Federal Tax
STIMULUS CHECK INFORMATION
For many taxpayers, the last chance to obtain a direct deposit of their Economic Impact Payment rather than receive a paper check is coming soon.
People should visit IRS.gov Get My Payment for the English version and Obtener mi pago for the Spanish version by noon Wednesday, May 13, to check on their payment status and, when available, provide their direct deposit information.
If you have not filed a tax return, follow the link below for Non-Filers:
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
- A Recovery Rebate is an Advanced Refundable Tax Credit and meant to count against 2020 federal income taxes, so this income would NOT be considered a source of gross income/taxable income for 2020.
- Checks will be sent directly by the IRS to the address or direct deposit information on file, based on 2019 tax return or if not filed yet, 2018 tax returns. How much you receive will be based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reported on your 2019 or 2018 income taxes filed.
- These checks are only available to taxpayers with a valid SSN authorized for work, are not taxable, cannot be used to offset current IRS payments or used on tax returns as credits. An exception to this rule is for Married Filed Jointly taxpayers, as only the spouse serving on the Armed Forces needs to have a valid SSN, but not necessarily the other partner.
- In case you are given too little in this cash rebate (maybe your AGI income was higher for 2018 and 2019, but lost their job currently) you might be able to use this amount as a credit, and added to your tax refund to your 2020 tax return.
- Also, there is a possibility that future legislation continues to pass help taxpayers deal with the economic effects of this health crisis.
When you will receive check:
For Direct Deposit taxpayers-1-2 weeks
For rest of taxpayers-3-4 months, as checks will be mailed out directly.
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Tax Filing Category |
Check Amount (Approx.) |
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Single, with AGI up to $75,000 Head of Household (HOH), with AGI up to $112,500 |
$1,200 |
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Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), with AGI under $150,000 |
$2,400 ($1,200 per person) |
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Per Add'l Children claimed as Dependents (HOH, MFJ), 16 years of age and under |
$500 |
For more information check out the fact sheet. Click here.
The chart below refers to the different types of taxpayers and the Get my Payment link – how to use and how to read error messages:
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment
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Do I need to use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool? |
What can the Get My Payment tool do for me? |
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IF you are required to file a federal income tax return for 2019 or 2018, |
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... and you filed a return for 2019 or 2018 with direct deposit information for your tax refund, and the direct deposit information is current and accurate. |
No, do not use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here. You don't need to do anything else to get your Economic Impact Payment. You will automatically get your payment deposited directly into your account. |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment once the IRS has processed your tax return. |
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... and you filed a return for 2019 or 2018 with direct deposit information for your tax refund but the information is not current or accurate. |
No, do not use Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here. Generally, if you designated direct deposit on your 2018 or 2019 tax return, the Economic Impact Payment will go to the account number you designated. If the account is no longer active, the IRS will automatically mail your payment to your address of record (this is generally the address on your last return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS)). |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment once the IRS has processed your tax return.
Note. Get My Payment cannot update bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery. To help protect against fraud, the tool also does not allow people to change bank account information already on file with the IRS. |
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... and you filed a tax return for 2019 or 2018, but you owed tax or didn't choose direct deposit for tax refund. |
No, do not use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here. You don't need to do anything else to get your Economic Impact Payment in the mail. You may be able to provide direct deposit information to the IRS to get your payment in your bank account instead. |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment once the IRS has processed your return.
Add direct deposit information: You may be able to use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to provide direct deposit account information once the IRS has processed your return. If this tool doesn't offer you the option to provide your direct deposit information, it means the IRS will mail your Economic Impact Payment. |
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... and you have not filed a tax return for either 2019 or 2018 but expect to receive a tax refund. |
No, do not use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here. File your 2019 individual tax return electronically. Choose direct deposit for a faster refund. Your Economic Impact Payment will be sent in the same way you choose to receive your refund unless you specify otherwise. |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment once the IRS processes your tax return.
Add direct deposit information: If you don't choose direct deposit when you file your return, you may be able to use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to provide direct deposit account information after the IRS has processed your return. If this tool doesn't offer you the option to provide your deposit information, it means the IRS will mail your Economic Impact Payment. |
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... and you have not filed a tax return for either 2019 or 2018 and you expect to owe tax on the return(s). |
No, do not use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here. File your 2019 federal tax return. Your Economic Impact Payment will not be reduced – even if you owe tax.
File electronically for the quickest processing.
For information about paying the tax due with your return, visit IRS.gov/payments. |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment once the IRS has processed your return.
Add direct deposit information: You may be able to use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to provide direct deposit account information once the IRS has processed your return. If this tool doesn't offer you the option to provide your direct deposit account information, it means the IRS will mail your Economic Impact Payment. |
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If you are not required to file a federal income tax return for 2019 or 2018 |
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... and you do receive: · Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or survivor benefits · Veteran's benefits · Railroad Retirement benefits
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No, you don't need to use Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here.
