Where’s My First Stimulus Check? How to Check the Status

This content is for the first stimulus check. For information on the second stimulus check, visit our “Where’s My Second Stimulus Check?” blog post. For information on the third stimulus check, please visit our “Where’s My Third Stimulus Check?” blog post.

The IRS is continuing to send stimulus payments to eligible Americans across the United States. Stimulus payments will be based on your 2019 tax return, or your 2018 tax return if you have not yet filed this season.

The IRS launched a Get My Payments tool to help people track the status of their Stimulus payment, confirm their payment method (direct deposit or check) and provide direct deposit information. 

If you’re wondering how and when you will receive your stimulus check, we’ve outlined some guidance for you below.   

I’m Eligible for a Stimulus Check, How Do I Receive My Payment?

Stimulus payments — up to $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for joint taxpayers and an additional $500 for each qualifying child under 17— will be based on information from your most recent tax filings, either 2019 or 2018, if you have not yet filed this season. You can calculate how much your check is projected to be using our stimulus check calculator here. For additional information on the stimulus package and what it means for you, click here. 

If you are not required by the IRS to file a tax return and do not receive social security benefits, use the free TurboTax Stimulus Registration product to easily provide the IRS with the information they need to calculate and send your stimulus payment. 

If you are a Social Security retirement or disability income recipient, you do not need to take any action to get your stimulus payment as it will be automatically calculated based on information from your 2019 Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or RRB-1099 Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement and deposited by the IRS.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you will automatically receive your stimulus payment with no further action needed. The IRS projects the payments for SSI recipients will go out no later than early May. The Treasury Department, not the Social Security Administration, will make these automatic payments to SSI recipients. You will generally receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your SSI benefits.

Veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments from VA who don’t usually file a tax return and didn’t file their tax year 2018 or tax year 2019 taxes also don’t need to do anything and will automatically receive their $1,200 stimulus check.

When Will I Receive My Stimulus Check? How Do I Track the Status of My Stimulus Check?

Eligible taxpayers who filed a tax return in 2019 or 2018 and chose to receive their refund through direct deposit into their checking or savings account will automatically have their stimulus payment deposited into that account.

To find out when your stimulus check is coming, visit the IRS Get My Payment tool. 

If the Get My Payment site says, “Payment status not available” it’s for one of the following reasons:

• The IRS hasn’t finished processing your 2019 return, Stimulus Registration, or IRS Non-Filers entry.
• Get My Payment doesn’t have your data yet.
• If you receive Social Security, VA benefits, SSA or RRB Form 1099 and don’t typically file a return, your information isn’t available in Get My Payment yet.
• You’re not eligible for a payment.

Get My Payment information is only updated once per day, so if you receive a “Payment status not available” message check back the following day to see if your status has changed.

Can I Change My Stimulus Payment Method?

The IRS is using information from your last filed tax return (2019 or 2018) to send your stimulus payment.

If you aren’t sure how the IRS will be sending your stimulus, you can use the IRS Get My Payment tool to check. If they haven’t sent your stimulus payment yet, you can update your direct deposit information. If they already sent your payment, there’s nothing you can do to change your payment method.

Will I Receive My Stimulus Payment on a Debit Card?

The IRS started depositing stimulus payments on some debit cards, including the TurboCard, for taxpayers that chose to receive their refund through that method in tax year 2019 or 2018. If you received your refund on a TurboCard during your most recent tax filing (2018 or 2019), here is what you need to know.

If you have access to your debit card, there is nothing more you need to do. If the IRS deposits a stimulus payment onto your debit card, you will be able to immediately use the stimulus funds upon deposit.

If you selected a refund transfer or a debit card when you filed your taxes and a stimulus payment is sent from the IRS to that account, you will receive your stimulus payment without delay or fees into the account you received your tax refund.

If you received a notification that you will be receiving your stimulus payment from the IRS on your debit card and no longer have access to it, you can request a replacement card by either signing in to your Turbo Visa Debit Card account or calling 888-285-4169 and reporting your card lost/stolen. We’ll waive or refund standard replacement fees so there’s no cost to you.

What if My Turbo Card Account is Closed?

If your Refund Advance or Turbo Visa Debit Card account is closed or no longer active, the bank will reject the stimulus payment deposit and return the money to the IRS. The IRS will then mail a check to the address on your 2019 or 2018 tax return, or the address on file with the U.S. USPS, whichever is more current.

According to the IRS, your Get My Payment status may have inaccurately said that your payment was being sent to the same account for the second time. Your payment is actually being mailed and the IRS will be updating Get My Payment accordingly.

What Does the “Need More Information” Status Mean on the Get My Payment App?

You’ll receive this if you’re eligible for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP), but the IRS does not have your direct deposit information to send your direct deposit information electronically. After verifying your identity, provide your bank information on the IRS website. Add the correct routing number, account number, and account type, which can be found on one of your checks, through your online banking website or app, or by contacting your financial institution.

Direct deposit is the fastest way to get your stimulus check, but if you choose not to provide your bank information, the IRS will send your check in the mail to the address on file. 

What Does the “Please Try Again Later” Status on Get My Payment Mean?

This means your IRS account has been locked and you will be able to access your account again after 24 hours. The IRS asks that you do not contact them.

Why Am I Getting an Error Message When Answering the Security Questions?

If the information entered does not match the IRS records, you will receive an error message. Be sure you entered the information accurately. Check your most recent tax return or consider a different way to enter your street address and use the help tips provided when entering your personal information. If you enter incorrect information multiple times you will be locked out of Get My Payment for 24 hours. 

Can I Use Get My Payment to Check My Payment Status if I’m Not Required to File a Return? 

It may not be possible for you to access Get My Payment if you usually do not file a tax return. Depending on your specific circumstances, if your identity cannot be verified when answering the required security questions, you will not be able to use Get My Payment.

TurboTax Has You Covered

You can be confident that TurboTax is ready to help you stay informed and file now. 

If you’re self-employed, visit our Self-Employed Coronavirus Relief Center to get up-to-date information, tax advice and tools to help you understand what coronavirus relief means for you.

Continue to check back here for the most up to date tax information and changes in response to Coronavirus.

(Update as of 10/9/20: the TurboTax Stimulus Registration tool for non-filers will be available until October 16, 2020, and the IRS Non-Filer tool will be available until November 21, 2020)