9 million people can still claim stimulus checks
ATLANTA - Most Americans got their stimulus checks. Some were sooner or later than others. But some of you didn’t get them at all, and they need to be claimed.
There are 9 million unclaimed stimulus checks. In Georgia, there are just more than 348,000 unclaimed economic impact payments. There’s a way to get it, but listen, there’s a looming deadline.
The IRS has sent out a few pressing messages in the last few days imploring you to get registered with the IRS so that you are in the queue for your money.
Sign up for FOX 5 email alerts
Most of the unclaimed payments are for people who didn’t file a 2018 or 2019 tax return. If weren’t required to file due to low income or no income, then you need to register on the IRS’s website by using their non-filer tool. Do this by Oct. 15 to get your money by year’s end. If you simply didn’t file your taxes in those years, do NOT use the non-filer link. File your returns.
Letters are coming in the mail to explain this all. But don’t wait for the letter. Get started. The letter will have 1444-A in the upper right-hand corner. It will explain eligibility. These will be sent out starting Thursday, Sept. 24th. When you get one in the mail compare it to the one online to avoid a scam.
Now, just because you registered doesn’t mean you qualify. If you are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return you do not qualify for your own stimulus check. The letter and the IRS website explain this fully.
If you do not file a 2019 tax return in 2020 or register to claim your money, according to the IRS, you may instead be able to claim a recovery rebate credit when you file your 2020 federal income tax return in 2021.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Download the FOX 5 Atlanta app for breaking news and weather alerts.