Stimulus check as an expat in Korea

[rena_9]

Hello,

I am working in Korea and will return to America in June. I have already filed my taxes, but I cannot get any information regarding the COVID-19 stimulus package, even when I check on the IRS site. 

It's really worrying me. I already have my Direct Deposit information because I got a partial refund from taxes and also paid some extra from it, so the bank information should not be an issue. 

For my 2019 taxes, I put my address down as my Korean address. Should I send a change of address document over to the IRS? I do not know whom I need to contact for this.

I hope the IRS is not going to mail a physical copy over to Korea. I think I will be gone by the time that happens.

If anyone can help, please let me know! Thanks.

[etphonehomefrance]

Hello,

I'm a little unclear about your situation. If you filed a federal return in 2019 or 2018, were owed a refund in either of those years and provided your US direct deposit information to the IRS, you should receive your stimulus payment by direct deposit without the need for you to do anything further.  Unfortunately, if the IRS were to mail you a check for whatever reason they would use the address provided on your 2019 return and sending in an address change document at this point would be to no avail. Good luck.

[rena_9]

I filed a federal return in 2018 and 2019. I am pretty sure my 2019 return has my Korean address here because I was in Korea most of the year. The 2018 one has the American address, though.

I have gotten a refund through direct deposit before, but I am unable to access the IRS site to check on the status of my stimulus check. It's rather worrying for me.

Is there anything I can do? I know you said I don't need to do anything, but I am afraid that I won't actually get the check at this rate.

[etphonehomefrance]

Hello,

The crucial question is whether you received a refund in either 2018 or 2019 (or are expecting one for 2019 if you recently filed) and provided your direct deposit information on either form.  Unfortunately, the IRS' Get My Payment site will not accept a foreign address ZIP CODE when logging in and overseas filers with foreign addresses have been unable to access the tool (information doesn't match our records error). Good luck. 

[rena_9]

I have received a refund after I filed in February and also made extra taxes. That money came from my Wells Fargo account.

I have also entered my permanent address in California on the IRS website, but to no avail. I still got the same error. That's the part that is confusing me.

Should I just keep waiting?

[etphonehomefrance]

If you filed a 2019 return with your direct deposit information, you should have nothing to worry about.

The Get My Payment tool will only accept the address you used on your latest return. Unfortunately, in 2019 you filed with your Korean address and won't be able to log in to the tool (I can't either, BTW), as because of a glitch it won't accept foreign addresses (specifically, a foreign postal code).

[rena_9]

Thank you so much! I hope things will work out. I do not remember if I put in my direct deposit information, but I got my refund and had to pay extra taxes, which came from my Wells Fargo account, so I must have put it in.

I'll just wait a bit longer and see how it goes...