With a fair amount of fanfare, the IRS recently released its "Get My Payment" tool. This online app—located on the IRS website at irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment—is supposed to let you:
- Check the status of your stimulus payment;
- Confirm your payment type (paper check or direct deposit);
- Get a projected direct deposit or paper check delivery date (or find out if a payment hasn't been scheduled); and
- Enter your bank account information for direct deposit if the IRS doesn't have your direct deposit information and they haven't sent your payment yet.
Unfortunately, however, many people (millions?) can't get any information out of this tool. They keep getting a message saying: "Payment Status Not Available. According to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time." It can be very frustrating if you're one of the people getting this message every day—believe me, I know, because I'm one of them.
According to the IRS, there are several reasons why the "Get My Payment" tool will give you the "Payment Status Not Available" messages, including:
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- The IRS hasn't finished processing your 2019 return;
- The tool doesn't have your data yet;
- You used the "Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here" tool, but the IRS hasn’t processed your entry yet;
- You receive Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or Veterans Administration benefits, and the necessary information from the agency that administers those benefit programs hasn't been loaded onto the IRS system yet (for people who don't normally file a tax return; or
- You're not eligible for a payment.
For many of us, it looks like we'll just need to wait a little longer. The IRS updates the tool once per day (overnight), and they're working on adding more data to allow more people to use the tool. So, I guess working a little harder on being patient will do me some good.
(To find out how much money you'll get, use our Stimulus Check Calculator.)
-
What the Comcast Cable Spinoff Means for InvestorsComcast has announced plans to spin off select cable networks and digital assets into a separate publicly traded company. Here's what you need to know.
-
TJX Stock: Wall Street Stays Bullish After EarningsTJX stock is trading lower Wednesday despite the TJ Maxx owner's beat-and-raise quarter, but analysts aren't worried. Here's why.
-
Tax Credit vs. Tax Deduction: What’s the Difference?Tax Breaks Your guide to tax deductions and credits, how the IRS treats them differently, and how they impact your tax bill.
-
Premium Tax Credit: Are You Eligible For This Health Insurance Tax Break?Tax Credits The tax credit can help qualifying individuals pay for coverage from the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace.
-
FSA Contribution Limits Are Higher for 2025FSA A flexible spending account allows you to build tax-free savings for certain medical expenses.
-
Florida Tax Deadline Extension: What You Need to KnowTax Relief The IRS extended federal tax return file time due to severe storms.
-
IRS: Here’s How to Recover Your Tax Records After a Natural DisasterTax Records Your tax documents can help you get federal relief faster, the IRS says.
-
Voters Approve New Veteran Property Tax ReliefTax Relief Thanks to the election, some Veterans will soon see expanded property tax exemptions.
-
Nevada Approves Diaper Tax Relief Amid Childcare CrisisTax Relief Nevada voters have expanded sales tax relief to diapers. But are prices still too high?
-
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2024: How Much Will You Get?Tax Credits The refundable amount for workers with or without children is slightly higher this year. Here’s what you need to know.
