What happens to my 2nd stimulus check if I have a different bank account and the one listed is closed? I have a change of address too.

[DanielV01]

You will not be prevented from receiving the stimulus payment.  However, if the IRS can neither direct deposit your account or send you a check, you will claim the stimulus as part of your 2020 tax refund.  Please see this website for additional information:  IRS Recovery Rebate Credit

[angielougarcia]

Hi, I didn't receive my 2nd stimulus since the bank account on file closed and I'm currently living in a different country. How am I going to receive my 2nd & 3rd stimulus? I didn't receive the IRS notice 1444 as well which I could use for the recovery rebate. 

[JamesG1]

@angielougarcia

Have you filed a 2020 Federal 1040 tax return?  The only option that the IRS provides to update addresses and bank account information is to file the 2020 Federal 1040 tax return.

If you have not received your second stimulus check, you will receive your payment in the form of a Recovery Rebate Credit on line 30 of your 2020 Federal tax return when you file.

TurboTax will compare your one or two stimulus payment amounts to the computations within TurboTax.  The computations within TurboTax are based upon the information that you have entered into the tax software.  If you are due an additional amount, it will be issued as a Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on line 30 of the 2020 1040 tax return.

If you have e-filed your 2020 Federal tax return and the tax return is accepted by the IRS, you will have to amend your 2020 Federal tax return and correct the entries and calculations to receive the Recovery Rebate Credit.

If you have e-filed your 2020 Federal tax return and the tax return is rejected by the IRS, you will have to correct the entries and calculations to receive the Recovery Rebate Credit as well as correct the entries that generated the rejection.

In TurboTax Online, you are prompted to input stimulus check 1 and stimulus check 2 information under Review down the left hand side of the screen.  You can also access your stimulus check choices by following these steps: 

• Down the left side of the screen, click on Federal.
• Across the top of the screen, click on Other Tax Situations.
• At the screen Let’s keep going to wrap up.  Click on Let’s keep going.
• At the screen Let’s make sure you got the right stimulus amount, click Continue.
• At the screen Did you get a stimulus payment? you can update your stimulus check entries.

If the IRS issues the third stimulus payment and the bank account and mailing address on file with the IRS is incorrect, you may be able to update this information with the IRS.  

This IRS FAQ My payment was mailed but my post office was unable to deliver it. states:

Once we receive your payment back, you may be able to provide your bank account information in Get My Payment to have your payment reissued as a direct deposit.

If this is the case, then Get My Payment will show “Need More Information,” usually two to three weeks after the payment is issued. At this point, you can enter a routing and account number for your bank account, prepaid debit card or alternative financial product that has a routing and account number associated with it.

If you do not provide account information, your payment will be reissued when we receive an updated address.

If you need to update your address, the easiest way to do it is by filing your 2020 tax return with your current address, if you haven’t already done so. The fastest way to file the return and update your address is to file the return electronically.

Stimulus payment information may be available if you view or create an IRS Account.  See this.

Online Account is an online system that allows you to securely access your individual account information.  You may view: 

• The amount you owe, updated for the current calendar day
• Your balance details by year
• Your payment history and any scheduled or pending payments
• Key information from your most recent tax return
• Payment plan details, if you have one
• Digital copies of select notices from the IRS
• Your Economic Impact Payments (EIP 1 and EIP 2), if any

[angielougarcia]

What would be the best option for me? I currently live in a different country and didn't file my 2020 tax return since I stopped working in the US in 2019, but I was able to file my 2019 tax return. I prefer getting my 2nd & 3rd stimulus by getting it deposited to a checking account. Should I update it with IRS or file a federal tax for 2020? Thank you

[DMarkM1]

If you didn't get the full amount of the first or second payment you were eligible for, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return even if you aren't required to file. The third payment will not be used to calculate the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.  

Once your 2020 tax return is processed then your information will be used for the third round. 

Here is a link with more information on receiving the stimulus payments.

[angielougarcia]

Thank you, this helped me a lot. I already filed my 2020 tax and was approved, however I'm wondering how my 3rd stimulus would be sent. I already updated my bank info and address when I filed my 2020 tax return. Upon checking the get my payment tool it says there it is scheduled to be deposited on March 17 but I filed my 2020 tax on March 23 and it also shows my closed bank account on the tool. 

[LenaH]

Per the IRS, if the account was closed or no longer active, the bank is required to return the deposit of your third stimulus payment. Your payment will be issued as a check to the address the IRS has on file for you. This is generally the address on your most recent tax return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

I see from previous comments that you are out of the country. If there is any problems obtaining your third stimulus payment, you should be able to reconcile your third payment on your 2021 tax return. 

Questions and Answers about the Third Economic Impact Payment — Topic G: Receiving My Payment

@angielougarcia

[angielougarcia]

How would I know if the third stimulus has already been deposited? Upon checking on the get my payment tool, I only see scheduled to be deposited. Does that mean it has already been deposited or still processing? 

[DianeW777]

It depends. If you see scheduled to be deposited, then it indicates that it has not yet been deposited and is still being prepared for deposit.  If you know the bank account is correct it's a waiting game right now.

The IRS should use the information on your 2020 tax return. If the bank account is incorrect, and if the IRS sends the payment for deposit, the bank will return it at which time the IRS will convert it to a paper check.  This does take time.

This year has brought challenges. The IRS is required to reconcile the tax returns and stimulus payments as well as working on the third stimulus payments due to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  With the tax season and the changes taking place all at once, a delay should be expected for full payments. They want to be diligent and are required to follow any protocols they have been issued.  They will make any adjustments and additional payments as they complete the process.

[angielougarcia]

Hi, I just checked get my payment and it's reflecting the closed bank account information there. I already filed my 2020 taxes on March 23 with the new and active bank account information. 

[DMarkM1]

The normal process is once the electronic payment is rejected the stimulus payment will be sent by mail. However, the IRS may use the updated information on your 2020 tax return if the system updates before they mail the payment.   

Here is a link to start a tracer action in case you need.  I recommend waiting at least a week after your tax refund is deposited indicating your return was processed.   

[angielougarcia]

In my get my payment tool it says it is scheduled to be deposited on March 17 and my old bank account is the one reflecting on the information. I filed my 2020 tax return on March 23 with my updated bank account as well as my address. But it still hasn't been updated in my get my payment tool. I'm currently living outside the US and can't reach the international number for the IRS as well. So I'm currently waiting for my 2nd and 3rd stimulus, as for the 2nd I processed that as a recovery rebate on March 23 and is expecting to get it this month. 

What should I do if they mailed the 3rd stimulus to my old address? I'm not sure if it should reflect on the get my payment tool that "it has already been deposited", it just says "schedule to be deposited on March 17".

[DanaB27]

If it cannot be deposited into an account because it is closed then the IRS generally will mail a check to the last address on file.

If you do not receive the payment then please see How do I request a payment trace to track my third Economic Impact Payments? to request a trace.

Please be aware, the IRS is currently taking longer to process returns because they are backlogged. Please keep checking the IRS Where's My Refund? site for updates. 

@angielougarcia