Where’s My Stimulus Check?! Get My Payment App Let’s You Check Status

*This post may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure

On April 13th, the IRS started sending out Stimulus Payments to American taxpayers.

Related: Second Stimulus Check Proposed ($2,000 a month!!)

They claimed to have sent out over 80 Million direct deposit payments, but many people did NOT get paid, many who qualified and were expecting direct deposit payment.

And there are also millions who will NOT be getting direct deposit, but do they still need to wait for months to get a paper check? Or is there a way to get payments quicker.

This guide will walk through your options, how to see your payment status, and if you can get it quicker (hint: you can!)

I have also included an IRS Stimulus Check Payment Schedule below.

If you’re looking for more details on who qualifies for a stimulus check, how much you will get paid, check out my 2020 Guide To Simulus Checks.

What Is The Stimulus Check Payment Schedule?

The House Ways & Means Committee issued guidance on when payments are being sent out. I took the data and condensed it into a simplified table below with estimate dates below:

As you can see, those who filed their 2018 or 2019 returns and received a tax refund via direct deposit are getting their payments first.

I can confirm this, as we received our payment on April 15th (tax day, LoL), and it was accurate based on our 2018 tax return direct deposit information.

Then those on Social Security Income will start seeing payments around April 23rd (no need to file any tax return).

Then the physical checks will start going out. They will be released in waves, starting with lowest Adjusted Gross Income, to the highest. The last checks *should* be issues in September.

Here’s a table on when the paper checks should be mailed based on details obtained by the Washington Post:

Who Does NOT Get A Direct Deposit Stimulus Payment?

If you’re wondering whether you will be getting a payment via direct deposit or physical check, here’s a quick list of people NOT getting paid via direct deposit:

• If you filed a 2018 or 2019 return and received your tax refund via paper check
• If you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and did NOT get a refund, but had to pay taxes instead (even if you paid with a bank account, you will still be getting a paper check)
• If you receive your Social Security Benefits via paper check
• If you changed bank accounts from the one listed on your 2018 or 2019 return. Your payment will bounce back to the IRS, and they will issue a paper check.

Remember, unless you filed a 2018 or 2019 return and received a tax refund via direct deposit, you will be waiting for a physical check (but there is a shortcut below)

How Do I Track My Stimulus Payment?

Check out my video below walking you through the IRS tools on tracking your payment and updating your info!

The IRS started sending out payments via direct deposit on April 13th, and on April 15th they launched the “Get My Payment” app to help you track your stimulus payment.

It’s a fairly simple tool where you enter some personal info, and the IRS will show you the status of your payment, including WHEN it goes out, and WHERE it is going.

Here’s what they ask for:

• Social Security Number or ITIN
• Date of Birth
• Street Address
• Zip Code

And that’s it. Based on that info, they should be able to pull up your Stimulus Payment info.

For example; We got paid on April 15th, direct deposit to our checking account. Here’s what we saw:

I Am Seeing “Payment Status Not Available.” What Does It Mean?

Many people using the Get My Payment app are seeing the error:

“Payment Status Not Available“

The IRS has an FAQ section to talk about why this may be. Here’s what it says:

• “You are required to file a tax return, but:
  • We haven’t finished processing your 2019 return
  • The application doesn’t yet have your data; we’re working on adding more data to allow more people to use it.
• You don’t usually file a return, and:
  • You used Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here but we haven’t processed your entry yet
  • You receive an SSA or RRB Form 1099 or SSI or VA benefits; information has not been loaded onto our systems yet for people who don’t normally file a tax return.
• You’re not eligible for a payment (see Eligibility).

There are a few reasons you are seeing this error:

1. You Are Not Eligible

If you made too much in 2018/2019, haven’t filed a 2018/2019 return, are claimed as a dependent, or otherwise to NOT quialify, you will see this error.

For more info on qualification for sitmulus payment, see my complete stimulus guide here

If you think you will qualify but haven’t filed a 2018 ro 2019 return yet, DO THIS ASAP!

2. You Entered The Wrong Info

If you didn’t put int the right info, you will see this error.

Maybe you moved and input the wrong address. Or you put in the wrong social security or ITIN. Or maybe you just fat-fingered the form.

Make sure to type in the details EXACTLY as you would have on your 2018 or 2019 return.

