stimulus checks

[cfox]

Are deceased taxpayers eligible for stimulus check?

ie. I had a spouse die in 2019 and we filed a joint return for 2019.

The wife received a stimulus payment for $2400

[Just-Lisa-Now- · Accepted solution]

Ive seen similar reports in other tax preparer groups....looks like that's how its happening....I saw one that the spouse had died in 2018 (no 2019 return filed yet) and surviving spouse got the full 2400.

[IRonMaN]

Washington evidently is a lot smarter than me.  I just quite don't know how a dead person is going to stimulate the economy, but someone in Washington evidently does.  Of course, when the dead person walks in to the bank to cash their check, some of the bank tellers might feel stimulated --------------- and leave work for the day.

[dkh]

@Just-Lisa-Now-   I have same situation for a client.  Based on what I've read the surviving spouse will NOT have to pay this back on 2020 tax return.   Is that how you understand it working?

Also, tell me how to do the " @Just-Lisa-Now-  wrote"  function.

[rbynaker]

---

@IRonMaN wrote:

Washington evidently is a lot smarter than me.  I just quite don't know how a dead person is going to stimulate the economy, but someone in Washington evidently does.

---

Duh.  They are, of course, going to spend it on 2018 energy improvements.

[rbynaker]

---

@dkh wrote:

@Just-Lisa-Now-   I have same situation for a client.  Based on what I've read the surviving spouse will NOT have to pay this back on 2020 tax return.   Is that how you understand it working?

Also, tell me how to do the " @Just-Lisa-Now-  wrote"  function.

---

We don't know for sure yet, but that's my understanding as well.

When replying, click on the "three dots" and you'll get an extra tool bar, then click on the giant " to quote.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

From everything Ive read, no repayment of stimulus on the 2020 return, even if you got too much!

[dkh]

@rbynaker  Thank you for help with the quote function and the answer

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

This little "thingy" will make what was written appear in your reply

[qbteachmt]

So, are dead spouses a Loan or a Grant? Because I would like a couple of them, please.

[Paul H]

My wife and I are in a similar boat. Her mother passed away last month but got 1,200 into her bank account yesterday. We’re really not sure what to do with it.

[RoyalK]

I have a similar issue. My mom passed last year. I filed her final tax return last month indicating that she is deceased and yesterday I received a direct deposit in the joint account we shared that was POD.

No one is available to answer calls on IRS customer service line and no information is available on line.

I don't want to be penalized by the IRS as I am the sole heir and executor of the estate.

[hannah]

My grandmother passed away Nov 2019 and I show a $1200 stimulus payment. I can't find anywhere to contact the IRS for returning this. Anybody have suggestions?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

It's part of her estate now.

[Tntlugo22]

I am in the exact same boat I don’t know if it is mine to keep the irs isn’t taking calls. Please keep me updated if you hear anything. 

[Tntlugo22]

I am in the exact situation. Please keep me updated if you hear anything on what to do. 

[Tntlugo22]

I’m in the same situation. The money went into my account because that was put on her last tax return when I filed for her after she passed. I can’t get anyone at the Irs. 

[Tntlugo22]

I’m in same situation but it was my mother. 

[AAckley19]

I am in the same situation with my father. If anyone does have additional information please post. 

[kknowles]

I'm in the same situation - stimulus for my dad went into the estate checking account. Estate is already closed but I haven't closed the account yet.

[mcarpe]

My mother passed away in 2019 my father in 2017. Is she eligable for the $1200 stimulus. The IRS does not have her bank info because she always paid.

[Tntlugo22]

Lisa do I have to return the money to the irs? I can’t get anyone on phone and my tax preparer is not answering me. 

[Jen4]

My Dad passed away in September 2019. We have a joint savings account and it had 1200 dollars in it this morning mine went to Checking,  I haven't filed his Final return yet because of the shut down . You can not talk to anyone at the IRS and I cant find any answers?? How do I pay it back or is it mine to keep?

[LnC]

Commenting to follow. My dad passed last year and my mom received 2400. She's not touching it but would also like to know what she should be doing with it. 

[Jen4]

I'm leaving it there until we find out how and if I'm supposed to have it. 

[Jessie3003]

We are in the same boat. My deceased sons 1200. Hit my account this morning. That is where he had his 2018 tax return deposited because he did not have an account. I have called IRS, HR Block.  No one seems to have an answer on what to do with this money. I appreciate all these comments as some are helpful. I will be looking on here for an update on what we are suppose to do.

