First Stimulus check

[Trapper48]

With the first stimulus check, I received $2400.  $1200 for myself and $1200 for my deceased husband.  I contacted the Social Security office and was told to put the money in my savings account and when I did my taxes for 2020 it would be found and corrected.  I wanted to send the money back, but they said to hold onto it.  Now I am doing my taxes and I have entered the correct amount to $2400 into Turbo Tax for the first check sent and $600 for the last one.  A total of $3,000, but this should only be $1800.  Turbo tax said that according to my AGI that this amount of $3,000 was correct.  How do I correct this to be accurate?  I would like someone from Turbo Tax or Intuit to respond on how to correct this problem.

[WendyN2]

Unfortunately, this is an issue that the IRS will be reconciling. That is why SSA basically pushed it off to the IRS by telling you to put it into savings and hold onto it. The IRS does have a plan, and are feverishly trying to keep up with any potential overpayments of stimulus checks - especially due to the closeness of second stimulus payment and beginning of 2020 tax season. However, with your even more unique situation - and I am so sorry for your loss, by the way - even though he passed in 2020 (I am assuming he did, by the way, by your wording but I could be wrong), they are calculating it based off of 2019 information. Just don't spend the money because chances are highly likely that they'll come looking for it! If this makes you feel more comfortable, you could always make an appointment with your local IRS office (if that is feasible) and discuss with an agent. But you have done nothing wrong. I wish you all the best!

[Trapper48]

My husband died in May of 2018.  I did speak with an IRS representative and he said that the first stimulus check for everyone in the amount of $1200 was for the year 2018 and since my husband was alive for part of the year that this money was good to keep.  The $600 stimulus check was for the year 2019.  I'm still skeptical and will call tomorrow to speak with another IRS rep to make sure this is accurate.  Otherwise, I will be putting this $1,200 in my savings and wait to find out if they come back to my in a few years wanting it back.  I don't trust the government.  Thank you for your help in this matter.  If I find out that this information is accurate, I will definitely reply back to Turbotax so if this happens to anyone else, you will have the answer.

[JamesG1]

I do not believe you qualify for a stimulus payment for your spouse who died in 2018.

IRS FAQ under Will a deceased taxpayer receive the payment? states:

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 will still be issued up to $600 for you and $600 for any qualifying children, if all other eligibility criteria are met.

IRS FAQ under What should I do to return an Economic Impact Payment?

A1. You should return the payment as described below.

If the payment was a paper check:

1. Write "Void" in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
2. Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
3. Don't staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
4. Include a brief explanation stating the reason for returning the check. 

If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:

1. Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
2. Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
3. Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.