Missing Stimulus Payment? Why Many Are Still Waiting for Their Money

• The IRS and Treasury Department began distributing stimulus payments the last week of 2020. Direct Deposits, paper checks and debit cards will be sent out to some Americans throughout January. No action is required by anyone to receive their stimulus payment.
• Some Americans say they are missing their stimulus payment, while others claim their money was deposited into the wrong bank account.
• According to a notice shared with the Identity Theft Resource Center, Turbo Tax recently pointed to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) error that led to millions of stimulus payments sent to the wrong bank accounts. Turbo Tax expects the issue to be resolved within days.
• The IRS says people should visit IRS.gov for the most current information on the second round of Economic Impact Payments rather than calling the agency or their financial institutions or tax software providers.

Many Americans continue to wait for their stimulus payment, approved as part of the second stimulus package passed by Congress in December 2020. Others claim they are missing their stimulus payment because it was deposited into the wrong bank account. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) continues to receive calls and live-chats regarding missing stimulus payments. One person reported to the ITRC that they received a message from Turbo Tax claiming millions of stimulus payments were sent to the wrong bank accounts.

The message goes on to say the IRS expects the issue will be resolved soon, and stimulus payments will be deposited into the correct bank accounts within days. The Detroit Free Press also reports some taxpayers believe their money is going into the wrong bank accounts. Others say checks are being mailed to them when they received a direct deposit during the first round of payments in April 2020.

On January 4, the IRS issued a news release urging people to visit IRS.gov for the most current information on the second round of Economic Impact Payments rather than calling the agency or their financial institutions or tax software providers. The release says the IRS phone advisors do not have additional information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov. 

On January 5, the IRS issued a second news release saying they updated the “Get My Payment” tool with information around the second round of stimulus payments. The Service acknowledged issues and errors with the “Get My Payment” tool, and they encouraged people to check back later. 

On January 8, the IRS acknowledged some payments may have gone into a temporary bank account established when people’s 2019 tax return were filed, and they are taking immediate steps to redirect stimulus payments to the correct account for those affected.  

The ITRC asks consumers to visit IRS.gov and to be patient throughout the process. We will update consumers if new information arises. Anyone concerned about a missing stimulus payment can also contact the ITRC toll-free either by phone (888.400.5530) or via live-chat. All people have to do is go to idtheftcenter.org to get started.

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