Where is my
Stimulus Check?
Everyone gets a stimulus check... right?
Unfortunately, no. Stimulus checks have been going out steadily, but while some received theirs a month ago, many are still waiting. The harsh news is that some people will get their check immediately, some late, some next year, and some not at all...
Where to check the status of your stimulus check
If you don't know the status of your stimulus check, you can put your information into the IRS website for a general status update.
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- Click 'Get My Payment'
- Click 'Ok'
- Input your SSN, date of birth, address, and zip code
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Why you haven't received your stimulus check
Let's start easy: if you don't qualify, you won't get one. Here are the following people who don't qualify for a check.
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Young adults aged 17 through college who are dependents*
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If you owe back Child Support your check will go to the kids
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If you owe money to your bank, the bank could seize the check to offset overdrafts, etc. (Wells Fargo and Chase have announced they won’t do this)
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Those whose income is too high. Single people earning over $75k and Married couples earning over $150k. Your check may be reduced or you may get nothing.
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*For kids between 17 and college, if you are claimed as a dependent on your parents tax return then you don't qualify. HOWEVER depending on if your status changes in 2018, 2019, or 2020, you may or may not receive a check at all. If your parents stop claiming you, you become married, or move out, you may get a check later. (Get married in 2020, you’ll get an extra $1200 bucks from Uncle Sam!) because the IRS’s system hasn’t caught up to your changed situation. If your parents claim you, then you don’t get a check. Note: for kids 0-16, parents get an extra $500.
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WHY?
Reasons your check is delayed (and when you can expect it)
Most common reason your stimulus is delayed:
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You owed money last year.
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If you were divorced in the last year, then your spouse may get your check. You can argue with them about it or wait for 2020 and reconciliation.
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Changed banks since you filed? The IRS will try to use the last account you put on your return. Your Direct Deposit may bounce and then the IRS will issue a check.
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Non-filers who made too much money. The IRS may be waiting for your return.
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Moved this year? The IRS may have a hard time finding where to mail your check.
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Divorced couples may not get the right amount of credit for their children **
**For divorcees who claim their kids every other year, the parent who claimed the kids in 2019 may receive the check. This will have to be reconciled on your 2020 tax return.
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Unfortunately, many people who qualify this year may still have to wait until NEXT year to receive their check. Like many other businesses, most IRS employees were sent home due to COVID-19 and only volunteers are back in the office. As they have limited personnel, their ability to get stimulus checks out as well as fix banking and address issues are severely limited. On the IRS website, they’ve stated DO NOT CALL THEM – they won't be able to fix it right away.
It’s always possible that the IRS will keep trying to send checks to those who had errors after the pandemic. So if you don’t qualify on your 2018 return and you file 2019 in September will you still get a check? Hard maybe. those wonderful volunteers in our government will get the rest of these checks in the mail soon.
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Please note: If you receive a check for someone who died prior to 2020 you must return it to the IRS. As of right now, the IRS has not specified if families who lost someone in 2019 or 2020 will be able to keep their loved ones check.
Predicting the Future
When you file your 2020 return, you will need to tell your preparer how much your stimulus check was. Once the return is filed, your preparer will see if you're entitled to more money. BUT because people haven't been told to keep records of what they received, this will probably be the SINGLE. MOST. COMMON. source for errors on tax returns for 2020.
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Keep your records, and stay safe.