No tax return. How to get the ckeck?

[Hermit]

I have a friend that is on SS Disability. He has not filed a tax return since 2012. He tried to file a simple return this morning, but since he does not owe any money or get a refund, he had no way to put his bank account number in so he could get that $1200 check. To make matters worse, he has no post office box and USPS does not deliver out here. His SSD check does get deposited in his account each month along with a small VA disability check. Any ideas on how to get his name and account number into the IRS system so he could get that check?

 

[REWahoo]

Don't think anything needs to be done. I read somewhere the IRS would, in a situation with SS and no tax returns like this, send the payment to the same account used by SS.

 

[Rianne]

Don't think anything needs to be done. I read somewhere the IRS would, in a situation with SS and no tax returns like this, send the payment to the same account used by SS.

By snail mail? Or direct deposit? We've paid taxes the last 6 years and do not get SS or medicare yet. And we use a pin from IRS to file taxes b/c of Identity theft.

 

[cathy63]

First, it's too early to submit a tax return just to report your bank info. As he found out, the IRS doesn't yet have the infrastructure in place to accept such returns.

Also, if he receives an SSA-1099 form in the mail each year, then he should get the $1200 deposited to the same account where his SSDI goes without having to do anything. The CARES Act directs the IRS to use the information from the SSA-1099 to make the payments for people who don't file tax returns.

If he's actually on SSI instead of SSDI and doesn't get an SSA-1099, then he should watch this page: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Currently it says

However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment. Please do not call the IRS about this. When more specific details become available, we will update this page.

 

[candrew]

Don't think anything needs to be done. I read somewhere the IRS would, in a situation with SS and no tax returns like this, send the payment to the same account used by SS.

Here’s the language from DIVISION A—KEEPING WORKERS PAID AND EMPLOYED, HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS, AND ECONOMIC STABILIZATION: TITLE I—KEEPING AMERICAN WORKERS PAID AND EMPLOYED ACT:

“if the individual has not filed a tax return for such individual’s first taxable year beginning in 2018, use information with respect to such individual for calendar year 2019 provided in— (i) Form SSA–1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, or (ii) Form RRB–1099, Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement.”

It is possible that for those SS beneficiaries who have not filed a tax return, there may be a delay in receiving their payments. Considering that there are more than 20 million SS recipients who do not need to file tax returns each year, we may hear a bit more about this process over the next couple of weeks.

 

[SecondCor521]

I agree that if OP's friend gets an SSA-1099, then the friend should receive a stimulus check.

What is less clear to me is that the friend's stimulus would be DD'ed into their SSDI-related bank account. I would think that bank account information is held by the SSA, not the IRS, and I see no provision in the bill for that information to be transferred.

Yes, it would be reasonable for that information to be shared, and they're both federal agencies. But my opinion is that it would not be shared simply because the agencies would have to address a lot of privacy and technical concerns so rapidly that they won't even try.

I think OP's friend will get a check automatically (again, assuming they receive an SSA-1099).

 

[Hermit]

The IRS Q&A page says they will have a web site up later to enter deposit account info but also says he will need to submit a simple return. Of course, when he tried to do that he was told that it would have to be submitted through the mail because he does not owe anything or get a refund. He does not have a printer so he will have to try to find forms in town. The library has the forms, but is closed. I am out of ink so he will have to wait until an order comes in if they are not at the post office.

 

[Time2re]

Looks like they now have to file a return according to Washington Post.


“The Trump administration is requiring Americans who receive Social Security to file a tax return to receive their $1,200 economic stimulus payment, an added step that is causing confusion and could prevent millions from easy access to relief.”

And AARP no longer providing assistance in filing returns.

 

[Hermit]

I ordered a printer for me and some ink for my son's printer so we should have him set up next week. Who knows how long it will take for his return to get processed. With the tax deadline extended we can hope it will be pretty short.

 

[Bruceski44]

Info from my tax guy:
If someone you know does not file income tax returns (elderly, disabled, etc.), the IRS recommends that they file a simple tax return to receive their check.
For these simple returns, you can attempt to use the IRS’ Free File system here.
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

 

[LOL!]

May I ask the following pointed question? ->

What's the rush to get this check? It doesn't read like this person has lost any income nor had any extra expenses due to anything that has happened recently? Financially, they are still the same as before, right?

 

[Hermit]

May I ask the following pointed question? ->

What's the rush to get this check? It doesn't read like this person has lost any income nor had any extra expenses due to anything that has happened recently? Financially, they are still the same as before, right?

True, but if I lived on his income, I would be in a hurry to get any additional income comming my way!

 

[Aerides]

Here's the full article on WaPo, your friend will need to file a simple return, looks like they are still getting things in order:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/01/bailout-checks-social-security/

But it might be something that gets revised so I'd let your friend know to hold tight until the process is finalized, sounds like it has a lot of room for improvement right now.

 

[cathy63]

Lots of Senators are pushing back against the IRS and SSA for this. I think it's quite likely to change.

 

[gayl]

May I ask the following pointed question? ->

What's the rush to get this check? It doesn't read like this person has lost any income nor had any extra expenses due to anything that has happened recently? Financially, they are still the same as before, right?

+1

 

[candrew]

Info from my tax guy:
If someone you know does not file income tax returns (elderly, disabled, etc.), the IRS recommends that they file a simple tax return to receive their check.
For these simple returns, you can attempt to use the IRS’ Free File system here.
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

Actually, the IRS is actually recommending that SS recipients, like the OP's friend, wait to file a return. I expect that the free file system may not work for these individuals.

From the IRS webpage you provided a link to:

People who are generally or otherwise not required to file should wait, like low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, and some veterans and individuals with disabilities. We will have more information for you soon. Check IRS.gov/coronavirus.

 

[candrew]

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm967

Posted yesterday afternoon on the Treasury Dept. website:

"The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts.

The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits."

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

They changed the rules and your friend will get his money, no extra steps needed.

https://money.yahoo.com/social-secu...-191845224.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=1_02

 

[Hermit]

Thanks, everyone. I sent the links on to him.

 

[Lakewood90712]

May I ask the following pointed question? ->

What's the rush to get this check? It doesn't read like this person has lost any income nor had any extra expenses due to anything that has happened recently? Financially, they are still the same as before, right?

Needs the money to book a cruise .

 

[homestead]

Wonder if the payday loan places are going after folks who are going to get $1200 in a couple weeks? It's my money and I want it now!

 

[SecondCor521]

Wonder if the payday loan places are going after folks who are going to get $1200 in a couple weeks? It's my money and I want it now!

I wonder in turn if payday loan places are considered essential businesses in states (like mine) with shelter-at-home orders.