- Stimulus payments have already been delivered to 130 million Americans who qualify.
- Some people who file taxes don’t usually get a tax refund and therefore haven’t given the IRS direct-deposit information in the past.
- The IRS is asking these people to use the “Get My Payment” tool to provide bank details by Wednesday, May 13, at noon or they’ll have to wait for a paper check.
- Read more personal finance coverage.
The US government has so far delivered about 130 million stimulus payments to Americans.
Payments for most people are based on the adjusted gross income reported on their latest tax return, either 2018 or 2019.
The quickest way to get paid is through direct deposit, but not all taxpayers had the chance to provide bank details to the IRS in the past. If you file taxes but haven’t been owed a tax refund in the past two years, you probably haven’t included bank information on your tax returns.
IRS has a tool for providing direct-deposit information
In mid-April, the IRS released a new tracker tool so people can see the status of their stimulus payment. It also allows those who haven’t yet provided direct-deposit information via tax returns, Social Security benefits, or the IRS’ new non-filers tool to do so.
If you haven't submitted your bank details yet, you need to do it by noon on Wednesday, May 13, using the "Get My Payment" tool, the IRS said in a Friday news release.
If you don't use direct deposit, you can expect to get a paper check in the mail.
"Starting later this month, the number of paper checks being delivered to taxpayers will sharply increase. For many taxpayers, the last chance to obtain a direct deposit of their Economic Impact Payment rather than receive a paper check is coming soon," the statement reads.
Note that if you already provided bank details on previous tax returns, you won't be able to update it - this tool is just for providing new information. Also, the nonfilers stimulus check tool will remain open for people who don't normally file tax returns to submit direct-deposit information.
Remember that if you receive a call, email, Facebook message, or other communication soliciting your bank information for your stimulus check, it's probably a scam. The government will never ask you to provide or verify personal information over the phone and certainly will not ask for money.
Once the IRS has delivered your stimulus payment, either by direct deposit or mail, you should receive a notice within 15 days at your last known address confirming how and when the money was sent to you.
- Read more on managing your money in this tumultuous time:
- 3 options for people struggling to pay their mortgage during the global health crisis
- 4 reasons to get disability insurance, even if you don't think you need it
- If you've been financially impacted by the coronavirus, you may be able to pause payments on these 8 bills
- How to get a stimulus check from the US government, which could pay up to $1,200 if you qualify
- In response to the coronavirus, credit card issuers like Amex and Capital One are letting customers skip payments without interest and more