Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I didn't receive either stimulus check and I just got off the phone with the IRS and was told if I file a 2020 tax return I could get them, maybe. When I went on disability in 2019, I talked to a tax professional and was told I would never have to file taxes again. To say I'm aggravated would be an understatement. Oh well, I hope you all have a nice day.

Triple G

There was supposed to be coordination between SS admin, IRS and Treasury to get all the records necessary for the stimulus check mail outs. There was a tool out on the IRS site to get your info in the system, but that has closed.

There’s a new tool out there now.

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Thank you for your reply.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

From Poe: Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.

Although a tax professional may tell you something - remember that they are on tap for your audits if required, so they do everything they can to ensure they are not audited... Study the tax laws until you understand them - then make the decision... If nothing else, file an EZ showing you owe nothing - it keeps you in the system for proof of filing which will protect you if there is a computer glitch that pops up saying you owe back taxes because of failure to file...

rwags18 Loc: Oregon

My mother is disabled and hasn’t had to file taxes for years. She received hers in her bank account that she receives her disability payment. That was the standard set with both stimulus payments. You should have received them in the same method you receive your disability payments. If not, I would contact the IRS again and set them straight.

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

I believe you have to be single and no other income and on disability not to file.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I meet that criteria.

Robg

What an ignorant thing to say. Insulting too! (Please apologize.)

As a volunteer tax preparer with AARP I can assure you that avoiding an audit is the last thing that I and the other tax preparers with whom I work are thinking about when we help someone prepare their taxes.

The real reason that it is so difficult for anyone, including professional tax preparers, to "get it right" is the insane complexity of our tax laws. Blame our legislators who pass laws they don't bother to read ("We've got to pass it to find out what's in it.") and the IRS.

Here are a couple of illustrations of how bad this complexity is:
1. AARP has provided us with a 6 page flow chart, in tiny type, as an aid in determining whether a dependent is a "qualifying child" or a "qualifying relative". 6 Pages! Once you get into this chart, you'll be surprised to find that in some cases a relative is not a "qualifying relative" but a "qualifying child." Talk about newspeak!
2. When two different tax professionals are given the same information about a taxpayer along with that taxpayer's documentation (W-2, 1099, etc.) it is rare that they end up with the same tax or refund. And the differences can be significant. That is true even for the most highly qualified preparers and for IRS professionals.

That last finding has been supported by numerous research studies and is the reason that AARP, for example, requires every tax return that we do be prepared by two preparers.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

To you volunteers - I apologize - since your organization does not rely on tax preparations as their sole source of income, I would expect that your outlook is different than that of an employee that is told to make sure the customer is happy, there are no audits and the customer returns. Different focus from the corporation will result in a different focus by the employee.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Bob, both stimulus payments are considered "refundable credits" and if you did NOT receive either or both payments (assuming you qualified based on income/filing status), you will need to file a 2020 Form 1040. The amounts you should have received but did not receive belong on line 30 of the 1040. Your tax professional may very well be correct that you are not REQUIRED to file tax returns. HOWEVER, in the case of refundable credits, you MUST file a tax return in order to receive the money.

Edit - I was a Tax Accountant for more than 50 years.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

According to Bob's OP, he went on disability in 2019. Thus, there is more than likely a timing issue involved that caused him to have NOT received his payment(s) in his bank account via direct deposit.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Excellent info on that IRS link!

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Thank you for the info.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

You are VERY welcome. Feel free to PM me if you need to.

Triple G

I agree.