Haven't Received Your Stimulus Check Yet? Here are 6 Possible Reasons Why:

November 9, 2020

While congress debates about sending out a second coronavirus stimulus check, there is still a group of Americans who haven't received their first ones. The good news is, there's still time to act.

Here are some reasons why you might not have received your stimulus check yet — and what you can do about it:

1) You didn't file taxes in 2018 or 2019.

Up to 9 million Americans are still waiting on their stimulus checks because the IRS doesn't have their most recent information. If you weren't required to file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 — and you don't receive some sort of government benefit (social security, VA benefits, disability, etc.) — this could be the case for you.

If so, there's still time for you to fill out a Non-Filer Form on the IRS website to claim your payment. The IRS has pushed back the original deadline until Nov. 21. If you miss the Nov. 21 deadline, the only way to claim your stimulus payment will be to file a federal income tax return — next year.

2) Your check was sent to the wrong address.

Back in May, the government began sending out 5 to 7 million checks (or prepaid debit cards) per week to taxpayers' most recent listed mailing address (in other words, the one on your last tax return). If your return had an old address, you should change your information on file with the IRS by filing a Form 8822. This won't solve your immediate problem, but will help in the future. In the meantime, visit the IRS's official “Get My Payment” portal to check if your payment has been sent. If the portal says your payment was issued but you never received it, follow the IRS's procedures for requesting a payment trace or re-issuing a payment.

3) You make too much money.

According to the IRS, if you make above $99,000/year as a single filer, $136,500/year as head of household, or $198,000/year as a couple, you do not qualify for the stimulus check. Meanwhile if you make above $75,000, $112,500 or $115,000 in those respective categories, you'll still get a payment, but it will be smaller — deducted $5 for each $100 above those thresholds.

4) Someone else claims you as a dependent.

If you’re a child, student or adult who is claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return, you do not qualify for the $1,200 payment. The good news is, whoever claims a dependent could receive an extra $500 — but only for each child under 17 years old. Unfortunately, this $500 does not apply to college students, disabled people or elderly folks who are claimed as dependents. Also, babies born in 2020 do not qualify for the $500 because they won't be claimed on 2019’s taxes.

5) Your refund went to an old bank account.

If you didn’t receive a refund for 2019 (or you haven’t filed yet), the IRS may direct deposit into an old bank account from when you filed your 2018 taxes. If you’ve since closed the account, that Bank should send the money back to the IRS — and in that case, the payment will likely come later through a check in the mail. Like we mentioned earlier, visit the IRS's official “Get My Payment” portal to check if your payment has been sent and the IRS's procedures if your payment went out but you never received it.

6) Your immigration status doesn't meet all the criteria.

If you do not have a Social Security number because you’re a nonresident alien, undocumented immigrant or temporary worker, you’re unfortunately ineligible to receive the stimulus check. However green card, H-1B and H-2A visa holders are eligible. Visit the IRS’s website on eligibility to learn more.

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