Stimulus Payment--Can't Determine Eligibility

[Dlady47]

I used the new (as of today) IRS app to determine when I'd be receiving my stimulus check. The response was "unable to determine your eligibility."

I filed a 2018 income tax, married filing jointly, the amount was under the $150,000 for Adjusted Gross Income. I have an IRS account. I can see my AGI stated quite clearly on there for 2018.
I don't see any way that I can dispute or request they research it. What should I do? Any suggestions? I am definitely eligible. I have always e-filed. I do not owe money to the IRS or for child support. etc.

[DianeC958]

Currently, there is nothing you can do.  

If you are eligible, the IRS will issue you a Stimulus Check.

The Stimulus Checks will be going out through the end of 2020.

Economic Impact Payment Information Center

@Dlady47

[Dlady47]

Thank you for your response. I am DEFINITELY eligible. I have no idea why they can't determine that I am. Perhaps filing for 2019 will kick it into gear.

[KatrinaB48]

I would suggest filling your 2019 return as soon as possible. The IRS has not informed us of the approval process however, it may speed it up.

[Marky Malarky]

I have the exact same issue and situation.

[8RichardL9]

I filed my taxes on Apr 4th through the TurboTax free Stimulus Registration for non-tax filers. Checking the IRS website about my refund and tax return status it said that the IRS received my tax return, but haven't approved it yet. To get the stimulus check does the IRS have to approve your 2019 Tax Return/Refund first and if so how long will it take? TurboTax said both my State and Federal Tax Return were accepted by State and Federal  on Apr 4 because TurboTax efiled them when I filled out the "free Stimulus Registration for non-tax filers." When I try to check my payment status through the IRS tool that launched it said "Payment Status Not Available." I'm wondering if the reason I'm getting that message and that I haven't gotten my stimulus check yet is because my Return/Refund hasn't been approved.

[Schaede]

I had this issue. I am a non-filer, making under $12k a year, and I used TurboTax to submit on the 6th.

This morning I woke up and saw the Get My Payment was live, so I went on to check.

Same issue. Unable to determine eligibility at this time.

I tried for my dad, who gets a check each month and his said exactly the same thing. Though his is Direct Deposit and he should qualify for $2400 with my mom.

The CPA I spoke with from TurboTax about it said in some cases, you just have to wait it out. Give it a bit of time. It could be a bit of stalling on the part of the IRS, to stretch out the payments, as bad as it sounds.

It's just a determination issue, otherwise it'd say denied, or push through to the approved page.

One thing I remember reading in the CF of all the news articles on this, was that those who filed 2018/2019 were likely to be processed in the first wave. While the non-filers might take a bit longer. So it could be next week or the week after that before those get any money, or news of a check coming.

You could also get something in the mail in the next week or so, stating you will need to verify by submitting documents.

In your case, it could just be a stall issue. I think those who made less than $10,000 were supposed to be processed first, then it would be like $10,001 to $20,000, and so on. Where the poorest people would be getting the money first.

Since you file and do make an income, you could be in a later wave of payments as a result. There is just a lot of varied information floating around and it's hard to tell what is accurate and what is just the news, or government officials, giving out false information.

[Dlady47]

I'm not sure if you're referring to me, the original poster?

I filed in 2018 (frankly, I've filed for 40 plus years). I haven't filed my 2019 return yet.

I guess it's possible they're doing 2019 filings first, though that's not what I've been seeing in the articles I've read.

Thank you for the info. I know it's a big undertaking for the IRS, so it may be that they haven't processed the 2018 filers yet.

@Schaede

[Schaede]

Yeah, I was replying to you.

Honestly the whole situation is a CF, let's say Charlie-Fox, to use the sanitized version. The news media is putting out a ton of information, and there is a lot of conflicting information about things like dates especially.

I have seen stuff saying that those filing with less than 10,000 in their income will get paid first, then it will progressively increase into the higher earning amounts.

I have seen in one article that the non-filers will be paid -after- those who filed in 2018/2019 already.

It is hard to know what is the truth, and what is either rumor, speculation, or just misinformation from government officials, at this point.

So it could be as simple as if you filed for making 20,000 a year, your stimulus payment is delayed until after the $0 to $10,000 group from 2018/2019 get theirs.

[Dlady47]

@Schaede 

Yes, it does appear to be a mess. I have a friend who got theirs over the weekend, and they barely squeaked in under the $150k limit for a couple, so they definitely aren't paying according to lower incomes.
I mean, it's understandable. As quickly as they had to get it up and running. I worked in IT for 30 years. I can't imagine how much work this was. I'm guessing that there's something in our return that is causing issues, but there's no way to find out.
I'll file 2019 return as soon as my tax person finishes it. Perhaps, that will kick it in. Thanks for your feedback.