global Tax
Attention Non-filers: You May Qualify for an Economic Impact Payment
September 21, 2020Affected individuals are urged to register by October 15 in order to receive their payment by the end of 2020. Learn more here.
Have you received an economic impact payment? If not, you might have another chance to claim one. Later this month, the Internal Revenue Service will start mailing letters to roughly nine million Americans who don’t typically file federal income tax returns but may be eligible for an economic impact payment. Here are the details.
Which non-filers might qualify?
People who have not filed a return for either 2018 or 2019 may be eligible. These individuals typically don’t have a tax filing requirement because they have low incomes (based on Forms W-2, 1099s and other third party statements available to the IRS).
Many of these individuals are still eligible to receive an economic impact payment.
What’s inside the letter?
The letters (known as IRS Notice 1444-A) will instruct recipients to register at IRS.gov by October 15, 2020 in order to receive their economic impact payment by the end of 2020. As we’ve covered in previous blogs, the payments are up to $1,200 for individuals and up to $2,400 for married couples. Those with qualifying children under 17 (by the end of 2019) can get an additional $500 for each qualifying child.
Is receiving a letter a guarantee of eligibility?
No. An individual is likely eligible if he or she is a U.S. citizen or resident alien; has a work-eligible Social Security number; and can't be claimed as dependent on someone else's federal income tax return. For more information on eligibility requirements, recipients should read the Economic Impact Payment eligibility FAQs on IRS.gov.
What’s the deadline?
October 15th is the last day for non-filers to register to claim an Economic Impact Payment through the Non-Filers tool. People can also wait until next year and claim it as a credit on their 2020 federal income tax return by filing in 2021.
The IRS emphasizes that anyone required to file either a 2018 or 2019 tax return should file the tax return and not use the Non-Filers tool.
Beginning two weeks after they register, people can track the status of their payment using the Get My Payment tool, available only on IRS.gov.
Watch out for scams
As always, the IRS urges everyone to be on the lookout for scams, especially those related to the Economic Impact Payments. In particular, watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to these payments. Remember, the IRS will never send unsolicited electronic communications.
Questions? Contact us.
