I received 2 stimulus payments-What do I do?

[AngelaGT]

I had a stimulus payment directly deposited into my account for dh and I about a month ago.

Yesterday, I received a paper check via USPS from the Federal Government for $2400.

Which I assume is a second stimulus payment for dh and I.  No letter or explanation is attached.

What should I do with the paper check as the IRS is closed and not taking phone calls.

I do not intend to cash it or spend it and will probably write VOID on it.

[Slache]

I would hold it. If you were supposed to get it you will find out before it's void but if you destroy it it will take forever to get another.

[J-rap]

I'd maybe call someone in my state department and ask them?  Don't know who though.  Also, good for you for being honest and wanting to do the right thing!

[sassenach]

31 minutes ago, happysmileylady said:

I would first look it over very very closely to be sure it wasn't a scam.

 

Then, I would cash it but hold on to the money.  I wouldn't trust the government to not realize that it hadn't been cashed and still be demanding the money back.  I feel like if they sent me a letter demanding the money back, it would be a lot easier and less hassle to just send them the money back than it would be to try to prove that I never cashed the check.  

This. 

[Pippen]

Double check the amounts to make sure any qualifying children are accounted for.  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-qualifying-child-requirements

If you need to return the check, the IRS has added instructions here:

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#more

[annandatje]

The IRS updated instructions a few days ago for how to return a payment you are not due.  https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center

See question 54 on the webpage.

[Slache]

Only the IRS would overcomplicate a return instead of just letting us shred it.

[Frances]

12 minutes ago, Slache said:

Only the IRS would overcomplicate a return instead of just letting us shred it.

And yet isn’t it amazing that with a decreased workforce they could pivot on a dime and immediately send out payments to so many people, including people who don’t even file taxes? I know they are an east target, but they are constantly being asked to do more with less resources. Can you even imagine how many changes they had to make to everything (forms, computer systems, etc.) after the TCJA? They are still issuing clarifications and guidance on the Corp side of things due to the extreme complexity. I guess the upside for most people is that short staffing means the chances of anyone getting audited are just about nil. 

Edited May 24, 2020 by Frances

[Pippen]

1 minute ago, Frances said:

And yet isn’t it amazing that with a decreased workforce they could pivot on a dime and immediately send out payments to so many people? I know they are an east target, but they are constantly being asked to do more with less resources. Can you even imagine how many changes they had to make to everything (forms, computer systems, etc.) after the TCJA? They are still issuing clarifications and guidance on the Corp side of things due to the extreme complexity. I guess the upside for most people is that short staffing means the chances of anyone getting audited are just about nil. 

They sent a stimulus check to my deceased mother to my address, with my name as her personal rep.

But they still haven't sent her 2018 federal tax refund that was filed in April 2019. It just keeps getting shuffled around to different IRS offices. 🤥

[Slache]

3 minutes ago, Frances said:

And yet isn’t it amazing that with a decreased workforce they could pivot on a dime and immediately send out payments to so many people, including people who don’t even file taxes? I know they are an east target, but they are constantly being asked to do more with less resources. Can you even imagine how many changes they had to make to everything (forms, computer systems, etc.) after the TCJA? They are still issuing clarifications and guidance on the Corp side of things due to the extreme complexity. I guess the upside for most people is that short staffing means the chances of anyone getting audited are just about nil. 

We got audited. 

I have 3 weeks to refile.

[Corraleno]

3 minutes ago, Frances said:

And yet isn’t it amazing that with a decreased workforce they could pivot on a dime and immediately send out payments to so many people? I know they are an east target, but they are constantly being asked to do more with less resources. Can you even imagine how many changes they had to make to everything (forms, computer systems, etc.) after the TCJA? 

Like being told just days before the checks were to start printing that they had to add the president's name to the check....

[Frances]

Just now, Pippen said:

They sent a stimulus check to my deceased mother to my address, with my name as her personal rep.

But they still haven't sent her 2018 federal tax refund that was filed in April 2019. It just keeps getting shuffled around to different IRS offices. 🤥

There’s no denying it’s a large and imperfect bureaucracy. I think sometimes people forget though that they are pretty much at the complete mercy of a Congress, both for funding and implementing, often on very tight timeframes, very complex changes to the tax system. Or in this case, even sending money to people who don’t have to file taxes.

