Americans who don’t normally file a tax return now have more time to apply for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP). The Internal Revenue Service this week announced that the deadline for non-filers to send EIP-qualifying information has been extended to November 21, 2020.
Congress passed the CARES Act early in the pandemic, which provides a one-time payment of up to $1,200 for qualifying filers—even those who don’t normally file a tax return. In an effort to make it easier for non-filers to timely send their information to the IRS, the agency created the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool.
While the window is closing to apply for an EIP and use the tool, the IRS has given non-filers another month to register.
Who can use the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool?
“The Non-Filers tool is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else,” the IRS explains. “This includes couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.”
Those who want to get their EIP as fast as possible will need to select direct deposit. Otherwise, the IRS says filers will need to wait for a check to arrive in the mail. Regardless of how an EIP is issued, payment status can be tracked with Get My Payment two weeks after applying.
What is the EIP-application deadline for those who normally file a return?
According to the IRS, “[the November 21, 2020 deadline] is solely for those who have not received their EIP and don’t normally file a tax return. For taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their 2019 tax return, that deadline date remains October 15.”
Don’t expect for this new deadline to get pushed back further. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig says “any further extension beyond November would adversely impact our work on the 2020 and 2021 filing seasons.”
Source: IR-2020-229
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