TODAY, May 5th, is the deadline for those of you receiving SSI or VA benefits, who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, and have a child dependent to submit information to the IRS in order to have $500 per child added to the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment you will already be receiving. The dependent must be a qualifying child under the age of 17 and cannot be claimed as anyone else’s dependent. The IRS has created a tool for those SSI or VA benefit recipients, who have not filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return, to submit your dependent’s information. Follow the steps below to complete the form:
1. There is specific information you will need to have handy before accessing the form.
a. Full names and current contact information such as mailing and email addresses.
b. If you would like to have your payment direct deposited, have your bank account number, account type and routing number.
Note: If you are a Direct Express Account Holders, you may use the Non-Filers tool, but you will not be able to receive your and your children’s payment on your Direct Express account. Your only options are to select a bank account for direct deposit or receive a check by mail. If you opt to have a check mailed, leave bank information blank on the form.
c. Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) you received from the IRS earlier this year, if you have one.
d. Driver’s license or state-issued ID if you have one.
2. You can access the tool a few different ways.
a. Click Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here to access the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here page. Once on this page, find and click on the ‘Enter your information’ button to access the form. The link will take you from the IRS site to one of their safe and secure Free File Alliance partner sites where you will start inputting your information. You will notice there is also a button to select a Spanish form.
b. Click Free File to go directly to the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info form. On this page you just click the ‘Get Started’ button and begin entering your information right away.
3. After clicking ‘Get Started’, you will be taken to the ‘Create an Account or Sign In’ page. If you have already created an account, select ‘Sign In’ to access your saved form. Otherwise, begin creating your account by entering your email address, creating a User ID and Password (for Sign In). You will also be prompted to enter a phone number for verification purposes. Click ‘Create Account’.
4. The next screen is where you will input your filing status (Single or Married filing jointly) and personal information. If you were married at the end of 2019, you will need to enter both your and your spouse’s valid Social Security numbers (unless you are filing ‘Married Filing Jointly’ with a spouse who was a member of the military in 2019. For each dependent you are claiming for the Economic Impact Payment, you will also need a valid Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number. Take note, that if someone can claim you or your spouse as a dependent you will need to check the box stating so.
5. If you would like to have your Economic Impact Payment direct deposited to your bank account, you can select ‘Enter Bank Information’ to input your bank routing and account numbers on the following screen. If you decide not to add a bank, you will receive a check in the mail instead.
6. Finally, after entering bank information, you will be directed to enter personal information to verify yourself. Follow the instructions. Here you will be asked for your driver’s license or state-issued ID information. If you do not have one, leave that part of the form blank.
7. Once you have entered all the information required, you will receive a screen confirmation that your bank has been added if you added a bank. You will also receive an e-mail from the Customer Service at Free File Fillable Forms either acknowledging that you have successfully submitted your information or informing you that there is a problem and how to correct it.
After completing the Free File Fillable form, you will not need to take any additional action. The information that you entered on the form using the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Information Here Tool will be used to automatically complete a Form 1040 tax form and transmit it to the IRS to calculate your payment and send it out to you by the method you chose to receive your money.
Again, be aware that you must complete the Free File form using the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Information Here Tool TODAY in order to receive the additional $500 per child payment with your $1,200 Economic Impact Payment this year. If you receive SSI or VA benefits, have qualifying children under the age of 17 and did not file a 2018 or 2019 tax return and you miss this opportunity, you will only receive your $1,200 Economic Impact Payment this year. By law, in order to receive the additional $500 per child dependent Economic Impact Payment, you will be required to file a tax return for tax year 2020. For additional information about the requirements for using the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here Tool, make sure to read ‘SSI and VA Recipients with Dependents Can Get Additional Economic Impact Payments’
