Deadline For Stimulus Checks Extended, IRS Searching For At Least 9 Million Americans

The Internal Revenue Service has extended the deadline for registering for a stimulus check, giving U.S. residents who did not receive a $1,200 payment authorized under the CARES Act more time to provide the IRS with mailing or deposit instructions.

The IRS on Monday changed the deadline from Oct. 15 to Nov. 21, extending the economic impact payment program for five additional weeks. The only other way to recoup the payment is to wait until 2020 taxes are filed in the spring.

"We took this step to provide more time for those who have not yet received a payment to register to get their money, including those in low-income and underserved communities," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a press release. "The IRS is deeply involved in processing and programming that overlaps filing seasons.”

Rettig said there would be no further extension because of the impact it would have on income tax filing season.

The deadline extension is for people who have yet to receive a check. People can file for the money here. The extension is aimed at people who don’t normally file income tax returns. Even qualified resident aliens are eligible.

The extension comes as House Democrats and the White House held negotiations on the next round of economic stimulus, including a second round of $1,200 checks, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell urged Congress to move ahead on the stimulus to boost recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession.

Last month, the IRS sent 9 million letters to people who may be eligible for the checks, typically those who receive little to no income and are not required to file tax returns – individuals who earn less than $12,200 annually or married couples who earn less than $24,400.

"Time is running out for those who don't normally file a tax return to get their payments," Rettig warned.

Most taxpayers automatically received the stimulus checks.

To qualify, filers need a valid Social Security number, must not show up as a dependent on anyone else’s return, and have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less for an individual or $112,500 if head of household or $150,000 for a couple filing a joint return. Reduced payments are available for those earning more up to a ceiling of $99,000 for individuals, $136,500 for heads of households and $198,000 for a married couple filing a joint return.

Registration for an additional $500 per dependent expired Sept. 30.