Millions of Americans are waking up to stimulus checks today ignited by the coronavirus pandemic. But millions more are still waiting. If you’re one of those keeping an eye on your checking account, there may be some ways to track and possibly speed up your check.
The federal government has started making payments to millions of Americans this week under the new stimulus package meant to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The first round landed about 12-hundred dollars via direct deposit for those earning up to 75-thousand dollars. Here’s David Echelbarger, Chair of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.
“And what I understand is they are taking the lower wage earners first, and those are people who have filed a 2018 or 19 tax return and they have their deposit information on file with the IRS.”
But what do you do if you haven’t filed a return in the last two years or you just don’t have information on file due to income or other reasons? How can you speed up the process?
“The best way to speed up the process is first, there’s a new website, “corona virus-get my payment” and you can put in information, and check the status of your check, online.”
Echelbarger says you’ll need to put in information like your social security number, deposit information and the address used on your 2018 or 19 return. You should also update your information with the IRS if you’ve moved recently. But he warns taxpayers should be vigilant against possible scams.
“Phishing attempts or other opportunities where people would put a false website out there. You think you’re going to IRS.GOV and you find out you’re giving someone else your credentials.”
Meantime, Echelbarger says those with an income exceeding 98-thousand for individuals and more than 198-thousand for married couples are not eligible.
If you’re eligible, but didn’t get a direct deposit, paper checks should start going out by the end of April or beginning of May.
