What should I do if I've received a Covid-19 Stimulus Check for a deceased person?
It has come to our attention that some of our clients have received an Economic Impact Payment, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), for a person who is no longer living.
If you receive an Economic Impact Payment for a person who is no longer living, do not cash the check or use the funds.
According to the Internal Revenue Service Website, a deceased person is not eligible to receive the payment.
A Payment made to someone who died before receipt of the Payment should be returned to the IRS by following the instructions about repayments. Return the entire Payment unless the Payment was made to joint filers and one spouse had not died before receipt of the Payment, in which case, you only need to return the portion of the Payment made on account of the decedent. This amount will be $1,200 unless adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000.
The Internal Revenue Service Website provides the following instructions for returning the payment:
If the payment was a paper check:
Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.
If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:
Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.
Montana residents can mail the voided check, personal check, money order, etc. to the Internal Revenue Service at the following address:
Kansas City Refund Inquiry Unit
333 W Pershing Rd
Mail Stop 6800, N-2
Kansas City, MO 64108
Post Last Updated: May 6, 2020
Disclaimer: This information was obtained from the Internal Revenue Service Website on May 6th, 2020. In acknowledgment of the rapidly changing situation, Scott, Tokerud & McCarty, P.C. does not guarantee the ongoing accuracy of this information and encourages individuals to visit
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center for up-to-date information.
