Many US Expats have been wondering when will they get their Stimulus Check. Good news is that the IRS has already started sending out economic stimulus payments authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to The Washington Post, the IRS also has a timetable for getting checks to every American who is entitled to one. Unfortunately, though, not everyone gets their payment right away. In fact, it looks like some Americans won’t get stimulus money until September.
Direct Deposit Payments Are Going Out Now
The IRS has already started issuing electronic Stimulus Checks through direct deposit. More payments should arrive in taxpayers’ bank accounts in the next couple of weeks.
Will you get an electronic payment? It depends on whether the IRS has your bank account information. If you signed up for direct deposit of a refund on your 2018 or 2019 tax return, then the IRS has all the information it needs to pay you Stimulus Check electronically. If you haven’t filed your 2019 return yet, you still might have time to file before the IRS issues your payment. You might even get a bigger Stimulus Check if you file your 2019 tax return now. (On the other hand, you could get more money by waiting to file your return–it all depends on your own situation.)
The IRS also has an online “Get My Payment” tool where you can check your Stimulus Check status, confirm your payment type (direct deposit or paper check), and enter your bank account information for direct deposit if the IRS doesn’t already have that information and they haven’t sent your payment yet.
If you receive Social Security benefits and typically don’t file a tax return, the IRS will use information from your Social Security benefits statement to calculate the Stimulus Check amount. They will also send your stimulus payment electronically if that’s how you normally receive your Social Security payments.
For other people who usually don’t file a tax return, the IRS has an online portal where you can file a “simple return” to provide your bank account information.
If a direct deposit payment is rejected (e.g., if the bank account information is incorrect), the IRS will mail you a paper Stimulus Check instead.
Paper Stimulus Check Will Take Longer
If the IRS has to send you a paper Stimulus Check, you won’t get your payment until late April at best. And the higher your income, the longer it will take to get your money. (For taxpayers without children, Stimulus Check amounts are reduced to zero for single taxpayers with adjusted gross income above $99,000, head-of-household filers with AGI above $136,500, and joint filers with AGI above $198,000.)
According to reports, here’s the timetable the IRS plans to use for mailing paper Stimulus Check:
IRS Schedule For Mailing Paper Checks
Taxpayer Income Date Check Mailed
| $0 to $10,000 | April 24 |
| $10,001 to $20,000 | May 1 |
| $20,001 to $30,000 | May 8 |
| $30,001 to $40,000 | May 15 |
| $40,001 to $50,000 | May 22 |
| $50,001 to $60,000 | May 29 |
| $60,001 to $70,000 | June 5 |
| $70,001 to $80,000 | June 12 |
| $80,001 to $90,000 | June 19 |
| $90,001 to $100,000 | June 26 |
| $100,001 to $110,000 | July 3 |
| $110,001 to $120,000 | July 10 |
| $120,001 to $130,000 | July 17 |
| $130,001 to $140,000 | July 24 |
| $140,001 to $150,000 | July 31 |
| $150,001 to $160,000 | August 7 |
| $160,001 to $170,000 | August 14 |
| $170,001 to $180,000 | August 21 |
| $180,001 to $190,000 | August 28 |
| $190,001 to $200,000 | September 4 |
| All Others | September 11 |
As far as I understand the USPS is not sending out any international mail at this time. So why is no one informing Citizens aboard of this? At this point it doesn’t matter when the paper check is mailed because it’s all just sitting in the post offices. Therefore anyone aboard won’t see the paper check until possibly Sept, given there aren’t any complications. I feel us aboard are given a false sense of hope on the matter. I entered my info too late (due to the tool not working) and missed my chance of Direct Deposit by only 5 days. I have no way to check the USPS Tracking tool as it is only available to U.S. Address. And I have no way of knowing if they will reverse my paper check and send Direct Deposit. Most folks aboard should be informed that USPS is currently unable to send out mail. It is quite frustrating. The countries they are not delivering to can be found on the USPS website.
Hi Tia! Yes, the IRS’ system has a lot of room for improvement. There is nothing we can do but wait.
Hi Tia,
I’m a US expat living in Belgium, and today (May 18) I received a paper stimulus check in the mail.
I have not read anything about expats receiving paper checks, so I am wondering if it is legit…
Hi Drew! Yes, US expats are also eligible to receive the stimulus check.
