Stimulus payments are being received. Here’s how to make sure you receive one

Many people are still waiting on their economic stimulus checks from the government. Those eligible will receive a deposit or check up to $1,200 per person, or $2,400 per married couple and up to $500 per child. 

Those eligible for the full payment include tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds.

According to the IRS: "Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible. Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are otherwise not required to file a tax return are also eligible and will not be required to file a return."

The Treasury Department says 80 million should be receiving their stimulus payments via direct deposit this week. And for some, those dollars can’t come soon enough.

“I almost broke down crying because I’m out of a job right now. And then my unemployment they messed up with something,” said Sheena Perry.

Perry is a mother of five and says she checked her account Monday around noon to find $4,900 added from the IRS. “There was nothing extra that we needed to do. We filed our taxes through e-file dot com,” she said. 

Sergio Tapia, a father of three, says he’s been checking his account every day for a week. On Monday, he also received his stimulus check in the amount of $3,900. “For me especially it was a relief because I have been laid off since march 15th,” he said. He added that he did not receive an email or notification, he just logged on to his checking account and saw the direct deposit from the IRS. 

If you filed your 2018 or 2019 tax returns and have also authorized a direct deposit, you could also be among the first to see a payment show up in your account. 

As for low income families that don’t normally file returns, they could miss out on their stimulus check altogether if they don’t utilize a new online tool found here. The portal online makes it easy for eligible people who have not filed returns to input their basic information and then receive a payment. 

For those that have filed returns but not authorized a direct deposit, the IRS is coming out with a online portal later this week where users can upload bank information. This will expedite the electronic direct deposit so those eligible don’t have to wait for a paper check. Continue to check back for this feature by clicking here.