Second stimulus check answers
Second stimulus check answers

Where’s My Second Stimulus Check?

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This content is for the second stimulus check. For information on the first stimulus check, visit our “Where’s My First Stimulus Check? How to Check the Status” blog post. For information on the third stimulus check, please visit our Where’s My Third Stimulus Check?” blog post.

A second stimulus payment is on the way for millions for Americans.

As a part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act recently signed into law, the IRS announced that they have begun issuing a second round of stimulus payments to eligible tax filers.

Here are answers to some of the top questions you may have about the second stimulus checks:

Who is Eligible for the Second Stimulus Check?

If you have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $75,000 ($112,500 Head of Household,  $150,000 married filing jointly), you could be eligible for the full amount of the recovery rebate – $600 for eligible individuals, $1,200 for joint taxpayers, and an additional $600 for each dependent child under 17.

*Note, adjusted gross income (AGI) is your gross income like wages, salaries, or interest minus adjustments for eligible deductions like student loan interest or your IRA deduction. Your AGI can be found on line 8b of your 2019 Form 1040.

As your AGI increases over $75,000 ($150,000 married filing jointly), the stimulus amount will go down. The stimulus check rebate will completely phase out at $87,000 for single filers with no qualifying dependents and $174,000 for those married filing jointly with no dependents. 

The same eligibility rules apply to the second stimulus payment as the first one. You must have a valid Social Security number, and you can’t have been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2019 tax return.

In general, taxpayers without an eligible Social Security number are not eligible for the payment. However, households with different immigration and citizenship statuses will be eligible to receive $600 per individual and $600 per child with Social Security numbers.

You can check and see if you are eligible for the second stimulus payment and how much you’re eligible for using TurboTax Stimulus Check Calculator.

I’m Eligible for a Stimulus Check, How Do I Receive My Payment?

There is nothing you need to do to get a stimulus payment. The IRS has begun issuing stimulus payments using the most recent information they have on file, likely from your 2019 tax return, either by direct deposit or by check.

Taxpayers with direct deposit information on file will receive the payment that way. For those without current direct deposit information on file, they will receive the payment as a check or debit card in the mail. As part of the income tax filing, the IRS receives accurate banking information for all TurboTax filers who receive a tax refund, which the IRS is able to use to deposit stimulus payments. 

The IRS is directing tax filers, who have not received their full payment by the time they file their 2020 tax return, to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on this year’s tax return since these payments are an advance of the Recovery Rebate Credit on the 2020 Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. TurboTax will guide tax filers through the process of claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit so that eligible filers get every dollar they deserve.

When Will I Receive My Stimulus Check? How Do I Track the Status of My Stimulus Check?

According to the IRS, direct deposit payments have begun being distributed. Paper checks and prepaid debit cards for eligible filers who do not have ACH information on file began being mailed starting Wednesday, December 30.   

The IRS is the only source for when and how your stimulus payment will be distributed. You can check the status of both your first and second payments by using the Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish on IRS.gov.

Why Haven’t I Received My Stimulus Payment Yet? 

Unfortunately, because of an IRS error, millions of payments were sent to the wrong accounts and some may not have received their stimulus payment.  

We have been working tirelessly with the Treasury and IRS to get stimulus payments to our customers. We know how important these funds are for so many Americans and we regret that an IRS error caused a delay.

UPDATE – January 8th

We are happy to share that stimulus payments will begin to be deposited on January 8th for millions of our customers affected by the IRS error. We expect most of these payments to be available that day, but banks could take a few business days to process. Payment will be deposited into the same bank account that customers received their 2019 tax refund.

Customers receiving a stimulus payment will receive an email from TurboTax informing them of the deposit. We will have more emails going out in the coming days – so if you did not receive one on January 8th, it could still be coming. 

We appreciate your patience as these payments are processed. This update may not immediately be reflected in the IRS Get My Payment tool.

For more information, visit the “Why Haven’t I Received My Second Stimulus Check?” blog post.

If I’m not required to file a tax return, how do I get a second stimulus check?

Currently, the IRS will use the information it has on file to deliver stimulus checks, including if you registered using the IRS Enter Payment Information tool in 2020. If you are a Social Security retirement or disability income recipient who doesn’t typically file a tax return, you do not need to take any action to get your stimulus payment as it will be automatically calculated based on information from your 2019 Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or RRB-1099 Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement and deposited by the IRS.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you will automatically receive your stimulus payment with no further action needed. The Treasury Department, not the Social Security Administration, will make these automatic payments to SSI recipients. You will generally receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your SSI benefits.

Veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments from VA who don’t usually file a tax return and didn’t file their tax year 2018 or tax year 2019 taxes also don’t need to do anything and will automatically receive their $600 stimulus check.

If none of these apply, you should be able to file a 2020 tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit to get any payments you deserve during the upcoming filing season. 

Will I receive anything for my tax records showing I received a second stimulus payment?

The IRS will issue a letter or form that shows the amount of stimulus you were issued for your records. If you didn’t receive a full stimulus payment and you are eligible to claim more in the form of a Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 taxes you should have the form showing the amount of your payment in front of you when you sit down to file your taxes.

