JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Many people have called the News4Jax newsroom, saying they still haven’t received their second COVID-19 stimulus check from the federal government.
By law, the IRS has until Friday to get out the cash, either by direct deposit or check. The payment will either come as a check or debit card, so watch your mail carefully and make sure not to throw it away!
The IRS says they mailed 8 million second economic impact payments by prepaid debit card this time around.
If you do not receive a check, card or deposit by the end of the month, you’ll want to file for the money in your taxes.
The IRS recommends using the Get My Payment tool to check the status of your payment first. They say if:
- If it shows a date your payment was mailed, it may take up to 3 – 4 weeks. Watch your mail carefully for a check or debit card.
- If it shows “Payment Status #2 – Not Available,” then you will not receive a second payment and instead you need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 Tax Return.
The IRS also says if your payment went to a closed account or sent to an address that you no longer live at, you’re going to want to file for that money on your 2020 tax return.
To file for the rebate credit, you’ll need a 1040 form. If you use a tax filing agency, they’ll also have it available. Go to line 30 -- that is the Recovery Rebate Credit. That’s where you will file for money owed to you, and if you have any dependents, file here as well.
This form is not just for the $600 stimulus payments. If you did not receive your $1,200 payments in March, you will fill this out as well.
Some people might be among the 13 million whose stimulus payments were deposited to the wrong bank account, according to Jackson Hewitt.
Companies like TurboTax, H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt sometimes set up temporary accounts for clients when they prepare returns. While those accounts go inactive after the taxes are filed and everybody gets their money, the account is still sometimes linked to the Department of the Treasury. That’s why people’s refunds have gone to unrecognizable accounts.
Depending on which tax filing agency you use, there are different ways the money will get to you.
- H&R Block said it has already processed direct deposits into accounts, or people will receive a prepaid debit card.
- TurboTax said the company was working with the IRS to help taxpayers receive their payments as soon as possible.
- Jackson Hewitt suggested on its website that customers consider taking the rebate on their 2020 taxes.