Susan Tompor
Detroit Free Press
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) As Susan Tompor reports, “Most people shouldn’t be in panic mode, as the second stimulus money only began rolling out last week. We’ve got time to see that cash, especially if it’s arriving via the mail.”
Detroit
Quick, take a look at your bank account — or your mailbox — did up to $600 in stimulus cash show up yet?
If it didn’t, the Internal Revenue Service is telling taxpayers don’t call us — and don’t call your bank. If you’re worried and you’re waiting for your money, your best bet is to visit the IRS.gov website.
The IRS said: “IRS phone assisters do not have additional information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov.”
Most people shouldn’t be in panic mode, as the second stimulus money only began rolling out last week. We’ve got time to see that cash, especially if it’s arriving via the mail.
But if you closed a bank account in the past few months, well, maybe you will need to worry.
I’ve heard this past weekend from plenty of consumers who say they’ve spotted the deposit into their bank accounts already. So far, I’ve not heard from any who are complaining just yet about the second round of stimulus payments. I continue to hear from a few readers who did not receive their first stimulus payments.
Starting on Monday, the IRS said, people could begin to check the status of both their first and second payments by using the Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish at IRS.gov.
But an early check of that site indicated that you might face a wait time trying to log into it. “Due to high demand, you may have to wait longer than usual to access this site. We appreciate your patience,” the IRS site said shortly after 2 p.m. Monday when I tried to access it.
Here’s what you need to know:
Bank accounts: Most people will see this latest round of stimulus money via direct deposit into their bank accounts. According to the IRS, the scheduled payment date is Jan. 4, “which is the official date funds are available.”
The direct deposit is being made to those who have valid routing and account information on file.
But the IRS also warned that some individuals might experience some glitches.
“Because of the speed at which IRS issued this second round of payments,” the IRS stated Monday, “some payments may have been sent to an account that may be closed or no longer active.”
If that happened, the financial institution is going to have to return the money to the IRS. If so, you might not be too happy because you could have to wait and wait.
“While the IRS is exploring options to correct these payments, if you have not received your full payment by the time you file your 2020 tax return, you may claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return,” the IRS said Monday.
You’re not going to be able to call and try to fix things. “The IRS cannot change payment information, including bank account or mailing information,” the IRS said.
The second payments are up to $600 for individuals who qualify; up to $1,200 for a married couple filing a joint return with no children; and an extra $600 for qualifying children ages 16 and younger.
Paper checks: Some checks went out Dec. 30 but the IRS noted on Monday that paper checks “will continue to be sent through January.”
“Mailed payments will require more processing and mailing time,” the IRS said in a news release Monday. “Those who reside abroad will have longer wait times for checks as disruptions to air travel and mail delivery in some countries will slow delivery.”
Plastic debit cards: It is possible that you will receive your second stimulus on a plastic Visa debit card issued by MetaBank. And you might get a debit card even if you received a paper check for the first Economic Impact Payment sent in 2020.
Do not throw out these debit cards.
“The Economic Impact Payment Card will be sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal,” the IRS stated.
The Visa name is on the front of this plastic card. The issuing bank is MetaBank and listed on the back of the card. For more information about these cards, see EIPcard.com.
A limited number of payments are being sent out by debit card.
Not everyone gets the stimulus dough: Some people won’t get any money or they might see a reduced payment, based on their income.
The IRS noted: “Most people who have an adjusted gross income for 2019 of up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns and surviving spouses, will receive the full amount of the second payment.”
(Susan Tompor is the personal finance columnist for the Detroit Free Press. She can be reached at stompor@freepress.com.)
©2021 Detroit Free Press. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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