IRS, Treasury Launch Tool to Help Non-Filers Get Stimulus Checks Faster

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service launched a new web tool on IRS.gov Friday that enables quick registration to receive Economic Impact Payments — also known as Recovery Rebates — faster and was designed to "help millions of people" who don't usually file a tax return, they said.

The non-filer tool, developed as part of a partnership between the IRS and Free File Alliance, provides a free and simple option for those who don't have a tax return filing obligation, including those Americans with too little income to normally file, they said in a joint announcement.

"People who don't have a return filing obligation can use this tool to give us basic information so they can receive their Economic Impact Payments as soon as possible," according to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.

(Webcast on April 16: Stimulus Plan Update: Tax Impact of Early Withdrawals & RMD Waivers)

Economic Impact Payments are a key component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and are intended to help Americans deal with economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus crisis.

The rebates will be distributed automatically to most people starting next week, the IRS and Treasury Department said. Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018 will receive the payments automatically, and automatic payments will also be made "in the near future to those receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits," they said.

To use the tool, users can visit IRS.gov, scroll down, look for a blue box saying "Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here" and click on it. They can then provide basic information including their Social Security number, name, address and dependents. The IRS will then use that information to confirm eligibility, calculate the payment one qualifies for, and send the payment.

Entering bank or financial account information will enable the IRS to deposit one's payment directly into a bank checking account. However, those who have not filed their returns electronically will have to wait for a rebate check to arrive in the mail. That is expected to take considerably longer than the direct payments.

Automatic payments start next week for eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 and chose direct deposit of their refund. Each qualifying person will get up to $1,200 individually or $2,400 for married couples, as well as $500 for each child under 17. Individuals who receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits, SSDI, or who receive Railroad Retirement benefits but did not file a return for 2019 or 2018 will automatically get a payment "in the near future," the IRS and Treasury Department said.

To help everybody check on the status of their payments, the IRS is building a second tool, expected to be available for use by April 17. The "Get My Payment" tool will provide each person with the status of his or her payment, including the date their payment is scheduled to be deposited into their bank account or mailed to them.

An additional feature offered by the Get My Payment tool will give eligible people a chance to provide their bank account information so they can receive their payment more quickly rather than waiting for a paper check. However, that feature will be unavailable if the payment has already been scheduled for delivery, according to the IRS and Treasury Department.

— Check out IRS Extends 60-Day IRA Rollovers to July 15 on ThinkAdvisor.