3. You Received A “Tax Advance” or “Paid Filing Fee With Refund” using Turbotax or H&R Block

Turbotax and H&R Block offer services to get people their tax refund quicker. This is called a “Tax Refund Advance.” I generally advise against this, as there is a fee involved, and you’re essentially “borrowing money” from these companies for the privelage of getting your money a few weeks quicker.

They also let you “pay filing fee with refund” as well.

Unfortunately, this has also caused an issue with Stimulus Checks.

As many as 21 Million Americans used these services in 2018/2019, and now the IRS does NOT have their correc bank info, because the refund is deposited with the tax return company, not with the end user.

The IRS is “working on a solution” accoring to the Washington Post, so hopefully this is resolved quickly.

Note: I personally like these tax companies, and am using Turbotax for my return this year. They make taxes easy, in my opinion. But opting for services like the “tax refund advance” is NOT a good option. Simply sign up, do your return, pay for the service, and wait for your refund. Using direct deposit takes like 2 weeks. Just wait.

4. The App Doesn’t Have Your Data

Update 4/29/20: The IRS has released an update to the tool, so much of the data that was missing has been added. If you received “Payment Status Not Available” before, try the tool again.

The IRS has added this line;

“The application doesn’t yet have your data; we’re working on adding more data to allow more people to use it.“,

…essentially telling taxpayers “sorry, but we don’t have your data. Check back later.”

With tons of glitches causing delays in payments, the IRS is still adding more taxpayer information, and refreshing the Get My Payment database daily.

I recommend checking the app daily if you are still not seeing the correct information, or if you need to update your account info. You may eventually be able to get in and see what’s going on.

How To I Get My Stimulus Payment Faster?

If you are eligible for a stimulus payment, but you don’t want to wait for a paper check in the mail, there are a few options to GET PAID QUICKER.

The IRS has a new web portal to help those want to speed and track their stimulus payments.

There are 2 sections to this portal:

1. Non-Filers Payment Info Form
2. Get My Payment App

Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here

The Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here form is available. This form is for those who did NOT file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, to provide simple payment info to get your stimulus payment quickly.

According to the IRS, “You should use this application if:

• You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income. Or
• You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons

Information You will Need to Provide

• Full name, current mailing address and an email address
• Date of birth and valid Social Security number
• Bank account number, type and routing number, if you have one
• Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) you received from the IRS earlier this year, if you have one
• Driver’s license or state-issued ID, if you have one
• For each qualifying child: name, Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number and their relationship to you or your spouse

The Get My Payment App

The Get My Payment App is the new IRS tool that allows you to check on your payment status, and update your bank account info to get paid quicker!

According to the IRS, here’s how it works:

“Use the “Get My Payment” application to:

• Check your payment status
• Confirm your payment type: direct deposit or check
• Enter your bank account information for direct deposit (if we don’t have your direct deposit information and we haven’t sent your payment yet)”

“Direct deposit: Use the Get My Payment application to let us know your bank account information if we don’t have your direct deposit information and we haven’t sent your payment.“

“Check payment: If you moved since you last filed, let us know your new mailing address.“

Bottom Line: If you are worried about waiting until mid-summer for your check to arrive, use the Get My Payment App to update your info and get direct deposit set up for faster payment.

I Still Don’t Know Where My Payment Is!

There are still many who have NO IDEA whether they are getting paid, or where the heck their stimulus check is! Here’s a quick checklist if you are currently left in the dark:

• Make sure to read through the IRS FAQ on stimulus payments
• If you aren’t sure which tool to use (Non-filers or Get My Payment), check out the IRS guide on which tool to use.
• If you haven’t filed a 2019 tax return, and your income in 2019 qualifies you for payment, file your 2019 return ASAP! (Turbotax makes it easy, but don’t use the “Tax Refund Advance” option)”
• If you are worried that the IRS doesn’t have your correct bank info, try using the Get My Payment App to get it updated. Keep checking back daily.
• If you are not sure that the IRS has your correct address on file, update it through your 2019 tax return (if not filed yet), or use the USPS change of address tool to get your mail forwarded to your new address.

Best Place To Stach Your Stimulus Cash?

[elementor-template id=”507088″]

Let me know if any questions on this, I will continue adding to this guide as the IRS makes new announcements. I want YOU to get paid!