The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent letters to nine million beneficiaries of this spring’s CARES Act stimulus check, urging them to file for an additional form to claim the payment by October 15. In West Virginia, the agency also mailed 38,201 people to encourage them to check whether they are eligible for the Economic Impact Payment this year.
The non-filers who do not need to file a federal tax return in 2018 and 2020 also need to submit the form for the said relief under the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool on IRS.gov before October 15. People with dependents who missed portions of their payment can also register for a catch-up payment by September 30.
IRS spokesman Luis D. Garcia stated that the letters are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to assure that every eligible citizen receives the payment. The qualified people may also have failed to file for a tax return due to low incomes based on Forms W-1 and 1099 and the other third-party statements available.
Meanwhile, the IRS also warned that receiving the letter is not a guarantee of eligibility. One would be likely eligible for the Economic Impact Pay if a person:
- is a US citizen or a resident alien;
- has a Social Security number that is work-eligible; and
- is not dependent on someone else’s federal income tax return.
- has an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less (single), $112,500 or less (head of household), and $150,000 or less (married filing a joint return); and
- earns more than the above amounts but still earns less than $99,000 per year or less (single), $136,500 per year or less (head of household), and $198,000 per year or less (married filing a joint return).
The IRS developed the Non-Filers tool in partnership with the Free File Alliance to assist the non-filers of taxes, like people earning less than $12,000 or less (single) and $24,000 (married couple). For those who want to apply via the Non-Filers tool, here are the requirements.
- Individuals earning $12,200 or less (single) or $24,400 or less (married couple)
- No income at all
- Homeless citizen
- Unemployed citizen
Each beneficiary can receive up to $1,200, while married couples can receive up to $2,400. Families with qualifying children under 17 years old at the end of 2019 can also get up to $500 for each eligible child. Eligible people can claim the recovery rebate on their 2020 federal income tax return by filling in 2021.
➡ Looking to get featured on Future Sharks?
