IRS Clarifies ‘Payment Status Not Available’ For Stimulus Check (Updated)

By Amit Chowdhry • Apr 20, 2020
  • The IRS has updated its “Get My Payment” app with clarification about the “payment status not available” message

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (also known as the CARES Act) is a law passed by the House, Senate, and signed by President Trump as a way to provide emergency assistance and a health care response for families and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the law, a tax credit is being provided to eligible individuals in the form of a stimulus check. The IRS was designated to make $1,200 payments to eligible individuals, $2,400 for married couples filing jointly, and $500 for each dependent who is a qualifying child under age 17 as of December 31, 2020.

Several days ago, the IRS launched a new “Get My Payment” app and there were reports about people not being able to input their bank account information for direct deposit of the stimulus checks. The website was displaying an error that said: “Payment Status Not Available.”

Recently, the IRS updated its FAQ with information about why the ‘Payment Status Not Available’ error was showing up. Here is what it says:

“The Get My Payment application will return “Payment Status Not Available” for several reasons, including:

  • You are required to file a tax return, but:
    • We haven’t finished processing your 2019 return
    • The application doesn’t yet have your data; we’re working on adding more data to allow more people to use it.
  • You don’t usually file a return, and:
    • You used Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here but we haven’t processed your entry yet
    • You receive an SSA or RRB Form 1099 or SSI or VA benefits; information has not been loaded onto our systems yet for people who don’t normally file a tax return.
  • You’re not eligible for a payment

We update Get My Payment data once per day, overnight so there is no need to check more often. If you are eligible for a payment and have provided your information either through a recent tax return or the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here application, please check back for updates.”

Who is eligible for the stimulus check? You have to be a U.S. resident and have a work-eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for head of household filers or $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns. And taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI is between $75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately; $112,500 and $136,500 for head of household; or $150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly.

The reduced payment amount will be based upon the taxpayers specific adjusted gross income. And eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans’ benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This includes those who have no income as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs like Supplemental Security Income benefits. Retirees who receive either Social Security retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically.

Updated: When will you get your check? (Based on 2019 income if filed or 2018 / Source: Fool.com):
Week ending April 17 – If IRS has your direct deposit info

Week ending April 24 – Paper checks for people with up to $10,000 in AGI

Week ending May 1 – Between $10,000 AGI and $20,000 AGI

Week ending May 8 – Between $20,000 AGI and $30,000 AGI

Week ending May 15 – Between $30,000 AGI and $40,000 AGI

Week ending May 22 – Between $40,000 AGI and $50,000 AGI

Week ending May 29 – Between $50,000 AGI and $60,000 AGI

Week ending June 5 – Between $60,000 AGI and $70,000 AGI

Week ending June 12 – Between $70,000 AGI and $80,000 AGI

Week ending June 19 – Between $80,000 AGI and $90,000 AGI

Week ending June 26 – Between $90,000 AGI and $100,000 AGI

Week ending July 3 – Between $100,000 AGI and $110,000 AGI

Week ending July 10 – Between $110,000 AGI and $120,000 AGI

Week ending July 10 – Between $120,000 AGI and $130,000 AGI

Week ending July 17 – Between $120,000 AGI and $130,000 AGI

Week ending July 24 – Between $130,000 AGI and $140,000 AGI

Week ending July 31 – Between $140,000 AGI and $150,000 AGI

Week ending August 7 – Between $150,000 AGI and $160,000 AGI

Week ending August 14 – Between $160,000 AGI and $170,000 AGI

Week ending August 21 – Between $170,000 AGI and $180,000 AGI

Week ending August 28 – Between $180,000 AGI and $190,000 AGI

Week ending September 4 – Between $190,000 AGI and $198,000 AGI

Week ending September 11 – All other checks