Millions of American citizens are still waiting to receive their economic stimulus payment from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). There can be many reasons that may cause a delay, so it's best to get informed about each case. In this regard, the IRS has explained how you can check the status of a payment and when you'll see the money deposited.
In the middle of the distribution phase, the IRS aims to ensure no one is left out of this process. For this reason, they've strengthened their digital tool to provide clear answers. Meanwhile, they've issued a notice to many: there are cases in which you can still add banking information.
What is "Get My Payment" and how does it work?
The "Get My Payment" tool is available on the IRS website. It serves to find out if your check has been processed or is still pending. Additionally, it allows you to add direct deposit information if it wasn't previously registered.
To access it, you need several key pieces of information. The Social Security number, your date of birth, and the mailing address used in your last tax return. It can also be useful to have a copy of your most recent account statement.
With that information, the system will be able to indicate the current status of your stimulus. Depending on your situation, it may show you one of three messages. Each of them has a specific meaning regarding your payment.
The three possible statuses of IRS payments
If the payment has already been processed, the message "Payment Status" will appear. There you'll see the exact date of the deposit or the mailing of the check. If it hasn't been issued yet, it will show that the payment status is not available.
There's another message that implies an extra step. If you see "Need More Information," it means your check was returned. The postal office couldn't deliver it and you must update your information.
The IRS has already sent more than 127 million payments. The total amount exceeds $325 billion in stimulus. But there are still pending payments that will arrive in the coming months.
Key dates and what to expect in 2025
Payments will continue to be delivered during the remainder of the first half of the year. If the process doesn't finish before July, it could extend until September. The IRS itself has confirmed this through the Department of the Treasury.
Payments vary according to personal situation. Up to $1,400 are delivered per person and $2,800 per couple. Additionally, $1,400 extra are added for each registered dependent.
If you still haven't received yours, check your information in the tool. If you need to modify your information, do it as soon as possible. You're still in time to collect what you're entitled to.