PSA: Didn’t Get a Stimulus Payment? You Might Need to Do This

If you didn’t receive a direct deposit tax refund from the federal government, you need to take an extra step to ensure you receive your CARES Act stimulus money electronically.

When the news of the CARES Act and the individual economic impact payments broke, it was emphasized that if people had filed their taxes already, then they would automatically receive the money. That’s true, but there’s a tiny overlooked catch in terms of how that money is delivered.

Many people thought, “I paid my taxes electronically therefore the IRS has my bank information.” Paying the IRS from your bank account via direct debit, however, does not authorize the IRS to store that information or to deposit money into your account.

If you owed money to the federal government even if you paid your tax bill electronically, you still need to visit the IRS portal and give them your bank information. Once you do so, you’ll receive your economic impact payment electronically and skip the long wait for a paper check.