Can I get the second stimulus through my 2020 tax return (the one I file in 2021)?

The second stimulus payments will be advance payments of the recovery rebate credit just like the first stimulus payments under the CARES Act. If you are eligible and do not get a payment or it is less than expected, you may be able to claim it on your 2020 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS is directing tax filers, who have not received their full payment by the time they file their 2020 tax return, to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax return. TurboTax will guide tax filers through the process of claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit so that eligible filers get every dollar they deserve.

Additionally, if you received too much stimulus based on your actual 2020 income you will not have to pay it back through a tax return in the upcoming filing season, just like the first stimulus payment.

Will I Receive My Second Stimulus Payment on a Debit Card?

The IRS may deposit some stimulus payments on debit cards, including the Turbo® Visa® Debit Card, for taxpayers that chose to receive their refund through that method in tax year 2019. If you received your refund on a Turbo® Visa® Debit Card during your most recent tax filing (2019), here is what you need to know.

If you have access to your debit card, there is nothing more you need to do. If the IRS deposits a stimulus payment onto your debit card, you will be able to immediately use the stimulus funds upon deposit.

If you received a notification that you will be receiving your stimulus payment from the IRS on your debit card and no longer have access to it, you can request a replacement card by either signing in to your Turbo Visa Debit Card account or calling 888-285-4169 and reporting your card lost/stolen. We’ll waive or refund standard replacement fees so there’s no cost to you.

We’ve Got You Covered 

You can be confident that TurboTax is here to keep you informed and help you file now. 

TurboTax has COVID-19 specific guidance to help you with impacts that happened this year and through coronavirus relief. TurboTax will ask you upfront if you received a stimulus payment and help you claim the Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax deductions and credits you’re eligible for based on your entries.

If you have questions, you can connect live via one-way video to a TurboTax Live tax expert with an average 12 years of experience and get your tax questions answered. TurboTax Live tax experts are available in English and Spanish, year round and can also review, sign, and file your tax return or you can fully hand over your taxes with TurboTax Live Full Service. All from the comfort of your home.

TurboTax will continue to keep you updated on coronavirus relief as more details and guidance come out. Be sure to check back with the TurboTax Blog and our TurboTax Coronavirus Tax Center for the latest information.

Lisa Greene-Lewis

Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation. Her success is attributed to being able to interpret tax laws and help clients better understand them. She has held positions as a public auditor, controller, and operations manager. Lisa has appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, the Ellen Show, and major news broadcast to break down tax laws and help taxpayers understand what tax laws mean to them. For Lisa, getting timely and accurate information out to taxpayers to help them keep more of their money is paramount. More from Lisa Greene-Lewis

40 responses to “Where’s My Second Stimulus Check?”

  1. Sad that I been using this service and I can’t get my money or the status don’t know if I get a email cause my email account mess up

  2. The problem has been corrected! It appears that they are working on it. Status on IRS website is still saying Not Available- smh- Thanks for correcting the issue. To the rest of the Turbo Tax community you have my prayers- Michelle

  3. I never received the first stimulus check and have yet to receive the second one. How do I find out what the status is on both? All my information on TurboTax is up to date.

  4. I know others with your service that have gotten their stimulus but have not received mine. Can I oh give me an updat?

  5. I don’t know if I could ever use turbo tax again! This was our first time using them and now we are totally screwed on getting this stimulus…. I am beyond frustrated

  6. If this issue isn’t fixed, I’m most definitely taking my business elsewhere due to turbotaxes incompetence. Reroute the money and send to the correct account. Screw the tax credit, give US our second stimulus!

  7. I will be leaving your company after 8 years if you can’t make this right. I have been waiting for a week for money that is sitting in your account.

  8. Sad..I will not use your service again if you cannot resolve or address this stimulus payment issue.

    There is no reason for us to not have received payment without issue just like the first payment as nothing has changed.. address, account.. etc. just the common denominator of TurboTax.

  9. I received a letter from turbo tax that within a couple of days we should see our deposit for stimulus in our accounts. But the website irs states we will not get a deposit and have to claim? What is the truth

  10. My irs transcripts show the money was sent on Jan 4th but I never received because turbo tax ? When will I receive my direct deposit from the irs ?

  11. I am receiving a message payment #2 statues not available
    And I know I am eligible for the payment.
    Will I get direct deposit or have to claim it on my taxes?

  12. I received my first stimulus money with no issues. I have not changed any information. When I go to the Get My Payment Tool, it shows where I received my first payment but states that “we are unable to provide the status of your payment right now” then list below “we don’t have enough information right now (we’re working on this”. I’m confused because nothing has changed, same job, same bank information. Can you provide me with some information as to why there is a holdup?
    Thank you,
    Maryanne Marick

  13. I went to the were is my refund, IRS site and it says there is not enough information ? What’s going on I received the first check no problem???

  14. I received my first payment fine. In the same bank account I’ve had for years. My tax transcript state my stimulus was issued on Jan 4. However the get my refund tool states “not available”.
    I also chose to pay my filing fees from my refund last year.
    All my information is the same. Where is my money?

