IRS website may offer help for stimulus payment problems

Multiple media reports say many citizens have encountered difficulties receiving their COVID-19 economic stimulus payments.

Some didn’t receive their stimulus money Wednesday as expected, or the wrong amount was deposited or parents with dependent children didn’t receive $500 as promised.

Other reports say people are having trouble with the Get My Payment tool on the IRS website. The tool reportedly is telling citizens the information they input does not match what’s on file with the IRS.

So what should citizens do if they encounter one of these or other problems?

Edwin Cato, of Riley, Stubbs & Cato LLC, a certified public accounting firm in Dexter, provided some basic information you should know before contacting the IRS.

“I personally haven’t had anyone have any problems,” Cato said. “A couple have been wondering when they will get it. I refer them to the IRS website. I would tell them that if you used direct deposit on your tax returns, they will go out first. If you received a refund by check, that will take longer.”

Cato offered this advice if you don’t receive the amount you expected.

“It’s important to know that these payments are an advance on a credit being computed on your 2020 return,” Cato said. “If you don’t get the entire payment, they will be able to recoup it at tax time.”

What do you do in the meantime?

If you are expecting a payment, click on Get My Payment at irs.gov and make sure it has the correct bank information. Contact the IRS through its website to report any issues.

According to the IRS website, if you don’t see your payment credited to your account, check with your bank to see if it received the money. The IRS will mail you a letter with additional information on this payment. If you need additional help or do not receive your payment, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Get My Payment tool allows the change of direct deposit in certain circumstances.

It cannot update direct deposit bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery, according to the website. To help protect against potential fraud, the tool does not allow people to change direct deposit bank account information already on file with the IRS.

People who did not use direct deposit to receive a refund on their last tax return or whose direct deposit information was inaccurate resulting in a refund check will be able to provide that information and speed their payment with a deposit into their bank account.

Your bank account information for your economic impact payment is usually acquired from the most recently filed tax return if you received a refund by direct deposit in 2018 or 2019 or if you provided the bank information on our Get My Payment application or if you had to use the Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here tool.

If a bank account is closed, the bank will reject the deposit and you will be issued your payment to the address the IRS has on file for you, according to the IRS. If your Get My Payment application indicates your payment has been processed, you cannot change your bank account information.

Get My Payment will not allow you to change your address. Here’s how to do so, according to irs.gov:

If you have not filed your 2019 tax return, enter your new address on your return when you file. The IRS updates its records when your return is processed. File electronically to ensure your return will be processed more quickly.

If you have filed your 2019 tax return and you did not receive a refund through direct deposit, your payment will be mailed to the address the IRS has on file for you. This is generally the address on your most recent return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS).