IF YOU accidentally received a stimulus check for a dead person, you’re required to send that money back to the IRS.
Millions of Americans have received the third round of stimulus checks this month as part of the $1.9trillion American Relief Act, but some may have accidentally received an extra check for a deceased person.
The IRS warns that any checks received for family members or others who died before January 1, 2021, must be returned to the agency.
The $1,400 checks were sent out to those who may have passed away before the new year, therefore rendering the checks illegally sent out.
That’s because the stimulus checks are meant to be an advanced credit for your 2021 tax return.
Some widows and widowers may have received the extra checks because they filed a joint tax return in 2020.
The IRS asks the surviving spouse to return the additional payment, saying the spouse should have only received a payment of $1,400 if they qualify, plus any dependents.
If the payment was a paper check, you should write “void” in the endorsement area and write a letter explaining why you’re returning it.
The IRS would then issue a payment for the correct amount.
If the payment was received through a direct deposit, then you would need to send the IRS a check or money order to pay back the additional amount.
