Don't Mess With Taxes

While Congress is still, sort of, working on a second round of COVID-19 stimulus payments, the Internal Revenue Service is trying to get the first batch out to people who've yet to collect money for which they're eligible.

For the most part, these are individuals who usually don't have to file a tax return. Since the IRS is using this tax filing information to distribute the economic impact payments (EIPs), these non-filers are out of luck.

But they can get their data to the IRS by using the agency's online registration tool at the IRS.gov special Non-Filers: Enter Info Here web page.

Timing is everything: Doing so and soon is critical. If they want to get the money for which they qualify — would could be as much as $1,200 per person, along with an added $500 for each eligible minor child — by the end of this year, non-filers need to use the online registration tool by Nov. 21.

If these non-filers, of which there are around 9 million who already got a special mailing from the IRS about the need to register, miss the 11/21 deadline, they won't get their money until next year.

And to get it in 2021, they'll have to file a tax return and claim their economic relief amount, which technically is a federal tax credit.

Mark your EIP calendars: To get the word out about the Nov. 21 online registration deadline to claim a coronavirus payment, the IRS is highlighting another November date.

The tax agency today announced that Nov. 10 is National EIP Registration Day.

The IRS hopes that this special EIP registration day just days ahead of the Nov. 21 deadline will spur action by people who've yet to claim their coronavirus stimulus money.

The online tool is designed primarily for people with incomes of less than $12,000 if single or $24,400 for married, jointly-filing couples.

When you use the tool, you also can provide the IRS with your bank account info. That will allow the agency to deliver your relief money more quickly via direct deposit.

If you don't have a bank account, your economic relief payment will be mailed as a paper U.S. Treasury check.

Partnering participation: The agency also is utilizing partners from within and outside the tax community, including those that work with low-income and underserved communities.

The goal is for these groups to help spread the word about the Nov. 21 registration deadline and, in some cases, provide special support for people who still need to register for the payments, according to the IRS.

"Our partner groups have been a critical part of the unprecedented IRS outreach and education campaign this year to contact as many people as possible about these payments," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in the EIP Day announcement.

Expanding outreach: These EIP partner actions so far have included translating and making available stimulus information and resources in 35 languages, according to the IRS.

The agency also is planning a special push on social media to support the final registration drive in multiple languages.

The EIP bottom line, literally, is that if you haven't filed a tax return for a few years, you need to use the IRS non-filer online tool to claim your COVID-19 relief money.

Don't wait: And it's a good idea to do so as soon as possible.

Special days like the Nov. 10 EIP event are nice, but you don't have to wait for it or the absolutely final Nov. 21 registration deadline.

The sooner you get your information to the IRS, the sooner you'll get your COVID cash.

You also might find these items of interest:

• COVID EIPs await non-filers nationwide
• 1 million+ Californians top list of missed COVID payments
• Tax injured spouses to get catch-up COVID-19 economic relief

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