Taxable Talk

If you filed your 2018 return but haven’t filed 2019, and you wanted to update your information on the IRS’s “Get My Payment” App, you’ve been frustrated because it hasn’t worked. Last night, the IRS updated the information to include such individuals in the app, and most (but not all) can now enter their banking information for direct deposit of the stimulus checks. It’s worth trying if you (like me) are in that situation. I was able to enter my banking information, so I should receive a direct deposit in the next couple of weeks.

There is one group of taxpayers who will not be able to use the app: Those with $0 balances who filed. If you filed your 2019 return (or 2018 return if you haven’t filed 2019) and the tax due was $0 (neither owing tax nor receiving a refund), the app will not work for you, and you will have to wait for a check in the mail (unless the IRS makes another update to the app).

UPDATE: The IRS updated the app; as of April 24th, the app now works for most 2018 filers. See my new post.

So let’s say your income was low enough in 2018 so you qualify for a Recovery Rebate/Economic Impact (aka stimulus) payment. You go to the IRS’s “Get My Payment” app, enter the information, and see the message:

According to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time.

You want to enter your banking information to get a direct deposit. It turns out that you have two options: Receive a paper check during the next few weeks (to months), or file your 2019 tax return. The IRS added the following message regarding 2018 filers:

2018 Filers: If you need to change your account information or mailing address, file your 2019 taxes electronically as soon as possible. That is the only way to let us know your new information. [emphasis added]

So if you are an individual who will qualify based on 2018 or 2019, file 2019. If you’re an individual who will not qualify based on 2019 but do qualify based on 2018, you cannot enter banking information in the “Get My Payment” app. You’re stuck receiving a paper check sometime (unless the IRS updates the app).

Additionally, if you moved you should contact the IRS when they reopen to provide your new mailing address. I would suggest a phone call given that it will take weeks to months for the IRS to process paper change-of-address forms. I also strongly suggest maintaining a forwarding order with the Postal Service.

I would hope the IRS would change their app so that individuals like me who cannot file for months (I’m waiting on a K-1 that usually shows up in late July or early August) could enter their banking information. Unfortunately, it looks like I’ll get a paper check this summer.

The IRS’s new app, “Get My Payment,” is now active. In theory, if you use this app you can update your banking information and check to see when your Recovery Rebate payment will be made. If you need to add or correct direct deposit information, this is where to do so.

But the app had no information for me. I filed my 2018 return timely (I have not yet filed 2019 as I’m waiting on a K-1), and the app returned, “According to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time.” That doesn’t make sense as we qualify based on 2018.

I suspect the issue is that the IRS is, for now, just going through 2019 returns that have been filed and have not yet looked at 2018 returns. This means that those individuals who filed 2018 but not 2019 are looking at having to go back to this website multiple times and/or waiting on IRS guidance on this issue. (The app did work for someone in our office who filed his 2019 return.)

UPDATE #1: The app doesn’t work for some 2019 filers who filed early. It does work for a few who have filed 2018 but not 2019. There appears to be no rhyme or reason for the errors, nor is there an FAQ on this. Basically, the app is great for those who can use it, but it’s causing more questions than answers.

The IRS needs to explain ASAP who can use the app and get information, or when the app will be complete. A bad app is worse than no app.