Social Security and other federal beneficiaries who do not normally file tax returns can expect their $1,400 stimulus payments to be issued this weekend, the IRS and Treasury Department said on Tuesday.
The majority of the payments will be sent electronically and received on April 7, the government agencies said.
The news comes after the Social Security Administration last week sent payment information to the IRS for an estimated 30 million people. The IRS is now in the process of validating those records and verifying the payments are made for the correct amount and to recipients who are eligible for the money.
The update applies to people who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income or Railroad Retirement benefits who have not submitted either 2019 or 2020 tax returns, and who did not use the IRS’ non-filer tool last year.
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Once that process is complete, the IRS expects to process the payments at the end of the week, according to the agency.
The majority of those payments will be sent electronically and received on April 7, either through direct deposits or payments to Direct Express cards.
The IRS is still reviewing data for Veterans Affairs beneficiaries. A payment date for when those people will receive their stimulus checks will be announced soon, the agency said. VA beneficiaries who do not typically file tax returns could have their stimulus checks disbursed by mid April, the IRS estimates.
Many federal beneficiaries who filed either 2019 or 2020 tax returns have received their $1,400 payments, according to the agencies. That also goes for those who submitted their information to the IRS’ non-filer tool last year.
Most federal beneficiaries will receive their stimulus checks automatically and do not need to take action. They will generally receive their $1,400 checks the same way they receive their benefit payments.
However, the IRS urges federal beneficiaries who have dependents who also qualify for stimulus money to file a 2020 tax return in order for those additional payments to be counted.
The agency also urges people who do not receive federal benefits and who typically do not file tax returns to submit a 2020 return in order to get their stimulus payment. That includes people who are homeless or who live in rural areas.
Filing a 2020 tax return can also let people claim a recovery rebate credit if they missed out on the previous $1,200 or $600 stimulus checks.
The IRS offers free filing options for those who earn $72,000 or less. In addition, there are free electronic forms available for those who have incomes above $72,000.
People can visit the IRS’ Get My Payment website to check on the status of their stimulus check.
