Stimulus check: tens of thousands of Americans sent two payments by mistake

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration have released a report saying that tens of thousands of Americans were sent more than one stimulus check by accident. The first stimulus check was sent out in March and while millions wait for their first payment to reach their bank accounts or mailbox, many more have been sent two checks by mistake.

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The report says that 98% of stimulus checks sent out were accurate but that leaves millions of checks that were sent out erroneously. As of June, the IRS had send out 157 million checks and 3 million of those will have to be returned.

According to the report, 46,760 US citizens received two payments by accident as of May; that could be an error in excess of $69 million. The IRS is asking people to return the payments and it is unclear what happens if they are not returned. This includes people who filed for a check as a married person but were also sent one as an individual and other administration mistakes.

There was over $1.4 billion sent to dead people. Another 300,000+ were sent to people who are not residents in the US, one of the key requirements to getting a check.

Second check remains up in the air

The debate continues over whether to send another stimulus check to Americans as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the economy and lives of millions of citizens. The Democrats have proposed a generous new bill, called the HEROES Act, but the Republicans are reluctant to accept it and pass it in the senate.

Mitch McConnell says a limit will be put in place that is much lower than the first one. He says people making less $40,000 will be considered while the first check saw people who make $75,000 and under receieve a check.