Direct deposit and your stimulus check: Set up the IRS’ Get My Payment tool

The IRS is already depositing the first wave of coronavirus stimulus payments of up to $1,200 into the bank accounts of tens of millions of eligible US residents. On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said for those who qualify for an economic relief payment but haven’t set up direct deposit with the IRS yet, you still have time to receive your payment straight to your bank account. We’ll show you how to set up the money transfer. The benefit of using electronic funds transfer? You’ll get the payment quicker than you would with a paper check delivered through the US mail.

Secretary Mnuchin added the first paper checks will go out “starting next week.” In theory, the process is simple: You set up direct deposit through the online IRS web portal called Get My Payment by providing some personal information you’ll need to have on hand. We’ll walk you through the steps below, and explain what happens if you get an error message. (And here’s what we know about tracking your IRS stimulus money.)

Note that some people are having trouble tracking their payments and signing up for direct deposit. Here are some of the reasons the Get My Payment tool might not work for you.

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How to set up direct deposit for your stimulus check

To get started with Get My Payment portal, you may need your 2019 tax return if you’ve filed, as well as your 2018 return. Because of high demand on IRS.gov, you may need to wait until it’s your turn to access the tool. If you get an error message, see the next section.

1. Head to the IRS’ Get My Payment page and tap the blue Get My Payment button to set up direct deposit for your economic impact payment. 

2. On the next page about authorized use tap OK.

3. On the Get My Payment page, enter your Social Security number (SSN) or individual tax ID (ITIN), your date of birth, your street address and your ZIP or postal code.

If the IRS has your direct deposit information, you’ll see a page giving you the status of your payment. If it doesn’t and you are eligible for a check, you can enter your bank account’s routing number and account number (scroll down for how to find these numbers) to have the government send your check to your bank account.

What happens if I get an error message or the IRS doesn’t tell me my payment status?

If the screen flashes “status unknown,” “please try again later” or another message whose meaning is unclear, the IRS has a list of message explanations to help you puzzle out your specific situation.

For example, here’s what the IRS says if it can’t supply your payment status:

If the information you enter does not match our records multiple times, you will be locked out of Get My Payment for 24 hours for security reasons. If you are unable to verify your identity, you will not be able to use Get My Payment. No action is needed to contact the IRS.

If you verified your identity and received “Payment Status Not Available,” this means we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time. This may occur for a variety of reasons, for example, if you didn’t file either a 2018 or 2019 tax return or you recently filed and the return has not been fully processed.

Some people who use TurboTax, H&R Block or other popular filing services may have trouble setting up direct deposit, The Washington Post reports. The IRS is reportedly aware of the issues.

What will the IRS need from me to set up direct deposit?

You’ll want to have at hand your bank account’s routing and account numbers. You have several ways to find this banking information.

Banking website: Your bank’s website may show your routing and account numbers. For Bank of America, for example, log into your account, select the account you want to use and then tap the Information & Services tab to see the numbers you need.

Banking app: If your bank has an app, it may show you your account and routing numbers. In the Bank of America’s BofA app, for example, tap the account you want to use and then scroll to the bottom of the app window to see your clearly labeled account and routing numbers.

Printed check: At the bottom of your check you most likely will see three sets of numbers: The first set of nine numbers is your routing number. The second set of 8 to 12 numbers is your account number. The third set — which you don’t use to set up direct deposit — is the check number.

It’s not too late to include your banking information with your tax returns if you haven’t filed yet

The IRS said if you’ve not filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 yet, you should file as soon as you can and include your direct deposit banking information on the return. Here’s what to know about coronavirus and your taxes.

When will the check go out?

Millions of US residents who had set up direct deposit with the IRS have already received their stimulus checks. And those who set up direct deposit through the Get My Payment portal will receive their checks in several days, the IRS said. You can have the government send the money to other payment services, like Cash app or a PayPal account.

While you’re waiting for your check to arrive, here’s how to avoid being scammed. And after you receive it, here are some ideas for how to spend your stimulus check. If you’re still struggling after getting the check, here’s how to get financial help to pay your bills.

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