Social Security Recipients Will Now Automatically Receive Stimulus Check Payments, IRS Says

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts.

Earlier this week the IRS had stated Social Security recipients who typically do not file a tax return would need to file a simple tax return to receive the payment.

“Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return do not need to take an action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.

The IRS said it will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.

Please note that this is a changing situation, and readers should review the latest updates on the IRS’ website at: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus