Veterans Receiving VA Benefits Will Automatically Receive Stimulus Checks
No action is needed by most VA benefit recipients in order to receive an economic impact payment from the IRS.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter
The IRS announced that veterans and their beneficiaries who receive compensation and pension benefit payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will receive a $1,200 stimulus payment with no further action needed on their part. (Although the timing of the payments is still undetermined.)
Up until now, it was thought that VA benefit recipients who didn't file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 would have to use the IRS's "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" tool (opens in new tab) to provide information necessary to process their stimulus check payment. However, the IRS will now be able to get most of the information it needs from the VA.
For VA benefit recipients with children 16 years old or younger, an extra step is needed to add $500 per child onto their automatic payment of $1,200 if they didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return. These veterans should use the online tool for non-filers as soon as possible to let the IRS know about their children. Veterans who do not provide their information to the IRS soon will receive their $500 per child at a later date, depending on when they complete the registration process.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
VA benefit recipients will generally receive the automatic payments in the same manner that they receive their current benefits. In other words, if VA benefits are directly deposited into your bank account, then the stimulus payment will be electronically paid, too. If you receive your benefits by paper check, then you'll also receive a stimulus check.
Many non-tax filing VA beneficiaries have already used the "Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here" tool to provide basic personal information to receive their payments. According to the IRS, there will be no interruption to payments being processed. Veterans are also encouraged to continue providing information and tracking their payments through the "Get My Payment" tool (opens in new tab). (For information about this tool, see Track Your Stimulus Check with the IRS's "Get My Payment" Tool.)
Rocky was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023. He has more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, he worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky has a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
-
A Retirement Income Distribution Plan Is as Critical as Saving
Designing a strategy to efficiently use your retirement savings is a critical step on your retirement planning journey to maximize your income and ensure a long-lasting retirement.
By Bradley Rosen • Published
-
The Markets Were Miserable Last Year, But That’s Great News
It’s all about perspective. Hopefully, you learned that your financial plan can withstand market downturns. If not, now you know you need to make adjustments.
By Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP • Published
-
Can the Earned Income Tax Credit Help You?
The earned income tax credit (EITC) can help people with low-to-moderate income but it can also increase IRS audit risk.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Last updated
-
Tax Season is Here. What to Know Before You File
The IRS is accepting tax returns for the 2023 tax season, but there are some key things to know before you file.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
Child Tax Credit Changes and FAQs for Your 2022 Tax Return
Tax Breaks The bigger and better child tax credit for 2021 is gone, replaced by a new set of rules for taking the credit on 2022 returns.
By Joy Taylor • Published
-
When Can You File Taxes in 2023?
tax filing If you're an early bird when it comes to filing your tax return, there's good news from the IRS.
By Rocky Mengle • Published
-
The IRS Issued 12 Million Tax Refunds for 2020: Here's Why
An unemployment tax break caused the IRS to issue $14.8 billion in tax refunds.
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
New EV Tax Credit Gets Complicated for 2023
More car models qualify for the full federal electric vehicle tax credit for a little while, but then what?
By Kelley R. Taylor • Published
-
When Are Taxes Due in 2023? Tax Deadlines by Month
tax deadline Know the tax deadlines that apply to you, so you don't get hit with IRS penalties or miss out on a valuable tax break.
By Rocky Mengle • Published
-
State "Stimulus Checks" in 2023 – Which States Are Still Sending Payments
Residents in a handful of states could still receive a tax rebate check or other payment in 2023.
By Rocky Mengle • Last updated