Your stimulus check should have come in the mail by now, but you might be wondering how long it will take to get it. The good news is that the IRS has added information about mailed stimulus checks to its website. You can now check the date your payment was mailed by looking up the GMP (Get My Payment) number located at IRS.gov. It takes approximately three to four weeks for a stimulus check to be received. For example, if your check was mailed on January 6, you should receive your payment around February 3.
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Ineligible for a stimulus check?
Ineligible for a stimulus check? If your Social Security number is not in the system, then you are not eligible for a stimulus check. As the stimulus bill outlines, taxpayers with ITIN numbers are excluded from receiving the government’s financial aid. This includes unauthorized immigrants and those who are lawfully in the country. It also includes survivors of domestic violence, Cuban or Haitian immigrants, and spouses of work visa holders.
The IRS has a FAQ page on the economic impact payments. They have updated the information as necessary. Taxpayers who are deceased, incarcerated, or undocumented will not receive a stimulus check. The amount of money each taxpayer receives will be reduced by $5 for every $100 they earn above the threshold. The income levels of individuals and married couples will phase out after that. If you think you might be eligible, you can apply today.
Getting a second or third check
If you are a recipient of Social Security, Railroad retirement, Supplemental Security or Veteran Affairs benefits, you may be eligible to receive a second or third stimulus check. If you provided your banking information to receive your stimulus check, you should have received it by direct deposit. If you didn’t, you may have received it in the form of a paper check or prepaid debit card. If this is the case, follow these steps to get your second or third stimulus check.
To qualify for a second or third stimulus check, file your tax returns for 2019 or 2020. The IRS will use your tax return to determine your eligibility for a second or third stimulus check. As long as you file your tax return by the deadline for your 2020 tax return, you may be eligible for a larger third stimulus check. Keep in mind that the new stimulus plan is targeted to those in lower income brackets. Higher-earning taxpayers may not qualify for a stimulus check.
Direct deposit vs paper checks
The government is sending the stimulus payments to tens of millions of Americans. While the vast majority of these payments are being sent out via direct deposit, some people don’t have bank account details or complete banking information. Hence, they will be sent in the form of a paper check or an EIP debit card. Thankfully, the government is providing some options. Here’s a look at two of these methods.
Paper checks are the most traditional method. But if you are receiving stimulus payments by mail, you can choose to have it deposited directly into your bank account. There are several reasons for this. In the first place, paper checks can get lost in the mail. Paper checks can also get stolen, so keep that in mind. If you want to get your stimulus payments quickly, you should choose direct deposit. You can also opt to use a bank account you already have.
Fraudsters posing as government employees
If you receive a letter or phone call claiming to be from the government, be on the lookout for scams. Many people are duped into giving their credit card information or Social Security number to people posing as government employees. Be sure to report suspicious messages to the federal government or your state consumer protection office. Federal agencies monitor scams and may take legal action against companies who use this technique. Be sure to never give out your credit card or bank account information to anyone over the phone, even if it is an official agency.
Scammers pose as government employees are increasingly using various methods to lure potential victims. They may call or send emails claiming to be from the IRS or Treasury Department, or ask consumers to reconfirm their personal information. Often, they’ll threaten to send fraudulent bills or collect from consumers through stored value cards or money transmissions. Alternatively, fake government websites may be used. These sites will ask consumers to provide their bank account information, and then they will use the information to scam people out of their hard-earned money.
Claiming a stimulus check as part of a tax refund
In the case of the third stimulus check, you can claim the difference between the amount of credit you were supposed to receive and the amount you actually received. The total of the stimulus check is deducted from your 2021 recovery rebate credit. The total amount of your third stimulus check was based on the tax returns you filed in 2018. Therefore, if you didn’t receive a third stimulus check, you can claim the difference between the amount you were supposed to receive and the amount you actually received.
When claiming a stimulus check as part of your tax refund, you need to have your stimulus payment calculated by the IRS. The IRS will send you two documents, one of which details the first stimulus payment and the other one describing the second one. Once the IRS has these documents, it will compute how much credit you are due and whether you are eligible for the stimulus payment. If your requested stimulus funds are not equal to the amount the agency expects, it may delay your tax refund.
