COVID Tax Tip 2020-41: Most Social Security and Railroad Retirement recipients don’t need to file a return or provide information to get an Economic Impact Payment

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 04/15/2020 09:51 AM EDT

IRS Tax Tips

April 15, 2020

Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-41

Most Social Security and Railroad Retirement recipients don’t need to file a return or provide information to get an Economic Impact Payment

Many people are receiving Economic Impacts Payments to help with the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Among people getting payments for $1,200 are those who receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits. This includes those who don’t normally file a tax return and are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.

Here are some things for these folks to know about the payment:

Eligible Social Security (including SSDI) and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries whose benefits are reported on a Form 1099 SSA or RRB will not need to file a tax return or provide information to receive a payment. However, those recipients who have qualifying children under age 17 must provide information through the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool to claim the $500 payment per child.
Even though these beneficiaries are not typically required to file a tax return, they will still receive a payment.
Social Security (including SSDI) and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries who don’t file a tax return who have qualifying children under age 17 must use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info to claim the $500 payment per child.
Economic Impact Payments will be sent automatically to this group of people the same way they receive their Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits or their Railroad Retirement benefits.

The IRS continues to explore ways to see if Economic Impact Payments can be made automatically to SSI recipients and those who receive veteran’s disability compensation, pension or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and who did not file a tax return for the 2018 or 2019 tax years. People in these groups can either use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info option now or wait as the IRS continues to review automatic payment options to simplify delivery for these groups.

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COVID Tax Tip 2020-41: Most Social Security and Railroad Retirement recipients don’t need to file a return or provide information to get an Economic Impact Payment

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Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-41