$ 1,200 payment if no 2018 tax return filed ?

[Lion]

Checks will be issued until the end of the year.

[ATSMAN]

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know

"payments will begin in the next three weeks"

I really can't see how people can expect to see a check in their hands in 3 weeks. At some point in time they have to cutoff the date when they check 2018 vs. 2019 returns that were accepted.

[RWG1950]

The IRS website Q&A page on stimulus payment requirements is clear as mud to me.
As I read it, it looks as if someone on social security only & not filing a tax return will still need to file a "simple" return to get their $ 1,200.
I had thought my original post's question had been answered through the default process explained earlier in the replies.
What am I missing ?

[TaxGuyBill]

The IRS website Q&A page on stimulus payment requirements is clear as mud to me.
As I read it, it looks as if someone on social security only & not filing a tax return will still need to file a "simple" return to get their $ 1,200.
I had thought my original post's question had been answered through the default process explained earlier in the replies.
What am I missing ?

The Q&A is clearly contrary to what the law says. That law specifically says that if a 2019 or 2018 tax return has not been filed, they will use the SSA-1099 (and RRB-1099).

[spanel]

Interesting. I agree with everything except "Social Security recipients" which was very specifically carved out in the law.

Not sure if I've mentioned it yet on this board, but I'm pretty convinced that in 200 years historians will look back and call this the Misinformation Era.

Rick

My software company also says they have to file a "simple return", but no guidance on that as of yet.

Chris

[Burke]

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economi...u-need-to-know At some point in time they have to cutoff the date when they check 2018 vs. 2019 returns that were accepted.

Not really. If they go by primary SSN (see my post on another thread about switching TP's on MFJ returns), they will begin with the lower SSN's, auto-check 2019, then 2018, then SSA-1099. This apparently will continue until all taxpayers/SS recipients are completed. It's the only way it can work for these advance payments. The computers should be able to handle it.

[dtlee]

Apparently, the IRS is still reading through the legislation:

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm967

Social Security Recipients do not need to find and file this "Simple Tax Return."

[Lion]

Not only is the legislation changing almost daily and the regulations changing daily, but now the regulations are starting to change back to what they were on an earlier date!

[ATSMAN]

For folks getting Soc. Security they already have their DD info so it makes no sense for them to file the Simple Return. And I guess it does not matter if you took your mother as other dependent on your tax return.