Random Routing and Account Number in my tax return led to stimulus being directed to an unknown bank account.

[sjane1]

Hello. I prepared my taxes with Turbo Tax in February and my refund was sent directly towards my student loan debt, (I did not submit and account or routing information for myself, rather opted to get a card, but the payment was taken in full to go to my loan, so I never got a card). When I checked my IRS portal today to track the status of my stimulus check, it stated that the check had been sent to a bank account that I am unfamiliar with. I looked back at my 2019 taxes and there is an unfamiliar routing and account number included in them that I did not submit. This is the account number that my stimulus check was sent to. How can I move forward and get my stimulus check?

[DawnC]

You can use the IRS's website to update your direct deposit information (the data you see is probably the data belonging to the refund processing service you used in an attempt to get a card).    

The payment may have been sent back in which case the IRS may issue you a paper check to the address on your most recent tax return.  Or, if you get your direct deposited information updated before they re-issue the payment, you may be able to get it direct deposited into your own bank account.  

[sjane1]

I appreciate the help, however per the IRS website -  Get My Payment cannot update direct deposit bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery. And mine has already been scheduled for delivery. Do you have any timeframe for when the payment will bounce back, and or information on how there are incorrect routing and account numbers on my return?

[Kayleaves]

The same thing happened to me! Except I don’t owe student loans but still the random bank account was there and it took both my stimulus checks did you ever figure it out?

[AmyC]

Let's check the options and find the solution.

1. If you paid for your tax preparation when you did your taxes, the stimulus will deposit or mail the same as your refund -straight from the IRS. You should have received your payment.

2. If you had your tax preparation fees taken out of your refund, then you opted to have SBTPG as an intermediary. The bank, SBTPG, charged you an additional fee to take out TurboTax fees, receive your refund, and deposit it into your account or give you a debit card.  Their bank account number would be on your tax return to receive your refund.

We are happy to share that stimulus payments for the second group began to be deposited starting January 8th and will continue.  Your payment will be deposited into the same bank account that you received your 2019 tax refund.

3. If for some reason you do not receive your stimulus, you can have it added to your refund. The IRS does not begin accepting returns until February 12 so all stimulus should have been received by then.

Please wait until you are certain there is no second payment, on or after February 12, then you can follow these steps, if necessary. 

• After you have entered your tax information and are ready for the Federal Review, stimulus will be the first question.
• If you are trying to trigger it: 
  1. go to Other Situations
  2. click Done. 
  3. The next question will ask about payments received.
• The program will determine the missing amount and add it to your refund.

Please see: Is My Second Stimulus Check on the way? and the IRS stimulus website.

@Kayleaves