Direct payments are coming to Americans after President Donald Trump finally agreed to sign the Congressionally approved $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package.
The payout is usually $ 600 for singles who earn less than $ 75,000 and $ 1,200 for couples who have filed taxes together and earn less than $ 150,000, with those who earn more receiving reduced payments.
Those with qualified children will also receive $ 600 for each qualified child. Dependents aged 17 or over are not entitled to the payment of minors.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday that direct deposits for each eligible man, woman and child have started and paper checks will be mailed as of Wednesday.
As of Friday morning, the IRS ‘Get My Payment’ portal was still offline, but when it goes live, people will be able to check the status of the first and second round stimulus payments in English and Spanish.
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In a note, the IRS reported that the portal “is being updated with new information” and anticipates “that it will be available again in a few days”.
The statement also makes a subtle reference to the battle to more than triple payments to $ 2,000, which Trump pushed. The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted 275-134 to meet Trump’s demand, but the fate of such a move is uncertain in the Republican-controlled Senate when the House meets again on January 3.
“This second round of payments will be distributed automatically, with no action required for eligible individuals. If additional legislation is enacted to provide a higher amount, Economic Impact Payments that have been issued will be completed as soon as possible,” said the IRS statement said.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell blocked an attempted vote to increase payments, but hinted that he could link the increase in direct payments to repealing legislation that protects social media companies from lawsuits.
Included in the $ 900 billion bipartisan account is January 15, 2021, when the IRS and the US Treasury must stop sending checks.
Those who have not received their second full stimulus check by that date will have to claim all or part of the missing amount when filing federal tax returns in 2021.
Meanwhile, Americans awaiting payments by direct deposit or check by mail, have been warned to be wary of fraud.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued guidelines warning people that the government will not ask for any advance payment to receive the money, nor will they call, text or email to request Social Security, bank account or credit card details .
“Anyone who does is a scammer,” he said.