Personally, it took me a few weeks and several tries for the system to allow me to enter direct deposit info, as we always owe. It was a bit frustrating because the message I was getting wasn’t explained in the FAQs. But ultimately I made it just before the deadline and it was deposited last week.

[Frances]

5 minutes ago, Slache said:

We got audited. 

I have 3 weeks to refile.

Is it an audit or an examination? I’ve not heard of refiling due to an audit.

[Frances]

6 minutes ago, Corraleno said:

Like being told just days before the checks were to start printing that they had to add the president's name to the check....

Yeah, important things like that. 😜 Especially since most are getting direct deposit or debit cards.

[Slache]

7 minutes ago, Frances said:

Is it an audit or an examination? I’ve not heard of refiling due to an audit.

I don't know. I've never been through this before. I was notified that I have to refile by the 15th because my original was incorrect. They specified that we filed exemptions incorrectly for a specific company so we know what to fix but we don't have to pay the amendment fee. I'm confused and have reached out to them but it's the apocalypse so no dice.

[Slache]

4 minutes ago, happysmileylady said:

That doesn't sound like an audit.  I have made a mistake on my taxes before and have had to refile.  But......I didn't think that exemptions were a thing anymore?  

Business expenses. Sorry. I'm on medication for the pregnancy that makes me dumb. My husband filed taxes this year. 😶

[AngelaGT]

I always have to pay taxes, because I am self employed.

I wasn't expecting a stimulus reimbursement, because I am not sure that I qualified-just assumed I was not. I never seem to qualify for anything. 

Both my dc are young adults.  My youngest received his with his name on it.  My oldest is in a different state and filed her taxes much later and has not yet received hers.  I assume if her's comes to my address it will also have her name on it.  This one has dh and my name on it.

The direct deposit was labeled as a stimulus payment.

This is just a paper check from the federal government.

I will return it so that I do not find myself in a world of trouble🥺

Thanks for the links!

[Jean in Newcastle]

My young adults did not receive stimulus payments because they are still counted as our dependents on our taxes.  I did share a portion with each of them, though.

[Corraleno]

3 hours ago, angelaguptathomas said:

Yesterday, I received a paper check via USPS from the Federal Government for $2400.

Which I assume is a second stimulus payment for dh and I.  No letter or explanation is attached.

If it's a stimulus payment, in the lower left corner it will say:
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT
PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP

If it doesn't say that, then it's for something else.

[Frances]

1 hour ago, Slache said:

I don't know. I've never been through this before. I was notified that I have to refile by the 15th because my original was incorrect. They specified that we filed exemptions incorrectly for a specific company so we know what to fix but we don't have to pay the amendment fee. I'm confused and have reached out to them but it's the apocalypse so no dice.

Definitely not an audit, maybe not even an examination. It sounds like a computer generated letter based on automatic error checking on the return. Is the fee for a preparer or software company? The IRS doesn’t charge fees for amending a return.

[Slache]

Just now, Frances said:

Definitely not an audit, maybe not even an examination. It sounds like a computer generated letter based on automatic error checking on the return. Is the fee for a preparer or software company? The IRS doesn’t charge fees for amending a return.

No. The letter just said we don't have to pay the amendment fee. I didn't question it.

[Frances]

7 minutes ago, Slache said:

No. The letter just said we don't have to pay the amendment fee. I didn't question it.

That does seem strange as there is most definitely not a fee charged by the IRS for amending a return. Since you know what to fix, I would just go ahead and file the amended return.  I do know the one time we were examined I initially found the letter confusing.

And they did send some of their work force back on Monday, so maybe you would be able to reach someone. But honestly, if you know what to fix, I would just go ahead and do it. 

Edited May 24, 2020 by Frances

[Slache]

3 minutes ago, Frances said:

That does seem strange as there is most definitely not a fee charged by the IRS for amending a return. Since you know what to fix, I would just go ahead and file the amended return.  I do know the one time we were examined I initially found the letter confusing.

I thought it was scammy but TurboTax verified that they were aware of the issue and to amend. I've had a lot of scams come my way lately which is why I said hold the check.

[Frances]

2 minutes ago, Slache said:

I thought it was scammy but TurboTax verified that they were aware of the issue and to amend. I've had a lot of scams come my way lately which is why I said hold the check.

If you’re doing it through Turbo Tax, I don’t think there is a way for you to be take, even in the off chance that it is a scam. If you haven’t already, you might want to try checking online for current IRS scams. I think they and often state AG offices will keep running lists.