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Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
(TAP)
Want to improve
the IRS?¨SPEAK
UP
By Andrea Price, TAP member representing Ohio
Guest Column
The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is comprised of civic-minded
citizen volunteers from all walks of life representing each
state, D.C., Puerto Rico and an international member
(citizens living, working or doing business abroad). TAP is
a Federal Advisory Committee whose mission is to listen to
taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues and make suggestions
for improving the IRS service and customer satisfaction.
Everyone has something to say about taxes and the IRS.
Please take a moment to give us your suggestions for TAP
to consider by contacting one of the following:
TAP Ohio member:
tapohioandreaprice@gmail.com
Call Toll-free at:1-888-912-1227
Website:
www.improveirs.org
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this issue will focus on
questions regarding the economic impact payments: IR-2020-61
Who is eligible for the economic impact payment?
Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for
individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing
joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with
income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by
$5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds.
Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for
joint filers with no children are not eligible.
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or
2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment
of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married
couples. Parents also receive $500 for each qualifying
child.
If your income was over the limit for 2019 and your income
dropped because you lost your job, you will be eligible to
go back to IRS in 2021 to get your payments.
How will the IRS know where to send my payment?
For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns,
the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment
amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for
2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax
filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment
will be deposited directly into the same banking account
reflected on the return filed. For those people who get
their refunds through prepaid debit cards should make sure
that the account is active. Fifteen days after the payment
is process, the IRS goal is sent a letter to confirm that
the payment was received.
The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What
can I do?
In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based
portal for individuals to provide their banking information
to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments
immediately as opposed to checks in the mail. If you do not
have internet access since the public libraries are closed,
you will have to find someone with access to help you.
I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I
still receive my payment?
Yes. People who receive Social Security payments will
automatically have their refunds deposited as usual.
Where can I get more information?
The IRS has a reduced staff (many working from home and many
on temporary leave) in many of its offices and you probably
will not be able to get through the toll-free phone lines.
Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather
than calling IRS assistors who are helping process 2019
returns. The IRS offices are closed to taxpayers during this
pandemic crisis.
IRS issues warning about Coronavirus-related scams; watch
out for schemes tied to economic impact payments
"We urge people to take extra care during this period. The IRS isn't
going to call you asking to verify or provide your financial
information so you can get an economic impact payment or
your refund faster," said IRS Commissioner
Chuck Rettig. "That also applies to surprise emails that
appear to be coming from the IRS.
Remember, don't open them or click on attachments or
links. Go to IRS.gov
for the most up-to-date information."
The IRS reminds taxpayers not to fall prey to scammers and
avoid the following:
·
If someone emphasize the words “Stimulus Check” or “Stimulus
Payment.” The official term is economic impact payment.
·
Ask the taxpayer to sign over their economic impact payment
check to them.
·
Ask by phone, email, text or social media for verification
of personal and/or banking information saying that the
information is needed to receive or speed up their economic
impact payment. IRS mail letters to taxpayers.
·
Suggest that they can get a tax refund or economic impact
payment faster by working on the taxpayer’s behalf. This
scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
·
Mail the taxpayer a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount,
then tell the taxpayer to call a number or verify
information online in order to cash it.
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