EDITOR’S NOTE: This stimulus check tracker article was originally published April 15, but the content has been updated for today.
The feverish checking of mailboxes and bank accounts began last Saturday, the date the delivery of US government’s stimulus checks were set to begin. Turns out, there’s an easy way to determine when your stimulus check will arrive – the government’s official stimulus check tracker called Get My Payment. The free app went into effect today.
These economic impact payments, meant to aid Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, are being distributed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agency’s website is also where Get My Payment is located (link below).
Parentology gave the stimulus check tracker a try to see how it worked. We got caught in an endless waiting cycle, something we’d anticipated based on input from other users. Happily, it’s possible to click Exit or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). And yes, questions abound. Get My Payment’s FAQ page has extensive information and resources.
Three of the main questions we zeroed in on:
What Amount Should I Expect?
First things first, Get My Payment has information about who’s eligible for an economic income payment. As for the total to expect, it states:
“Eligible individuals with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for head of household filers and $150,000 for married filing jointly are eligible for the full $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 married filing jointly. In addition, they are eligible for an additional $500 per qualifying child.
For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$112,500/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000, $136,500 for head of household filers and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible and will not receive payments.”
Will my check be direct-deposited?
Per The US Department of the Treasury website, “payments are being automatically issued to eligible 2019 or 2018 federal tax return filers who received a refund using direct deposit.”
Of course, not everyone filed their taxes electronically in 2019 or 2018, so what about them? There are myriad intricacies when it comes to how the IRS determines how and where it’s going to send your money. The site addresses these questions and leads users through ways to resolve issues, such as needing to update bank account or mailing address information.
Payment Status Issues
Getting through to the site, but running into issues like a message reading “Try Again Later” or getting locked out of the system? Per the app:
“In certain cases, the Get My Payment app will be unable to tell you the status of your payment. You may receive this message for one of the following reasons:
- If you are not eligible for a payment (see IRS.gov on who is eligible and who is not eligible)
- If you are required to file a tax return and have not filed in tax year 2018 or 2019.
- If you recently filed your return or provided information through Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info on IRS.gov. Your payment status will be updated when processing is completed.
- If you are an SSA or RRB Form 1099 recipient, SSI or VA benefit recipient – the IRS is working with your agency to issue your payment; your information is not available in this app yet.
Stuck in a spin cycle as we were? Don’t fret, Get My Payment data is updated once a day. So if you didn’t get an answer today, simply try back tomorrow.
Stimulus Check Tracker: Sources
IRS/Get My Payment
IRS/Get My Payment FAQ section
The US Department of the Treasury
CBS News