IRS (Finally!) Launches Registration Tool For Stimulus Checks

Finally. Taxpayers who don't usually file a tax return have been waiting to see how the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would allow them to get their stimulus checks (Economic Impact Payments). Today, the IRS announced a new web tool to make that happen.

If you've been hearing rumors about TurboTax or other companies implementing portals, that's because the non-filer tool was developed in partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance. According to the IRS, it provides a free and easy option designed for people who don't have a return filing obligation, including those who don't usually make enough money to file a tax return.

Even though the tool was developed in partnership with the Free File Alliance, it is available only on IRS.gov. Users should look for Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here to take them directly to the tool. On the page, you'll see the blue box at the bottom to click:

When you click, you'll go here:

Be sure that you're at IRS.gov when you start. When you get to the FreeFile registration page for non-filers, you should be at this secure URL:

According to the IRS, "Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info" is secure, and the information entered will be safe. The tool is based on Free File Fillable Forms, part of the Free File Alliance's offerings of free products on IRS.gov.

"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," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The IRS and Free File Alliance have been working around the clock to deliver this new tool to help people."

The process is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. The registration tool will ask you to provide basic information, including your Social Security number, name, address, and dependents. The IRS will use this information to confirm eligibility and calculate and send your stimulus check (Economic Impact Payment).

Also, keep in mind that the payment is NOT taxable and will not affect your 2020 refund. If you have other questions, please check out these two articles ( All You Wanted To Know About Those Tax Stimulus Checks But Were Afraid To Ask and Answers To Your Most Commonly Asked Questions About Those Tax Stimulus Checks) which will answer lots of your questions: I've been updating regularly.

Entering bank or financial account information will allow the IRS to deposit your payment directly into your account. Otherwise, your payment will be mailed to you as a paper check (that will slow the receipt of your check).

Yes, if:

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• You haven't filed a 2018 or 2019 return because you are under the normal income limits for filing a tax return. This may include single filers who made under $12,200 and married couples making less than $24,400 in 2019.
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• You receive veterans' disability compensation, pension, or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and you did not file a tax return for the 2018 or 2019 tax years. The IRS has not extended automatic direct deposit to those folks but says they are working on it. In the meantime, the IRS says you can use the tool now or wait until the IRS reviews automatic payment options to simplify delivery for these folks.
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• You are a Social Security, SSDI, and Railroad Retirement beneficiary with qualifying dependents. As noted earlier, you will automatically receive your $1,200 Economic Impact Payment, but if you have qualifying children under age 17, you can use the tool to claim the $500 payment per child.

No, if:

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• You make too much money to receive a payment. See those amounts here.
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• You are a Social Security, SSDI, and Railroad Retirement beneficiary without any qualifying dependents ( you'll automatically get a check).
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• Your direct deposit information is already on file with the IRS.
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• You are a student or other dependent. If someone else claimed you on their tax return, you will not be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment or using the Non-Filer tool.

Wondering when you'll get your check? Checkswill be distributed automatically to most people starting next week (the week of April 12, 2020). Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2018 will receive the payments automatically. As I've previously reported, automatic payments will also go out shortly to those receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits.

The IRS is also building a second new tool expected to be available by April 17. The new tool, Get My Payment, will provide payment updates, including the date your payment is scheduled to be deposited into your bank account or mailed.

Get My Payment will also allow you to provide your bank account information so that you can receive your payment more quickly rather than waiting for a paper check. Unfortunately, this feature will be unavailable if the Economic Impact Payment has already been scheduled for delivery.

Things are happening at a rapid-fire pace these days. As tax updates become available, we'll keep you updated. Keep checking back for details.

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