I received $1800 in stimulus payment. TT is auto calculating $1800 in additional credit (for my deceased spouse/Jan20). Can I override this extra credit? I don't qualify.

[gmaz]

I am filing married/jointly (spouse was primary filer, so still is for this tax period). Spouse passed away prior to stimulus checks, but TurboTax isn't catching that. Should I just say I got twice as much so TT doesn't try to give me the credit?

[fanfare]

even a person who died in 2020 is eligible for the payments.

TurboTax is correct.

[Metooyou]

This is not right.  IRS sent my mom a check but on the envelope it says "if deceased, return the check" so I sent it back.... return to sender.

[DawnC]

A payment made to someone who died before January 1st, 2020 should be returned to the IRS. Return the entire payment unless it was made to joint filers and one spouse is still living. In that case, return half the payment. 

If someone can't deposit a check because it was issued to both spouses and one spouse has died, the individual should return the check. Once the IRS receives and processes the returned payment, an Economic Impact Payment will be reissued to the surviving spouse.  

The IRS encourages people to share this information with family and friends.  

TurboTax should calculate the correct recovery rebate if you enter the actual amounts you received and enter the correct date of passing in the personal information section.  I am sorry for your loss.   @Metooyou  @gmaz

[gmaz]

Thank you for the condolences. Unfortunately, I have entered correct amounts received and correct date of death (and double/triple-checked). The stimulus payments was actually delayed because he passed so early in the year, but I received the correct (lower, single-person) amounts. Not sure what else I can do. This seems like a turbo tax glitch as far as I can tell, and it's inflating my rebate, which I'm afraid I'll have to pay back.

[MaryM428]

Of course you will need to override what TurboTax is calculating and put in the figures that correct the entry for your situation.  This is something that will need to be resolved in the future, but for this filing season, make the changes that you need to insure that your refund is calculated properly.

@ gmaz

[VolvoGirl]

For deceased individuals see the second question under Eligibility.  If they died in 2020 they still get it.

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/second-eip-faqs

[DawnC]

If he passed away any time after Dec 31, 2019 - you are eligible to receive the payments for him.   The IRS will only request funds be returned for those that passed away prior to Jan. 1, 2020.  So, you do qualify to receive those funds.   You are not going to be required to return any part of the payment that was for your spouse!   @Metooyou  @gmaz 

Questions and Answers about the Second Economic Impact Payment

[Metooyou]

Then why did the envelop say to return the check if taxpayer is deceased.  We received my moms check via mail.  Mom died in March 2020.  Since the IRS envelop said return to sender if deceased, we returned the check.  

[KrisD15]

The IRS changed their minds.

Seriously, the rules on the stimulus packages were changing daily, I think they finally have a handle on things. This is the latest-

According to the IRS:

Will a deceased individual receive the payment? (added January 5, 2021)

A payment won’t be issued to someone who has died before January 1, 2020. If you filed a joint return in 2019 and your spouse died before January 1, 2020, you won’t receive a $600 payment for your deceased spouse, but you’ll still be issued up to $600 for you and $600 for any qualifying children, if all other eligibility criteria are met. 

Regarding eligible individuals who died in 2020, the Recovery Rebate Credit may be claimed on line 30 of their 2020 tax return.  Please refer to the instructions for the 2020 Form 1040 for more information.

IRS Source eligibility for second stimulus payment

[taxedtoomuch]

Is a spouse who died in January 2020 only eligible for the 2nd $600 stimulus payment?   Why does Turbo tax calculate $1,800 for the credit?   

[MarilynG1]

@taxedtoomuch Sorry for your loss.  If your spouse died in January 2020, you would still be eligible for the credit on your joint return.

 From the IRS: 

"A payment won’t be issued to someone who has died before January 1, 2020. If you filed a joint return in 2019 and your spouse died before January 1, 2020, you won’t receive a $600 payment for your deceased spouse, but you’ll still be issued up to $600 for you and $600 for any qualifying children, if all other eligibility criteria are met. 

Regarding eligible individuals who died in 2020, the Recovery Rebate Credit may be claimed on line 30 of their 2020 tax return.  Please refer to the instructions for the 2020 Form 1040 for more information."

Click this link for more info on Stimulus Payments .

[icecman]

Both you and MaryM428, both experts, are giving the opposite answers.

My wife passed away on Jan 9th, 2020. Should I receive any stimulus payments other than the $1,200 initial payment and the $600 second payment? The IRS site is just about as confusing as the answers on this site.

[fanfare]

there is no confusion, a person otherwise eligible who dies in 2020 is still eligible.

It is your 2020 tax return that controls.

[toesy]

spouse died in March, 2020, can i still receive the 1800 in additional credit and file married filing joint.