The IRS sent almost 1.1 million stimulus checks – totaling about $ 1.4 billion – for dead people. And that only until April. When stimulus checks were approved in late March, the tax agency worked hard to get payments out as quickly as possible. Well, the rush wastes. By focusing so much on speed, the IRS left some holes open … like sending checks to dead people.
People who receive checks from relatives who are no longer with us are scratching their heads wondering what they should do with the money. Keep it? Deposit into a real estate account? Send it back? Donate to charity? Anything else? Fortunately, the IRS has specific guidelines on what to do if you receive a stimulus check for a deceased person.
Who needs to return a stimulus payment
The IRS says that a stimulus payment made to someone who died before receiving it must be returned to the government. All payment must be returned, unless it has been made on behalf of joint brokers and one of the spouses is still alive. In that case, you only need to return the part of the payment made on behalf of the deceased person. This amount will be $ 1,200, unless your combined adjusted gross income exceeds $ 150,000.
If you received a paper check and did not cash it
If you received a paper stimulus check and did not cash it out, follow these steps:
- Write “Null” in the endorsement section on the back of the check;
- Send the canceled check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below;
- Do not staple, fold, or clip the check; and
- Include a note explaining why the check was returned.
Discounted paper checks and direct deposit payments
If the payment was by paper check and you cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit, follow these steps:
- Send a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below;
- Make the check / money order payable to the “US Treasury”;
- Write “2020EIP” and the deceased person’s taxpayer identification number (social security number or individual taxpayer identification number) on the check or money order; and
- Include a brief explanation of why the payment was returned.
Where to send the returned payment
Here are the IRS mailing addresses to use to return stimulus check payments.
| If you live in … | Mail to this address |
|---|---|
| Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont | Andover Refund Consultation Unit 1310 Lowell St. Mail Stop 666A Andover, MA 01810 |
| Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia | Atlanta Refund Consultation Unit 4800 Buford Hwy. Mail Stop 112 Chamblee, GA 30341 |
| Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas | Austin Refund Inquiry Unit 3651 S Interregional Hwy. 35 Mail Stop 6542 Austin, TX 78741 |
| New York | Brookhaven Refund Inquiry Unit 5000 Corporate Ct. Mail Stop 547 Holtsville, NY 11742 |
| Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming | Fresno Refund Inquiry Unit 5045 E Butler Ave. Mail Stop B2007 Fresno, CA 93888 |
| Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia | Kansas City Refund Consultation Unit 333 W Pershing Rd. Mail Stop 6800, N-2 Kansas City, MO 64108 |
| Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee | Memphis Refund Inquiry Unit 5333 Getwell Rd. Mail Stop 8422 Memphis, TN 38118 |
| District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island | Philadelphia Refund Consultation Unit 2970 Market St. DP 3-L08-151 Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
| A foreign country, possession or US territory, or using an APO or FPO address, or filling out Form 2555 or 4563, or is a dual status alien | Austin Refund Inquiry Unit 3651 S Interregional Hwy. 35 Mail Stop 6542 AUSC Austin, TX 78741 |