IRS extending deadline to register for a stimulus check

If you haven’t yet received your economic stimulus check, you now have until Nov. 21, 2020 to register for the payment.

The Internal Revenue Service announced that it extended the deadline to register for the Economic Impact Payment by an additional five weeks beyond the original deadline. Most eligible taxpayers automatically received the payment, which was up to $1,200 for individuals (or $2,400 for married couples) and up to $500 for each qualifying child.

However, for people who don’t typically file a tax return because their income is too low and who have not yet received the stimulus check, the IRS has a non-filer tool available to access the money. These outstanding stimulus payments could be essential to low-income Americans who may be struggling to pay rent and bills in an economy that’s been battered by the coronavirus.

This non-filers tool is designed for those whose income is typically below $24,400 for married couples and $12,200 for individuals. The availability to register for the stimulus payment will not be available after the Nov. 21, 2020 deadline.

The extension comes as Congress considers new legislation that could include a second round of stimulus checks similar to the ones that were authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in March. The new bill is referred to as the updated HEROES Act, which stands for Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, and, in addition to a second round of stimulus payments, it would bring back the $600 in extra weekly jobless benefits that expired in July.

“We took this step to provide more time for those who have not yet received a payment to register to get their money, including those in low-income and underserved communities,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. “The IRS is deeply involved in processing and programming that overlaps filing seasons.”

Anyone using the non-filers tool can speed up the arrival of their payment by choosing to receive it by direct deposit. Otherwise, they will receive a check in the mail.

The non-filers portal has been available since the spring and has been used by millions of Americans, according to the IRS. While the government doesn’t have a firm number on how many Americans haven’t received their stimulus checks, the IRS sent nearly 9 million letters in September to people who may be eligible for the $1,200 Economic Impact Payments and who don’t normally file a tax return.

Beginning two weeks after they register, people can track the status of their payment using the “Get My Payment” tool, available only on IRS.gov.