THE IRS has warned that people have just two days to claim for any missing stimulus check money as part of their tax return to get the cash.
The warning comes after the IRS sent out nine batches of the Covid relief payment with the tax agency sending more than $1.8 billion to hard-hit households.
“It’s an issue that is not as big as some people may think but it’s still an issue.”
“There is a small number of people who have not received their stimulus payments, ” IRS spokesperson Luis Garcia said.
“We ask that they be patient with us and also be persistent in contacting us.”
All of the recipients will have recently filed their taxes, the IRS says.
More than half a million of the latest payments, totaling more than $1 billion, are going to those who didn’t receive a third stimulus check earlier, because the IRS didn’t know how to reach them with cash, the agency said.
This is because it may not have had up-to-date address or banking information and could not put a direct deposit in or were unable to send a paper check or a debit card.
If taxes are done by the May 17 deadline, and the agency will have the information it needs to get you your missing money.
This applies even if you didn’t earn enough in 2020 to warrant filing a tax return.
There are also more than 460,000 of the new payments plus another $800 million in stimulus which are essentially bonus stimulus checks.
Anyone who has not received their stimulus checks or received less than they expected is urged to file a federal tax return as soon as possible.
When filing the tax return people need to file the Recovery Rebate Credit and they will get the money when you get your tax return.
People on social security and don’t normally file a tax return are advised to file one, so the IRS has their information.
“We understand the frustration of the taxpayers and even those who aren’t taxpayers who haven’t filed but are expecting a stimulus payment and have not received it,” Garcia said. “However, we are limited by the resources we have and we just encourage people to be persistent and keep calling the IRS at the 800 number.”
Anyone with queries can call the IRS on 800-829-1040.
Officials said the quickest way to receive the money is by requesting that you get a direct deposit instead of a paper check in the mail.
You can track your refund here.
The efforts to buoy a large amount of the American population comes as Biden is also trying to get both of his $3trillion worth of relief packages through a Democratic majority Congress.
He has proposed the American Jobs Plan, which would modernize American infrastructure, bring forth more affordable housing, and build the capacity for high-speed broadband in rural areas.
The American Families Plan includes cementing child tax credits, allocating more federal dollars to fund education and childcare, and ensure paid family and medical leave.
Previously, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said a fourth round of “direct payments” was dependent on Congress, indicating it could be cut.
“We’ll see what members of Congress propose, but those [payments] are not free,” said Psaki.
Psaki pointed to other ways Biden’s administration is helping to ease the pain of the pandemic’s aftermath.
She called the “historic extension” of the Child Tax Credit allotting families with kids a crucial reprieve by collecting thousands of dollars in write-offs for younger and older kids.
