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Stimulus check: what to do if my payment has not arrived

Over 100 million Americans have been sent IRS Economic Impact Payments to help them cope with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic but there have been issues.

Buscan al ganador de un ticket de lotería de $17 millones de dólares en Texas
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been sending out out $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to millions of eligible Americans since April in a bid to help them cope with the financial effects of the coronavirus crisis. As of 11 May, over $200 billion had been paid out in more than 100 million stimulus checks as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The Internal Revenue Service advised eligible taxpayers that they had until noon on Wednesday 13 May to submit their direct deposit information via the agency’s “Get My Payment” tool to start the process for their payment and avoid having the money sent by mail as a paper check potentially arriving in late May or early June.

My payment has not arrived yet

As stated above, the paper checks are likely to arrive over the coming weeks. But there may be a number of reasons why your direct deposit has not yet arrived in your account, with the following being the most probable.

No bank information held by IRS

With over 10 million American citizens not having a bank account this is a possible motive for no Economic Impact Payment and may see payment arriving via paper check in the mail.

Illegibility issues due to income

If a claimants adjusted gross income is greater than $99,000 or if your filing status was single or married filing separately or $136,500 for head of household or $198,000 if your filing status was married filing jointly, then you are not entitled to receive the stimulus payment.

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, 14 May 2020.
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US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, 14 May 2020.SAUL LOEBAFP

Immigration issues

US citizens are eligible for the stimulus check payments with “legal permanent residents,” also known as green-card holders also entitled to receive the payment. Outstanding paperwork with the Department of Immigration may be a factor in the check yet to arrive. 

Debt issues

Despite debt-collection agencies claiming to be lenient given the difficult financial climate posted by the Covid-19 pandemic, collectors may not be aware that the funds in a positive account have been sourced by the IRS payments. 

If you still have further questions on this you may well be keen to contact the IRS. Before you do, please read the following: What are the IRS contact numbers?

See also:

  • Stimulus check: when will a decision be made on second payment? - read
  • US stimulus check: what to do if I receive IRS money by mistake - read
  • How to track status with Get My Payment IRS portal - read
  • Summary of proposals for a second stimulus check - read

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