I’ve discussed the economic stimulus payments, but there’s a vagary that many not realize.  And, the deadline is Wednesday- at noon (no idea if that is EDT or PDT).

Those who receive Social Security- be it survivor or disability- and Railroad Retirement benefits- are going to get their $1200 per adult economic stimulus payment.

But, the IRS has no idea if those folks also have a dependent child in the household.

Which means all those folks must register their children with the special tool the IRS has.  The address is:  https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here .

If you don’t register your dependent child (who is under the age of 17) by Wednesday, you will not receive the $ 500 per dependent payment this year.  You will get it- but not until next year.

Remember- this ONLY applies to those folks who were not required to file income taxes for either 2018 or 2019.  This means that individuals who earn less than $ 12,200 and couples who earn less than $ 24,400.  (Those are the standard deductions- once you cross that threshold, taxes begin accruing.)

If you have filed taxes those years (2018, 2019)- and you included your dependent children, you need do nothing.  The IRS knows who you are- and as long as you haven’t move- where you are.   (If you moved, you should file a change of address- using Form 8822,  with the IRS here.)

Moreover, this problem is compounded because one could have read the IRS instructions to indicate that as long as you were receiving payments, you need do nothing.  Here’s exactly what the site says:

You receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), survivor benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefits. The IRS will automatically send you an Economic Impact Payment.

I would have read that to mean I was already registered- as was the rest of my family.  But, as we now know, that is not the case. And, upon reflection, it makes perfect sense- why would the IRS know that we have dependent children if there is no payment record that indicates that fact.

Here’s the corollary.  Once you receive the stimulus payment, the non-filer tool shown above will no longer be capable or registering any dependent children.  So, do it now!

You will also notice that the non-filer tool must be used by those who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or Veterans’ Affairs benefits and don’t cross the income thresholds also need to register with the IRS via the non-filer tool shown above, if they have dependent children.  Since those receiving SSI will receive their payments in May, the deadline of 22 April is not critical- but they shouldn’t wait too long- because once their check has been issued, they, too, will have to wait a whole year for those $ 500 per dependent stimulus payments.

These payments can be made directly into one’s bank account (direct deposit) or Direct Express Debit Card (or check)- exactly how they receive their benefits from the government now.

What are you waiting for?????