IRS National Economic Impact Payment Registration Day: Here’s What You Need to Know

This content is for the first coronavirus relief package, which was signed into law in March 2020. For info on the third coronavirus relief package, please visit our “American Rescue Plan: What Does it Mean for You and a Third Stimulus Check” blog post.

You might not have heard about the National Economic Impact Payment Registration Day recently announced by the IRS. Whether or not you heard of the day, TurboTax is here to answer some key questions about National Impact Payment Registration Day like:

• “What is Economic Impact Payment Registration Day?”
• “When is the deadline to file for Economic Impact (stimulus) Payments?”
• “Who should still file for Economic Impact Payments?”
• “How Do I Register?”
• “Can I File for an Economic Impact (stimulus) Payment if I’m a College Student?”

We’re here to help you figure out everything you need to know about this special day and what you should do if you still haven’t received an Economic Impact Payment also known as a stimulus payment.

What is National Economic Impact Payment Registration Day?

The Internal Revenue Service set November 10 as “National EIP Registration Day,” which is the final push to encourage everyone who doesn’t normally file a tax return and who did not already receive a stimulus check to register to receive one. This special day is dedicated to spreading the word a few days ahead of the final extended registration deadline.

When is the Deadline to Register for the Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payment?

The final extended registration deadline to register for a stimulus (EIP) payment for those who didn’t receive one is November 21, 2020.

Who Should Still File for Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payments?

While most eligible U.S. taxpayers have automatically received their stimulus payment either based on their most recent tax filing (2018 or 2019) or they were issued payments based on being recipients of Social Security retirement, Disability (SSDI), Railroad Retirement, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or VA benefits, there may still be others who don’t have a filing obligation. Typically, this includes people who receive little or no income.

How Do I Register for an Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payment?

The IRS has already sent nearly 9 million letters to people who may be eligible for the $1,200 stimulus payments but don’t normally file a tax return. The letters, along with the special November 10 event, urge people to use the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool available exclusively on IRS.gov.

The tool is designed for people with incomes typically below $12,200 single, $24,400 for married couples, who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else. This includes couples and individuals who are homeless.

What if I’m a College Student? Can I File for an Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payment?

Yes, the Internal Revenue Service urges any eligible self-supporting college student who doesn’t need to file a tax return and didn’t already receive a stimulus payment to register by November 21 so they can receive payment before the end of the year. If you are a self-supporting student who registers, you may be eligible for a $1,200 payment if you are single or $2,400 if married and file a joint return. If you have dependent children, you will normally also get an additional $500 for each qualifying child.

The IRS emphasized that only self-supporting students who are not required to file a tax return should use the Non-Filers tool. Students claimed as a dependent by their parents or someone else cannot get a payment.

If you are a student who needs to file a regular tax return, you should not use the Non-Filers tool. You can claim the Economic Impact (stimulus) Payment in the form of a Recovery Tax Rebate when you file your 2020 taxes (the ones you file in 2021). If you worked this year and had taxes taken out, you should file a tax return at tax time even if you are below the IRS income filing thresholds ($12,400 for 2020) since you may receive a tax refund for the federal taxes withheld along with the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS reports close to $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds every year with unclaimed refunds averaging over $800. Much of which belongs to college students who don’t file their taxes.

Some recent college graduates from 2019 and 2020 may not have received a stimulus payment because they were claimed as a dependent by their parents or someone else. If you are a recent graduate and you are not claimed as a dependent by anyone when you file your 2020 taxes (the ones you file in 2021), you still may be eligible for an Economic Impact or stimulus Payment in the form of a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your taxes.

Time is running out. The IRS urges anyone that meets eligibility requirements mentioned to register soon, ahead of the November 21 registration deadline. If you miss the November 21 cutoff, you will need to wait and file a tax year 2020 tax return at tax time next year to claim your payment in the form of a Recovery Rebate Credit.

If you use the Non-Filers tool, you can speed up the arrival of your payment by choosing to receive it by direct deposit. If you do not choose this option, you will get a check.

Beginning two weeks after registering, the status of your payment can be tracked using the Get My Payment tool, available only on IRS.gov.