Tax refunds

[Omarsalomar]

Hi,

I filed for my tax year 2019 jointly with my wife. In 2020 I went through divorce and still ongoing. As you know in late 2020, $600 stimulus checks were issued and because we closed our joint account the IRS send us a new check with 1200$ to our old address. My ex refused to give me half since we were legislating. After that I filled my tax return year-2020 as a single and stated there that I did not receive my 600$, of course I called the IRS and explained the situation and advised me to figure it out with ex-wife which was not possible to do. Anyway after filling for 2020 I received 2400$ stimulus checks as a direct deposit to my new account that I filed (as you know third round was issued early 2021) I tried to solve this with my ex-wife but didn’t work.

Now the 1200$ check did not check out because it needs our signatures on that one to deposit it.

My question how much the amount that I should report when I file this for 2021-tax return? Should I report that I received 2400$ or what

thanks

[RobertB4444]

So the stimulus checks that you (and your ex) were entitled to went like this-

$1200 in early Summer 2020

$600 at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021

$1400 in about March of 2021

If you didn't get the first two payments then the amounts were to be included on your 2020 tax return.

The third payment is included on your 2021 return.  If you didn't receive it you'll add it this year.  

If you are holding a check that you can't cash then you received it.  You need to contact the IRS to ask them to reissue two separate checks to the two of you.  If you don't know whether your ex got it then you should state that you have not received it.

[Omarsalomar · Accepted solution]

I did receive the first round! For both of us to our joint account.

the second round (were separated) she received the check but did not check out so neither of us have  gotten the 600$

the third round I filed separately (year 2020) but I think the IRS made a mistake and send me 2400$ direct deposit to my account.

what should I do when I file for year-2021

[RobertB4444]

If you got $2400 to your direct account it sounds like you got the stimulus you were entitled to.  When the question comes up say "Yes, I got it."

[Omarsalomar]

Got it! Thanks