Financial help
The IRS has a free web app called “Get My Payment” that you can use to check the status of your Economic Impact Payment. The app also allows you to securely send your banking information to the IRS, if you would prefer to receive your payment through direct deposit instead of waiting for a paper check. Use the app at irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
The U.S. government has already sent out 160 million Economic Impact Payments to Americans in need. A second round of payments would require Congress to pass a bill that provides additional funding. At this time, there is no legislation that has passed to authorize a second round of payments.
For updates, please visit IRS.gov.
Ask for help: Many companies have special programs to help people right now. Contact the companies you owe money to and try to work out a new payment plan with lower payments or delayed due dates. Make sure to get any changes in writing.
In May 2020, the FTC learned that some facilities were trying to take the stimulus payments intended for their residents on Medicaid. Why? They claimed that, because the person is on Medicaid, the facility gets to keep the stimulus payment. The fact is, those economic impact payments are a tax credit, and don’t count as “resources” for federal benefits programs, like Medicaid. If you or loved one experienced this, tell your state attorney general’s office first, and then tell the FTC: ftc.gov/complaint.
You are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 (or $2,400 if you filing jointly) if you are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income up to:
- $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns
- $112,500 for head of household filers and
- $75,000 for all other eligible individuals
Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and VA Compensation and Pension (C&P), who do not file a tax return, will receive a $1,200 payment automatically.
For eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018, they receive the payments automatically.
People who have little or no income and didn’t file a tax return or don’t receive any of the federal benefits listed above are also eligible for an Economic Impact Payment. They need to register with the Non-Filer tool on IRS.gov as soon as possible so they can receive a payment.
The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible.
For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.
For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, these economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.
If you are not normally required to file a tax return, you can use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here web portal to securely submit your information to the IRS. In order to speed payments, you should enter your bank account information and your payment will be directly deposited in your bank account.
You DO NOT need to take any further action if you filed a federal income tax return for 2018 or 2019. If you already filed your tax return for 2019, the IRS will use this information to calculate the Payment amount. If you haven’t filed your tax return for 2019 but filed a 2018 federal income tax return, the IRS will use the information from your 2018 tax return to calculate the Payment amount.
You can submit your information to the IRS through a secure web portal on IRS.gov. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, social security number, and bank account information to use this system. After you submit your information, you will receive your Economic Impact Payment through direct deposit.
If the bank account is closed, the bank will reject the deposit and you will be issued your payment to the address we have on file for you. If our Get My Payment application indicates your payment has been processed, you cannot change your bank account information.
Depending on your situation, you may receive your Economic Impact Payment on a prepaid debit card. The card will have your name on the front and will be issued by MetaBank®, N.A. The card will arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.” Remember, you will NOT be asked to pay any money to activate your card. For more information, please visit EIPcard.com.
Economic Impact Payment debit cards come in a plain white envelope to guard against fraud. If you lost or threw away your EIP card call 1-800-240-8100 for a FREE replacement (option 2 from main menu).
For most people receiving C&P benefits, no action is required to receive your Economic Impact Payment. You will receive your automatic Payment as a direct deposit or by mail, just as you would normally receive your federal benefits. For more information, please visit IRS.gov.
If you have received an Economic Impact Payment for someone who has died, you must return it to the IRS.
If the payment was a paper check:
- Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
- Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
- Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.
If the payment has already been cashed, or if the payment was a direct deposit:
- Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
- Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.
For your paper check, here are the IRS mailing addresses to use based on the state:
For Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont:
Andover Refund Inquiry Unit
1310 Lowell St Mail
Stop 666A
Andover, MA 01810
For Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia:
Atlanta Refund Inquiry Unit
4800 Buford Hwy
Mail Stop 112
Chamblee, GA 30341
For Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas:
Austin Refund Inquiry Unit
3651 S Interregional Hwy 35
Mail Stop 6542
Austin, TX 78741
For New York:
Brookhaven Refund Inquiry Unit
5000 Corporate Ct.
Mail Stop 547
Holtsville, NY 11742
For Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming:
Fresno Refund Inquiry Unit
5045 E Butler Avenue
Mail Stop B2007
Fresno, CA 93888
For Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia:
Kansas City Refund Inquiry Unit
333 W Pershing Rd
Mail Stop 6800, N-2
Kansas City, MO 64108
For Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee:
Memphis Refund Inquiry Unit
5333 Getwell Rd Mail
Stop 8422
Memphis, TN 38118
For District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island:
Philadelphia Refund Inquiry Unit
2970 Market St
DP 3-L08-151
Philadelphia, PA 19104
For a foreign country, U.S. possession or territory, or use an APO or FPO address, or file Form 2555 or 4563, or are a dual-status alien:
Austin Refund Inquiry Unit
3651 S Interregional Hwy 35
Mail Stop 6542 AUSC
Austin, TX 78741
Your account has been locked. You will be able to access the application after 24 hours have passed. Please do not contact the IRS.
No, the IRS is not going to call or email you asking to verify or provide your financial information so you can get an Economic Impact Payment. You should also watch for text messages, websites, and social media attempts to get your money or personal information.
Be on the lookout! Scammers may:
- Emphasize the words “stimulus check” or “stimulus payment.” The official term is economic impact payment.
- Ask you to sign over your economic impact payment check to them.
- Ask by phone, email, text or social media for verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up your economic impact payment.
- Suggest that you can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working on your behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
- Mail you a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell you to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.
If you receive unsolicited emails, text messages or social media attempts to gather information that appear to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), forward it to phishing@irs.gov.
Taxpayers are encouraged not to engage potential scammers online or on the phone. Learn more about reporting suspected scams by going to the Report Phishing and Online Scams page on IRS.gov.
Official IRS information about the COVID-19 pandemic and economic impact payments can be found on the Coronavirus Tax Relief page on IRS.gov. The page is updated quickly when new information is available.
The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.
The IRS has a reduced staff in many of its offices but remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive their payments expeditiously. Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather than calling IRS assistors who are helping process 2019 returns.
Depending on your financial situation, you may receive your Economic Impact Payment on a debit card instead of by paper check. These cards can be used to make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and transfer funds to your personal bank account. For more information, visit https://www.eipcard.com/.
The CARES Act gives some flexibility to federal student loan borrowers. In some cases, the Act allows borrowers to temporarily stop making payments on their loans. This does not apply to all loan types.
Research your options and talk to your loan servicer. Understanding these options can help you make more informed decisions about paying your bills and prioritizing your debts. The program ends September 30, 2020.
No. The federal government does not provide federal assistance in the form of hazard pay, nor has FEMA directly paid individuals. However, the CARES Act has provided unemployment benefits for citizens during the pandemic. FEMA funding allows states to provide at least an additional $300 per week to people who lost work due to COVID-19 through their unemployment insurance programs. Understand myths and facts about the Coronavirus:
The Federal Trade Commission is getting a lot of reports about fraudulent calls, texts, and emails coming from people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, Census, USCIS and the FDIC. These fake government messages might say that you’re approved for money, can get quick relief payments, or get cash grants due to the coronavirus. These are all scams, and none of those messages come from a government agency. If you get a call or message like this, don’t respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
If you missed the July 15 tax deadline and did not request an extension, you should file electronically as soon as possible to avoid penalties and fees. You may also wish to contact a tax professional for assistance. Learn more about how to find a reputable tax professional.
If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Please contact the FBI so that the scammers can be tracked and stopped.
Fraud involving payment of Federal taxes should be reported to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
