FAQs on the new Economic Impact Payments highlight some areas that are already causing problems and confusion for a number of taxpayers. The biggest problem appears to be the fact that taxpayers will not be able to update direct deposit or mailing information from their most recent tax return.
Here are some of the issues addressed in the FAQs:
Q: Why am I getting “Payment Status Not Available?”A: In certain cases, the Get My Payment app will be unable to tell you the status of your payment. You may receive this message for one of the following reasons:
- If you are not eligible for a payment due to income limitations or dependent status.
- If you are required to file a tax return and have not filed for 2018 or 2019.
- If you recently filed your return or provided information through the Non-Filers link. Your payment status will be updated when processing is completed.
- If you are a SSA or RRB Form 1099 recipient, SSI or VA benefit recipient — the IRS is working with your agency to issue your payment; your information is not available in this app yet.
You can check the app again to see whether there has been an update to your information. Get My Payment data is updated once daily, so there’s no need to check back more frequently.
Q: My bank account information has changed since I filed. Can I update it using the tool?A: Only in some situations. Get My Payment cannot update direct deposit bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery. To help protect against potential fraud, the tool also does not allow people to change direct deposit bank account information already on file with the IRS. However, people who did not use direct deposit on their last tax return to receive a refund, or when their direct deposit information was inaccurate and resulted in a refund check, will be able to provide that information and speed their payment with a deposit into their bank account.
Q: I no longer have the bank account that I used for direct deposit on my tax return. Can I change it using Get My Payment?A: If the bank account is closed, the bank will reject the deposit and you will be issued your payment via check to the address the IRS has on file for you. If the Get My Payment application indicates your payment has been processed, you cannot change your bank account information.
Q: My address is different from the last tax return filed. Can I change it using Get My Payment?A: No. Get My Payment will not allow you to change your address. To change your address:
- If you have not filed your 2019 tax return, enter your new address on your return when you file. The IRS updates their records when your return is processed. File electronically to ensure your return will be processed more quickly.
- If you have filed your 2019 tax return and you did not receive a refund via direct deposit, your payment will be mailed to the address the IRS has on file for you. This is generally the address on your most recent return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Q: I made an electronic payment from my bank account to the IRS. Will my payment be direct deposited to the same account?A: The account information used to make an electronic payment to the IRS cannot be used as the account information for the direct deposit of your payment. If the IRS does not have bank account information for you and your payment has not been processed yet, Get My Payment will allow you to submit your bank account information once you have properly verified your identity so that you can get your EIP via direct deposit. Otherwise, the IRS will mail your payment to the address they have on file for you.
For more information or assistance with your particular tax situation, please contact our tax professionals at
[email protected] or toll free at
844.4WINDES (844.494.6337).
This article is reproduced with permission from Spidell Publishing, Inc. 