  15. I file my taxes through y’all. I didn’t have no problems with the first stimulus but now I haven’t received the second yet what’s the deal?

  16. Any news on the issue about the IRS sending payments to a TurboTax holding account instead of to our individual accounts. This is for those of us that chose to pay our filing fees from our 2019 refunds. I received my first payment with no issues and now the IRS site says info not available.

    • Hi Cheryl,

      We know how important these funds are for so many Americans and that everyone is anxious to get their money. We are partnering with the IRS to help taxpayers receive their payments as quickly as possible.

      Ultimately, the IRS is the sole party with the ability to determine eligibility and distribute stimulus payments.

      As part of the income tax filing, the IRS receives accurate banking information for all TurboTax filers who receive a tax refund, which the IRS is able to use to deposit stimulus payments. According to the IRS, “because of the speed at which the IRS issued this second round of payments, some payments may have been sent to an account that may be closed or no longer active. By law, the financial institution must return the payment to the IRS, they cannot hold and issue the payment to an individual when the account is no longer active.” While the IRS is exploring options to correct their issue, they have stated that this may cause a delay in stimulus payments for some.

      You can find the IRS press release acknowledging their issue at this LINK.

      Hope this helps.

      Sincerely,
      Katharina Reekmans

  17. I get the message no update available when I check the irs website for my stimulus, I use turbo tax but use my regular account for my refund, are you all going to fix this issue

  18. Hi I’m getting “Payment status not available “ on mine but I know I’m eligible for it so what does that mean?

  19. A couple of months ago I made a mistake and closed the checking account that I normally use for direct deposit from taxes, and that is where my first stimulus was also direct deposited. Since I did this I was wondering when and how my stimulus will come the second time around

    • Hi Russ,

      If your bank information is invalid or the bank account has been closed, the bank will reject the deposit and the IRS will mail your payment to the most recent address they have on file. Typically, once the payment is mailed, it will take up to 14 days to receive the payment, standard mailing time.

      You will be able to check the status of your stimulus check at the IRS Get My Payment tool.

      Hope this helps.
      Best,
      Katharina Reekmans

    • Hi Jorge,

      By law, unemployment compensation is considered taxable income and must be reported on your income tax return. Any special unemployment compensation authorized by the CARES Act is considered taxable income.

      How much depends on any other taxable income you have. You may also be eligible for additional credits and deductions which can lower your taxable income. TurboTax will ask you simple questions about you and give you the tax deductions and credits you are eligible for based on your entries.

      Hope this helps!
      Thank you,
      Katharina Reekmans

  20. We are married couple and have children ages of 6, 12, 18 and 19 all have been included as dependent in 2019 Tax returns. All children are dependent on us and do not work. Our income as a married couple income is 110000 in total. We can see we are going to receive 1200 USD. We were expecting at least 2400 USD even if adult children are included.
    Is anyone has any idea why We do not receive 600 USD per child under 17?

    • Hi Mohamad,

      The IRS is responsible for determining taxpayer eligibility for receiving a stimulus and, if a taxpayer is eligible, how and when the stimulus payments will be delivered to them. According to the IRS, they will issue payments using the most recent information they have on file, likely from your 2019 tax return.

      If you didn’t receive the correct amount of stimulus payment, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 taxes. TurboTax will guide you through this to make sure you get every dollar you deserve.

      Hope this helps!
      Sincerely,
      Katharina Reekmans

  21. Thanks for this! I’ve been trying to figure out what happens if you had a baby in 2020 – any ideas? Will you be eligible for the dependent payout? If so, how do you go about updating your dependent status with the IRS?

    • Hi Anna,

      The IRS is responsible for determining taxpayer eligibility for receiving a stimulus and, if a taxpayer is eligible, how and when the stimulus payments will be delivered to them. According to the IRS, they will issue payments using the most recent information they have on file, likely from your 2019 tax return. Therefore stimulus payments will likely not include a payment for a child born in 2020.

      If you didn’t receive the correct amount of stimulus payment, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 taxes. TurboTax will guide you through this to make sure you get every dollar you deserve.

      Hope this helps!

      Thanks,
      Katharina Reekmans

  22. My daughter and Hern husband had a baby in September 2020. How can she receive $600 for her child if he wasn’t included as a defendant on her 2019 tax return?

    • Hi Lorna,

      The IRS is responsible for determining taxpayer eligibility for receiving a stimulus and, if a taxpayer is eligible, how and when the stimulus payments will be delivered to them. According to the IRS, they will issue payments using the most recent information they have on file, likely from your 2019 tax return. therefore stimulus payments will likely not include a payment for a child born in 2020.

      If you didn’t receive the correct amount of stimulus payment, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 taxes. TurboTax will guide you through this to make sure you get every dollar you deserve.

      Hope this helps!
      Sincerely,
      Katharina Reekmans

    • Hi Brian,

      For your dependent to qualify to receive an additional economic impact payment, one of the requirements is that they must be under age 17 at the end of the taxable year.

      Hope this helps!

      Thanks,
      Katharina Reekmans

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