On December 31, 2020, the IRS updated its “Get My Payment” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage to include information about the second economic impact payment, i.e., the advance payment of the recovery rebate credit authorized by the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act (COVIDTRA), which was part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (PL 116-159).
Background. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, PL 116-136) provided for direct payments/rebates to certain individual taxpayers. These were referred to as Economic Impact Payments (“EIP 1”).
COVIDTRA provides a recovery rebate credit payable for eligible individuals (referred to here as “EIP 2”). The recovery rebate credit is $600 per eligible individual ($1,200 for married filing jointly), and $600 per eligible child. The credit phases out starting at $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income ($112,500 for heads of household and $150,000 for married filing jointly) at a rate of $5 per $100 of additional income.
The IRS is authorized to make advance payments of this credit to eligible individuals using their 2019 return information to determine their eligibility for the credit.
The term “eligible individual” does not include any nonresident alien, anyone who qualifies as another person’s dependent, and estates or trusts. It also does not include anyone who doesn’t have a valid Social Security Number.
Updated “Get My Payment” FAQs. The IRS provided the following updates to its “Get My Payment” FAQs:
When will the “Get My Payment” tool give me the status of my EIP 2?
The IRS will relaunch the “Get My Payment” tool soon. When the tool is relaunched, taxpayers will be able to use the “Get My Payment” tool to check the status of both their EIP 1 and EIP 2. As more information becomes available, the IRS will provide updates.
I filed jointly with my spouse. Can either spouse use the “Get My Payment” tool?
Yes. For joint filers, either spouse can use the “Get My Payment” tool by providing their own information to verify their identity. The same payment status will be shown for both spouses.
I am not required to file a tax return. Can I still use the “Get My Payment” tool to check my EIP 2 payment status?
An individual will not be able to use the “Get My Payment” tool to check the status of their EIP 2 payment if:
The taxpayer didn’t file a tax return;
The taxpayer didn’t use the IRS’s Non-Filers tool by November 21, 2020; or
The IRS doesn’t have enough information about the taxpayer to verify their identity, which is required to access the application.
Will the “Get My Payment” tool show me the status of both EIP 1 and EIP 2?
Yes. The “Get My Payment” tool will provide the status of both EIP 1 and EIP 2, and each will be identified accordingly. Status information includes the date and method (direct deposit or mail) of payment.
However, if a taxpayer received their EIP 1 in multiple payments, the “Get My Payment” tool will show only the most recent payment information.