Hello Tia,
My situation is the same as yours. Can you perhaps email me and we can share our experiences with this?
Thanks.
That’s exactly my scenario. Tried all options and back to square one( wait).
The First Q is : will the IRS mail paper checks to addresses abroad taken from the SSA data, since the IRS has no data for Non Filers (Legal Non Filers). The Second Q is Q : Will the IRS change their policy and do Direct Deposit to Foreign Banks through CITIBANK EUROPE PLC IRELAND which is the Bank SSA uses to direct Deposit SSA benefits.
I THINK WE SHOULD WRITE TO OUR SENATORS BACK HOME
A
Hi Andreas! No, it will be sent to the mailing address on your tax return. I haven’t heard about the IRS considering changes in their policy regarding the Direct Deposit.
When will I get my check
Hi Roxana! If you don’t get a check or get less than you thought, you can make a claim on your 2021 tax return. You can call the IRS and get their feedback on it.
Here it is June 9th in Brazil
..have not received my stimulus check by mail nor by direct deposit ..receive my social security benefit by direct deposit to a foreign bank..IRS should have my bank info and address passed to them by social security administration..
Get my payment doesn’t recognize foreign addresses nor postal codes..
Forbes magazine states that the IRS doesn’t deposit money into foreign accounts..however treasury deposits my monthly benefit Into a foreign bank here.
None of the IRS 800 numbers..call center work at all to get any type of information.
Frustrating for expats to say the least..
This was supposed to be seamless..for social security recipients and other expats..not so..
Does anyone know if the IRS has changed their mind..to deposit stimulus money to the foreign bank accounts of expats…? Or will they mail checks to the addresses that coincide with the information provided by social security to the IRS.?
Be great to hear from someone who might have some answers..
Best of luck to all!!
Bill
Hi Bill! No, the IRS does not deposit the stimulus check to foreign bank accounts. The check will be sent to the address on your 2018 and 2019 tax returns.
I have checked my GET MY PAYMENT status every week for the past few months. It keeps saying that they sent the check on May 1st. One month later and I still haven’t received it. There’s no one to contact at the IRS and now it seems like they don’t mail checks to those of us who live abroad? They have no problem sending mail to me when it’s about them receiving payments. Is there any way to get in touch with them to figure this out?
Hi Victoria! You can find more information about the stimulus checks and contact numbers to the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance
Hello… I am trying to help my Us citizen brother living abroad in Mexico whom has not received any stimulus monies. He is on Social Security and receives his monthly benefits through his Mexican bank account. He says the money goes from the social security/ US Treasury to FBU-Federal Benefits Unit Mexico into his Mexican bank account every month yet he has not seen any stimulus money nor can get any anwsers or help.
Pls help
Hi Karin! If he filed his 2018 or 2019 tax return and has a US bank account, he should have received the check already. If he doesn’t have a US bank account, he should receive it in the mail. A lot of Expats are still waiting for their check. If he doesn’t receive the check, he can claim it on his tax return next year. He should contact the IRS.
Hi Oliver
Thanks for the info
My story..I am a USA citizen senior retiree living abroad, SS sendS my money thru direct deposit to my foreing bank every 3th of the month,,,,,I try all web pages ,,name them..Even waltdisney webpage (sarcasm)
I am very frustrated I feel like I am dead for the goverment,, ANY HEADS UP?
Thanks again Oliver
Hi Jacob! Can you please expand on your question? I don’t understand.
I’m still waiting on mines the IRS Summitted my Non filers and when I check the status it say payment not available
Hi Tamara! You can call the IRS and get their feedback on it.
I’ve heard so much about all these stimulus checks and that there may be more on the way. I can’t sort rumors from facts. Do expats get a 1 time stimulus check or are there others coming as well?
Hi Daniel! No, the IRS has not announced sending out more checks. You can check the IRS’ website for accurate information.
My son is a grad student living and working in Canada. The IRS site says his check was scheduled to be mailed on April 24. It’s mid June and he has still received nothing. He filed 2019 taxes online before the stimulus checks started to be disbursed. He also amended his return to change his mailing address to the family home in the U.S., but the portal recognized him by his Canadian address so we’re assuming that’s where his check was mailed. It certainly has never been received here in the U.S. I can’t imagine standard mail between the U.S. and Canada taking two months even in these times — they aren’t using ships to transport it, heh. At what point does he consider it lost? It’s going to be such a hassle to get it replaced, I’m sure.
