Stimulus Checks for Non-Tax Filers

Stimulus checks are given out to taxpaying citizens as a way to boost the economy in difficult times. As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, stimulus checks under the CARES act now allow for citizens to receive payment through direct deposit. In this article, we’ve provided a brief description of how to receive a stimulus check through direct deposit.

Usually, stimulus checks are mailed either as paper checks or prepaid debit cards, but recently as a result of the pandemic, the payments are being sent out as direct deposit to those whose bank details are present in the system.

If you didn’t file taxes in 2018 and 2019 including your direct deposit information and don’t receive federal benefits payments, then you will have to submit your bank details to the IRS yourself. You can take the following steps to receive your stimulus check through direct deposit successfully:

Step 1

Ensure you are eligible to receive the stimulus check. You are most likely eligible if you are a U.S citizen, a permanent resident or a qualifying resident who has a valid Social Security Number, is not a dependent adult, and has an adjusted gross income below the set limits.

Step 2

File a tax return if you can, or submit your information to IRS. You should submit your information to IRS only if you did not file a federal income tax return in 2019 or 2018 and have no plans of filing as a result of low or no income.

To submit your information to IRS as a non-filer, visit the IRS portal here and take the following steps:

• Open an account on the website using your phone number and email address to get an ID and password.
• On the next screen, put in your filing status, which could either be single or jointly as a married couple, along with your personal information.
• Ensure that you and your spouse (if you’re filing as a married couple) have a valid SSN unless your spouse is a member of the military. You should also have a valid SSN for or Adoption Taxpayer Identification for each child or dependent you wish to claim for the stimulus check.
• Next, check the box provided if you or your spouse can be claimed as a dependent by anyone.
• Afterwards, you will be directed to the next page to verify yourself by inputting personal information. Ensure you follow the instructions in this step. The information you will need to input are:
  • Full name, date of birth, mailing address and email address
  • A valid SSN
  • Bank information: account number, account type, routing number
  • The Identity Protection PIN you should have received from the IRS earlier. If you lost yours, you have to retrieve yours. You can do that through this link.
  • A valid ID (state-issued ID or Driver’s license) if you have one. If you don’t, you can leave the space blank.
  • SSN or Adoption Taxpayer ID Number for each dependent you’re claiming, along with their relationship to you or your spouse.

After filling in your information, you will receive a confirmation email to let you know if it’s successful or if there’s an issue with the details you provided. The IRS will then compute your information and send you a payment.

Note than those who filed their tax returns without their bank details will automatically receive their stimulus checks, but not through direct deposit. The same goes for those receiving specific benefits through other means apart from bank deposit. Such people will automatically get their stimulus checks through the same means they receive their federal benefits.

The process for receiving a stimulus check through direct deposit is pretty straight forward. Once you’re sure of your eligibility and know you have neither provided your bank details through your tax returns or federal benefits, then you have to visit the IRS website to fill in your information.

Currently, the deadline for submission of information for non-filers is November 21. Ensure you submit your information before the deadline or else you may receive your stimulus check through the other methods.