Sorry, you might have to return your stimulus payment to the IRS. Here’s why and how

Tax season this year gives many people the chance to file for any stimulus money they never got with the first two payments, alongside claiming their tax refunds. However, if you received stimulus money you weren’t actually qualified for, that puts you in a different situation where the IRS may ask you to send it back. We’ll help you understand if this situation applies to you, especially since the third stimulus check could have similar requirements.

Eligibility rules that are finalized in the relief bills are the typical reason people are excluded from receiving stimulus checks. For example, if you made more money during the 2019 tax season (or 2020) than the specified income cutoff for a stimulus payment, the IRS would expect you to return the money. Cases like this happened with the first stimulus check when the IRS accidentally sent out payments to people who weren’t eligible. If you received a check in error, there are specific ways to send the money back, depending on the payment method used — paper check, EIP card or direct deposit.

We’ll let you know some circumstances in which the IRS expects you to return stimulus money that you weren’t eligible for, with details on how to do it. Also, now that the third stimulus checks are getting delivered across the country, educate yourself on all the details — for example, the new check is even more targeted this time, leaving higher earners out, but also more groups of people are qualified to get it. Also, here’s how much money you could get and how to track your payment. This story was updated recently.

What if I get more stimulus money than I qualify for with the third check?

Now that the IRS has sent the first wave of third stimulus checks (and is working on the second), we know the amount you could expect to get is up to $1,400 per person. We also know that the income cutoff to receive a payment at all is $80,000 for an individual taxpayer, $120,000 for a head of household and $160,000 for a married couple that files jointly. If you make more than that amount and still receive a third stimulus payment, the IRS will likely expect you to return the difference. 

However, if you made more in 2020 than you did in 2019, but you get a stimulus check before you file your taxes, you won’t be expected to return that money. You can use our third stimulus check calculator to estimate how much you’ll get.

The IRS wants you to return a stimulus check payment for the following reasons

The government determines who is and isn’t eligible to receive a stimulus check based on several factors. If you fall into any of these categories and received a stimulus check, it was likely by error:

• You received a check for someone who has died — but there’s some nuance here (more below).
• You don’t have a Social Security number.
• You’re considered a “nonresident alien” without a US citizen spouse. 
• You’re a noncitizen who files federal taxes.
• Your adjusted gross income exceeds the limit; for example, $87,000 for a single taxpayer with the second check.
• You’re claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes (this applies to the first and second checks).

Here’s more information about who didn’t qualify for the $600 stimulus check.

If I received stimulus money for someone in my household who’s died, can I keep it?

If you received a payment for someone who died in 2019 or earlier, the IRS says you should return the entire payment “unless it was made to joint filers and one spouse is still living.” If you’re the living spouse, you should return half the payment — just not more than $1,200 in all. 

However, if the check is issued in both your name and your deceased spouse’s name (and therefore you can’t deposit the money), you’ll need to return the whole amount to the IRS. After the agency processes the returned payment, it will issue a new check with the correct amount for you.

For the third check, it depends on which tax return the IRS uses. If it uses your 2019 tax return, you’ll likely get to keep the amount you received for the person who has died.

If you’ve already cashed or deposited the stimulus money, here’s how you can return it

If you’ve already cashed or deposited your check, here’s what to do.

1. Use a personal check or money order and make the check payable to the US Treasury. You’ll also need to write “2020 EIP” and include the taxpayer identification number or Social Security number of the person whose name is on the check. 

2. On a separate piece of paper, let the IRS know why you’re sending the check back.

3. Mail the check to the appropriate IRS location — that depends on which state you live in.

If you never cashed or deposited the paper check, here’s what to do to return the payment

If any of the above situations pertain to you, you may need to send your stimulus check back. Here’s how to do it for each scenario, per the IRS.

1. Write “VOID” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.

2. Do not bend, paper clip or staple the check.

3. On a separate piece of paper, let the IRS know why you’re sending the check back.

4. Mail the check to the appropriate IRS location — it varies depending on which state you live in.

Didn’t received any stimulus check money at all? What you need to know

If you’re among the more than 100 million people who were eligible to receive the second $600 stimulus check and it never arrived, you’ll likely need to claim it as a Recovery Credit Rebate on your 2020 taxes, even if you don’t usually file taxes. Alternatively, you may have to start an IRS payment trace.

If you aren’t signed up for direct deposit with the IRS, now’s a good time, as a third stimulus check could now be on its way to you. To do so, you’ll need to add your banking information when you file your 2020 taxes this year. The new deadline to file is May 17, but you can file an extension past that date, too.

To stay updated on the latest stimulus check news, here’s when you could get your third payment. If you’re having stimulus check problems, do this instead of calling the IRS. Also, here’s what to know about the third stimulus payment.

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