[RFranceen]

I'm also replying to stay in the loop.  My mom passed away in January of 2020.  My stepdad received $2,400 in his account this morning.  I'm his power of attorney, so I'm just hoping to learn if I should set this extra money aside to be paid back, or if he will be able to keep it.

Thanks!

[Curlydvm]

I am facing the same dilemma- my mom just passed away a month ago and I just filed her 2019 taxes 2 weeks ago along with a refund form. Her stimulus check was just deposited into a bank account that also has my name on it. The government had initially deposited her last due SS payment and then retracted it, leaving me to file a refund form for beneficiaries. Will see what happens with the stimulus? 

[IRonMaN]

So far it sounds like this stimulus thing is running smooth as can be.  I'm glad they have put so much thought and research into the program to make it work so well.  I just hope the COVID 19 testing program isn't put directly into the hands of the federal government, or we will all be dead.  But then again, that isn't so bad because we will evidently still get a check for $1200.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat.  My father passed when COVID was just becoming a big issue, so he lived into the 2020 pandemic.  I'll keep an eye on this board and leave the money alone until we get further guidance.

[qbteachmt]

" and my tax preparer is not answering me. "

All of these New people making these comments seem to be Lost on the Internet. This is a forum for users of Professional Tax Preparation programs sold by Intuit.

This is not a Turbo Tax forum and not a Tax Guidance forum. You all seem to be in the wrong place.

The topic you are asking about is not going to be a Hot Topic here for "what do I do now?" Going forward, I recommend keeping an eye on the news and using a better website, such as the TurboTax forum, if that is how you prepared your own taxes. Or, stay in touch with your own Tax Professional, the person you Paid to do your work, as they will want to continue to support you.

[rbynaker]

It's an interesting dichotomy.  Lots of posts here about deceased taxpayers getting direct deposits.  Lots of posts on the Drake forums about folks with bank products NOT getting their money.

[LIsing]

My deceased husband had our tax returns going into his personal checking account, which at this time is still open.  So, that is where my stimulus check is.   The bank knows he is deceased; so, I am afraid if I try to access the money, they will know he is dead and would I be illegally withdrawing this money, even though $1,700 of it is mine?   I don't feel I can legally access his account.  Anyone have any suggestions?  

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

This sounds more like a legal question, than a tax question...are you in a community property state?

[dd4vols]

@Curlydvm   I am facing the same dilemma- my mom just passed away a month ago and I just filed her 2019 taxes 2 weeks ago along with a refund form. Her stimulus check was just deposited into a bank account that also has my name on it. The government had initially deposited her last due SS payment and then retracted it, leaving me to file a refund form for beneficiaries. Will see what happens with the stimulus? 

You should be ok.  The Stimulus Check is a 2020 Stimulus check.  Since your mom passed away in 2020, there should be no issue.  What some people are failing to recognize is that it is a 2020 event.  There will be like 3 new lines on the 2020 return.... 1) amount of stimulus payment you were due 2) amount you got, and 3) amount to be credited to your 2020 return (1 minus 2). if you got the correct amount, no issue...if you got more...best I can tell..also no issue..but if you didn't get what you should have...it is added to your 'tax payments made".... and you get credit for it. 

[sjrcpa]

So the bank doesn't know he's dead?

[mischief822]

I also received a payment for my deceased father. Filed his last taxes for 2018 and his refund was deposited to my account. Following just in case there's a resolution.

[dd4vols]

@sjrcpa So the bank doesn't know he's dead?

Better yet... does the bank know if he bought or sold any crypto-currency.....

[sjrcpa]

Contact the estate attorney for advice.

[Curlydvm]

@dd4vols Thank you so very much for your reply, time, and consideration. I am going to hold off as long as I can on using the much needed funds (to take care of her last affairs) just incase. 
I do so appreciate you and @Just-Lisa-Now-  for taking the time, however, to answer some of us as I have searched and called like many others on here to no avail, and this was the ONLY place that any such info/thread was addressing the matter. I realize it is very early in the process, but there are many of us facing desperate times or immense loss and truly need to consider use of these funds for one reason or another.

From one Vol to another- Much, much THANKS!

[qbteachmt]

"and this was the ONLY place that any such info/thread was addressing the matter."

No, it's not. Go here:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/other-financial-discussions/discussion/02/216

This is the link for Personal tax issues following Covid-19 changes.

[qbteachmt]

@IntuitAustin 

I suppose web searches are how people keep landing here, instead of finding TurboTax. Can you lock this topic, perhaps? Thanks.

[LIsing]

Thanks, I will get legal assistance. Was just throwing this out there. Thanks.

[IntuitAustin · Accepted solution]

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