The IRS is using its Non-Filers Tool to ensure that people who do not usually submit a tax return receive their stimulus payment, with deadlines approaching on Sept. 30 and Nov. 21. The Non-Filers Tool is an option for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles, including couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
Non-filers with children who did not receive a payment of $500 per qualifying child have until Sept. 30 to provide the necessary information via the Non-Filers Tool. The payments will be made by mid-October, the IRS estimates.
Non-filers who did not receive their baseline stimulus payment of $1200 have until Nov. 21 to submit their information at the same web address, according to a news release from the agency.
Many received their stimulus payment earlier in the year, but for people who do not usually file tax returns, the IRS may not have enough information to determine if they’re eligible. Around Sept. 24, the IRS will start mailing letters to the last known address of roughly 9 million non-filers who may be eligible for a stimulus payment. To address fraud concerns, a copy of the letter can be found on their website.
Eligible people to use this tool include anyone with qualifying children who receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement benefits, or Veterans Affairs Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefits who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019.
If eligible non-filers miss these deadlines, they will not be able to receive these payments until they file a tax return in 2021. The “economic impact payments” are tax credits that have been made available in advance.
Families and individuals who are eligible to receive special tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, cannot use the Non-Filers Tool and will instead need to file a regular return by using IRS Free File or by another method within the same Sept. 30 and Nov. 21 deadlines.
Update (10.13.2020)
The IRS has updated the deadline for using the Non-Filers Tool to Nov. 21. The text and headline of this article has been changed to reflect this new date.
