Discrepancy in 3rd Economic Impact Payment

[carolynburns3]

There is a discrepancy between what the IRS says we received as Economic Impact Payment #3 (EIP3) on Letter 6475 ($3,500; married filing jointly with 4 dependents) and what was actually direct-deposited into our bank account by US Treasury for EIP3 ($258.58).  Has anyone else run into this problem?  I've tried calling the IRS and can't get through to talk to a live person.  All of their automated help is useless.  Any advice??

[Cynthiad66]

When there is a joint return, the IRS issues 2 letters 6475.  One for the husband and one for the wife.  The amounts listed on each letter must be entered  are basically added together to determine the correct amount received by the family.

I recommend preparing the return using both of the letters received to determine the correct amount received.  Or just enter the amount you actually received in 2021.  IRS will make adjustments if necessary before issuing a refund.

@carolynburns3

[Cynthiad66]

When there is a joint return, the IRS issues 2 letters 6475.  One for the husband and one for the wife.  The amounts listed on each letter must be entered  are basically added together to determine the correct amount received by the family.

I recommend preparing the return using both of the letters received to determine the correct amount received.  Or just enter the amount you actually received in 2021.  IRS will make adjustments if necessary before issuing a refund.

@carolynburns3

[carolynburns3]

Thank you for your reply.  My husband and I each received  letter 6475 stating that we received $3,500 for EIP3.  So we should have received $7,000 for married filing jointly.  However, the actual amount we received via direct deposit into our bank account from US Treasury for EIP3 was $258.  Won't the IRS think we received $6,742 more than we did?  I hesitate to file a return knowing this discrepancy and letting them make the adjustment.

We have called the IRS help line and never get through to a real person.

Any other thoughts??

[JulieS]

You could take a look at your IRS account online. It may just show the same information that you have now, but it could show that your third stimulus payment was returned or adjusted.

Click here to get started. 

[carolynburns3]

I did look at my IRS account online.  It shows that we supposedly received $3,500, just as is listed on the letter 6475.  The amount actually deposited into our account was much less, and as far as I'm aware, EIP3 was disbursed in only 1 payment, not multiple installments.  

[PattiF]

You can initiate a trace of the missing part of the 3rd Economic Impact payment. 

How can you request an IRS trace for missing stimulus money? 

• To request a payment trace, call the IRS at 800-919-9835 or mail or fax a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund (PDF). Note: If you call the number, you'll have to listen through the recorded content before you can connect with an agent. You should not mail Form 3911 if you've already requested a trace.

Form 3911

[carolynburns3]

Thank you for your input.  I'm wondering why there would be missing parts of the 3rd payment??  Was EIP3 disbursed in multiple installments and would the IRS have direct-deposited some of the money and sent the rest via snail-mail?  Doesn't make sense to me 🤔

[AliciaP1]

No, it's unlikely it would have been split, but the IRS has posted there were some errors in issuing the letters.  The best next step for you is as @PattiF pointed out and start a trace on the payment.

@carolynburns3

[carolynburns3]

Thank you for your reply.  I was not aware that the IRS admitted there were errors in some 6475 letters.  Can you supply a reference/link so that I can read more about this?

Thanks much!

[MaryK4]

To find the amount of the third payment, create or view your IRS online account or refer to IRS Notice 1444-C, which the IRS mailed after sending the payment. The IRS also sent Letter 6475 through March 2022 confirming the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payment and any plus-up payments you were issued for tax year 2021.

See Third Economic Impact Payment | Internal Revenue Service.

@carolynburns3