I thought I am not eligible for Economic Impact Payment. I received this payment. Why did I receive this payment?

[Anonymous]

why did I receive an Economic Impact Payment?

[ReneeM7122]

There was a third stimulus payment that goes off of your 2020 tax return.  

Here is a TurboTax article with the latest information about the third stimulus payment.

[Anonymous]

My question is that I am not a U.S. citizen but I am just a residential alien. I do not pay tax because I do not have a job. I thought I am not eligible for it. However, I received the economic impact payment. Am I in trouble in the future because I received this payment?

[ErnieS0]

Do you have a Social Security number or an ITIN? Resident aliens are eligible for the stimulus if they have a Social Security number that is valid for employment and are not claimed as a dependent.

You should return your payment if you are not eligible.

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.

For the addresses on where to send your payment: Economic Impact Payment Information Center — Topic I: Returning the Economic Impact Payment

[Anonymous]

I am a residential alien who stayed more than five years in the U.S. and has a social security number. I do not have a job and I don't pay tax because I have an F-1 visa. Because I did not pay tax in the 2019 year I thought I was not eligible. I received an economic impact payment today. Am I eligible for it? If I am not eligible for it your Turbotax was wrong because I filed a tax report through Turbotax. 

[ErnieS0 · Accepted solution]

If you are a resident alien (you are) and have a Social Security number valid for employment (it sounds like you do), then you are eligible for the stimulus payments. Check your Social Security card. You are eligible if it does NOT say NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.

The payments are not related to income taxes, except for the fact that missing stimulus payments are being added to the 2020 tax return as a “refund” because the IRS is done sending out first and second payments.

People who are not required to file tax returns are eligible for the stimulus payments so is does not matter whether you paid tax in 2019 or note.

Recovery Rebate Credit — Topic B: Eligibility