, sending a notification to the citizen when a check is waiting to be sent.
The IRS is already depositing the first Economic Impact Payments into U.S. taxpayer bank accounts as a stimulus to millions of people.
This stimulus is part of a $2.2 billion economic package, which was approved by Congress in March of this year, for assistance regarding the coronavirus and the unemployed.
The IRS is asking all persons with a tax liability who have not filed their tax returns by 2018 or 2019 to do so as soon as possible in order to receive the stimulus payment.
Deposits are expected to be made in the next few days, starting with those who filed tax returns in order for 2018 or 2019 and were authorized for direct deposit into their accounts.
Those taxpayers who have not filed tax returns in 2018 or 2019, and those who do not have authorized direct deposits will have to wait a little longer to receive federal aid, also applies to people who receive Social Security.
If you are among those who have not filed a tax return by 2019 or 2018, the IRS asks that you do so as soon as possible, even for those taxpayers who normally do not need to file a tax return.
That includes the group of people who earned less than $12,200 in 2019 and those couples who earned less than $24,400. For this group of people, the IRS has established a new tool that can help them.
How do I use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool?
This IRS tool requires people to go to the official website and click on the blue button that says «Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here.
You must then provide basic information as requested, including your Social Security number, name, address and dependents. The IRS will use this information to confirm eligibility and calculate and send a financial impact payment for assistance. Using the tool to obtain your payment will not result in a tax liability.
Finally, enter the bank or financial account information that will allow the IRS to deposit your payment directly into your account. Otherwise, your payment will be mailed to you.
The government has announced that paper checks will begin to be issued the week of May 4th and will be received by those with lower incomes.
Under current legislation, the IRS has until the end of 2020 to transfer and send the payments.
Who will receive the aid payment?
- Everyone except nonresident foreigners and adult dependents, including citizens and permanent residents, can receive the stimulus check.
- Excluding undocumented immigrants, who suffer the tax burden with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Students over age 16 who are dependent on their parents will not be reached by this assistance.
- Railroad retirees who do not normally have to file taxes, the IRS will focus on their Social Security benefit returns (specifically SSA-1099 and RRB-1099). For this reason, the IRS has clarified that these persons do not need to take any action, such as filing a simple tax return, to receive the assistance check.
- Those who receive Social Security benefits and are not usually required to file a tax return will not need to file a return in order to receive pandemic crisis assistance.
- Also, low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, war veterans, and people with disabilities who are not required to file an annual tax return.
For those with a bank account
Thus, taxpayers with a gross income of $75,000 (individuals) and $150,000 (married couples) who have filed jointly will receive payment directly into their bank accounts.
For those who do not have a bank account
The IRS will issue a stimulus check to anyone who does not have one. Those who did not file income tax returns can fill out the information on a new IRS platform to receive their money.
Taxpayers with income above those amounts will have their payment reduced by $5 for every $100 above those thresholds: $75,000 and $150,000.
Those who are not eligible
Federal pandemic assistance payments will not be available to individuals who have filed individually with income exceeding $99,000 and who have filed jointly and exceed $198,000 without a child.
Those who are eligible
Those taxpayers who have filed their tax returns by 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive a payment of up to $1,200 (individuals) and $2,400 (married couples).
All parents will also receive $500 for each qualifying child (under age 17).
How to find out when your federal stimulus and aid check will arrive.
The U.S. Postal Service, called the USPS, has an alert system, which sends a notification to each citizen when he or she has a pending delivery.
To receive this notice, the interested person must create a profile on their website, and then confirm their postal address.
Once registered on the website, you will be able to access the Informed Delivery service, where you will receive black and white photos of the envelopes or mailings that are going to the address you registered on the USPS site, via cell phone or computer.
If the system sends a photo of a certified letter from the Treasury or the IRS, it means that the deposit has already been processed, and that you are about to receive it in the next few days.
Beware of frauds and scams
The IRS called on all taxpayers to be on the lookout for possible scams, as there are numerous scammers who try to take advantage of circumstances to mislead people and send them false promises or information on the subject. These cybercriminals communicate with citizens in any way and ask for bank or personal information, with the excuse that it is necessary to deposit government aid.
Remember, at no time will the beneficiary be asked for banking information, either online, by mail, or by telephone. Beware of these scams!