Hi Pamela! Unfortunately, I would simply wait for it to show up. If the year ends and he still didn’t receive it, it would become a refundable tax credit on his 2020 tax return.
Hi Oliver,
My situation is described above, as I am a SS recipient living abroad.
I get monthly SS check for me and my son (now 16), and make no other money.
My SS benefit money arrives through Direct Deposit here in Costa Rica; And, as others say, the IRS has all the info, and could deposit the $1,200 plus $500 for kid in my bank here, but their policy does not allow….not sure why.
So, you say they can mail a check to a US address…I have none…
How will it be possible to receive the Stimulus money ?? Check or otherwise?
Some are suggesting opening an international bank account…and then filing income taxes…all of which would be a great burden, and very difficult to do…and would also be shameful on the part of the US govt., when all they
have to do is send the money via the Direct Deposit account that already exists between the Social Security Administration and myself.
Hi James!
The IRS has already scheduled payments to taxpayers based on Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs (C&P) benefit payments will be scheduled shortly for payment in mid-May. However, the window has closed to use this tool for these recipients who have a child and don’t normally file a tax return. These recipients who do not receive a payment that includes up to $500 for any qualifying children can file a tax return next year to determine their payment based on 2020 and claim any additional amount they weren’t paid this year.
I have received my stimulus check and would like to deposit it in a German bank account. However, I am uncertain about where to find the 1. check number, 2. account number, and 3. BIC (or most likely SWIFT) information on the US treasury check. As this is a foreign check, I am required to provide this information on a form for my bank. Any idea where I can find this?
Hi Mary! The ACH, account number and check numbers are at the bottom of the check.
Hi Oliver, My inlaws are retired and receive SS, they live abroad and get their SS monthly benefits deposited in a Dominican bank account, they do not file a tax return. The mail system does not work in this country. How will they receive their stimulus money?
Hi Naomi! They need to apply for it. https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments.
Greetings from an expat in Japan on Social Security who is a non-filer . I receive monthly payments via direct deposit to my Japanese bank . I understand that IRS does not do direct deposit to foreign banks so assumed I would get a check with info the IRS would get from the SSA . It’s July 4th and nothing yet . I’ve contacted Congrescritters , Seantors , and others and not one responded . Have you any info re: cases such as mine ?
Hi John! Yes, you need to apply for it. https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
Hi. I’m an American living in Hungary. I received the letter saying I am entitled to the $2400 payment for me and my spouse and that it was sent. But, I never received the check. Get Payment on irs.gov says it was mailed on May 15. It has been almost 2 months. They must have my proper address because I received the letter. On irs.gov that it also says to request tracking if you are in a foreign country and have not received it in 9 weeks. Your thoughts? Also, I have seen you say a couple of times in the comments that we can claim it on our 2020 return if we don’t receive the check. Where can I read about this? This is the first time I’ve heard it. Many thanks.
Hi Phil! You are correct in that you will be able to claim it on your 2020 tax return. The details are yet to be released, however (the law has been passed but the 2020 tax forms will only be released in late January 2021).
Greetings from overseas and am grateful you are taking my question. We are US citizens and we live in Poland. She filed a 2019 paper 1040 return four months ago for a direct deposit in our US bank account. Nothing yet. Any guesstimate as to when it may arrive? We thank you for your help.
Hi John! You should contact the IRS.
I have ssi deposited every monts to foreign bank acc.
I have foreign address also.
Do irs used information from ssi and send eip check to my foreign address.
Hi Mubera! No, if you did not file your 2018 and/or 2019 tax return, you must apply for it. https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
Good day from Cairo, Egypt. I am a US senior citizen non-filer retiree living abroad and a Social Security pension recipient. I receive monthly payments directly deposited promptly into an Egyptian bank account at the beginning of each monthly. I understand that IRS does not do direct deposit to foreign banks so assumed I would get a paper check with info the IRS would get from the SSA. It’s August 4th 2020 and received nothing yet. Kindly advise the mechanism and /or link through which I can inquire about the stimulus check whereabouts knowing that US Postal Service is on hold for the time being? Thanks
Hi M. Rashwan! If you haven’t applied for it yet, you should do so here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here. Else, contact the IRS.