COVID Tax Tip 2020-49: SSI and VA recipients with a child who don’t file taxes should visit IRS.gov now

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 05/01/2020 10:51 AM EDT

IRS Tax Tips

May 1, 2020

Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-49

SSI and VA recipients with a child who don’t file taxes should visit IRS.gov now

SSI and VA recipients who have children and weren’t required file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 should visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on IRS.gov by May 5.

This will help ensure they receive their full Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. This tool is available in English and Spanish.

$1,200 automatic payments have started for those receiving Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI) and Railroad Retirement benefits. Payments for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return in the last two years will start soon.

In order to add the $500 per eligible child to these payments, the IRS needs the dependent information before the payments are issued. Otherwise, their payment will be $1,200 and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount will be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.

This group should receive their Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.
More information related to veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments is available at VA.gov.

Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirees
People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors or disability insurance benefits (SSDI) and Railroad Retirement benefits (RRB) should begin getting their Economic Impact Payments this week. This includes those who don’t normally file a tax return.

Beneficiaries who don’t normally file a tax return and have a child but didn’t register on the Non-Filer tool by April 22 will still receive their $1,200 Economic Impact Payment automatically beginning the first week of May. However, since the deadline has passed, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child will be paid after they file a tax return for 2020.

Direct Express account holders can use the Non-Filers tool, but they can’t receive theirs or their child’s Economic Impact Payment in their Direct Express account. They only select a bank account for direct deposit or leave bank information blank to receive a check by mail.

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COVID Tax Tip 2020-49: SSI and VA recipients with a child who don’t file taxes should visit IRS.gov now

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Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-49