The IRS will direct deposit or mail your Economic Impact Payment to where you normally receive your benefit.
However, these recipients who have qualifying children under age 17 must provide information through the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool to claim the $500 payment per child. |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment.
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... and you do not receive: · Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or survivor benefits · Veteran's benefits · Railroad Retirement benefits This may include, but is not limited to, low-income or no-income individuals.
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Yes, use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool.
The IRS won't have the information necessary to issue you an Economic Impact Payment, unless you provide some basic information. Entering your bank account information will allow the IRS to deposit your payment directly in your account. Otherwise, your payment will be mailed to you. |
Track the status: You can use the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment once the IRS processes the information you entered in the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool.
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Legal Aid Society of San Diego welcomes walk-ins. For faster service call 1-877-LEGAL AID (1-877-534-2524).
TTY 1-800-735-2929
If you wish to come to an office, we have 3 locations:
Southeast San Diego Office
Midtown San Diego Office
North County San Diego Office
The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (Tax Clinic) can help individuals and their unincorporated businesses with the following kinds of problems:
- I filed my tax return, but did not get my refund. For instance, if you filed a tax return and claimed certain deductions or credits, such as the EITC, and the IRS has not paid you your refund, contact the Tax Clinic to see if we can help.
- I have been told that my tax return is being audited: The IRS has told you that they are looking at your income tax return or have told you that they plan on changing your tax return, increasing the tax you owe, or reducing your refund.
- I have not filed past years tax returns: The Tax Clinic does not prepare tax returns. However, we may be able to assist you with the preparation of a return if it helps you to resolve a probable dispute with the IRS that will happen when you file. For instance, if you have not filed tax returns for one or more years because of what you think the IRS will do, and need some help filing them and paying any tax that might be owed or getting any refund you are entitled to, then we may be able to help.
- I owe taxes: You have been getting bills from the IRS and want help in finding out what your options are for paying the taxes. Or, after you get a tax return prepared and filed you owe tax, we can counsel you as to your options for paying that tax.
- I want to petition the Tax Court, I have filed a Tax Court petition, or I am scheduled for a trial at the Tax Court: If you want to file a petition with the United States Tax Court or you have filed a petition, we may be able represent you before the Tax Court. If you have a date of trial, contact the Tax Clinic immediately to see if we can help.
- I overpaid my taxes and want to get a refund. You want to sue to get back federal taxes you paid but you now wish to dispute. We can represent you before the IRS and the United States District Court in a refund action.
- If we are helping you with your IRS tax problem, we can then help you with any related California tax problems.
Subject to eligibility, a walk-in tax clinic is available at the San Diego County Law Library from 2-4 pm on the last Wednesday of every month. Services are given on a first come first served basis.
The local Taxpayer Advocate Service (949-389-4804) is an independent IRS office that assists taxpayers with their IRS issues. Taxpayer Advocate Service
Many times, the IRS will want your current financial information in order to assist you. They will ask you to use this form, IRS 433-F the Collection Information Statement.
Social Security:
- If a single tax payer is receiving social security income, do they have to file a return?
Answer:
- Generally, if social security benefits were your only income, your benefits are not taxable. Taxpayers who receive little or no income in addition to their Social Security Benefits would typically not need to file a tax return.
- If you received income from other sources, your benefits may or may not be taxed depending on the source and amount of the income used in a calculation the IRS will make to see what part of your income is taxable. If this is your situation you should speak with a tax advisor.
Retirement:
Exceptions to the 10% penalty on early distributions from retirement
Generally, there is a 10 percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans. However, the additional tax does not apply to the following situations:
1. Medical Expenses
2 Payments under a qualified domestic relations order
3. Distributions to unemployed individuals for health insurance premiums
4. Distributions for higher education expenses
5. Distributions for first home purchases
6. Distributions when called to active duty
This video explains what will happen in an audit. It is far more accurate than the scare ads you hear or see on radio and TV.
Links to Youtube TAS videos starring Nina Olsen -- Consumer Tax Tips: IRS Audits - YouTube
- tax returns you filed or had prepared for year(s) in issue, including your most current return.
- Copies of your most recent pay stubs or documents that show your current yearly income.
- All correspondence to and from the IRS and Tax Court.
- Any documents you think relate to your case.
We can provide general information and training on specific tax issues or problems to community organizations or groups. We have a special service to provide tax information and training to ESL taxpayers and organizations that work with ESL taxpayers. If you would like to request a presentation or traininig please click here.
Contact Shahin Rahimi for opportunities to volunteer your time and expertise. We can also always use accountants, lawyers, CPAs and other professionals who are interested in making a difference in their community and lending their expertise. Click here.