What to Do If You Get a Stimulus Check for a Deceased Person
The IRS sent more than 1 million stimulus checks to dead people. If you received one for a family member who passed away, there are certain steps you must take right away.


The IRS sent nearly 1.1 million stimulus checks – totaling about $1.4 billion – to dead people. And that's just through April. When stimulus checks were approved in late March, the tax agency worked feverishly to get payments out the door as quickly as possible. Well, haste makes waste. By focusing so much on speed, the IRS left a few holes wide open … like sending checks to dead people.
People who receive checks for relatives who are no longer with us are scratching their heads wondering what they should do with the money. Keep it? Deposit it into an estate account? Send it back? Donate it to charity? Something else? Fortunately, the IRS has specific guidance on what to do if you receive a stimulus check for a deceased person.
Who Needs to Return a Stimulus Payment
The IRS says that a stimulus payment made to someone who died before receiving it should be returned to the government. The entire payment should be returned, unless it was made payable to joint filers and one spouse is still alive. In that case, you only need to return the portion of the payment made on account of the deceased person. This amount will be $1,200, unless your joint adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000.

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.
If You Received a Paper Check and Have Not Cashed It
If you received a paper stimulus check, and you have not cashed it, follow these steps:
- Write "Void" in the endorsement section on the back of the check;
- Mail the voided check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below;
- Don't staple, bend, or paper clip the check; and
- Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.
Cashed Paper Checks and Direct Deposit Payments
If the payment was by paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit, follow these steps:
- Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below;
- Make the check/money order payable to "U.S. Treasury";
- Write "2020EIP" and the deceased person's taxpayer identification number (social security number or individual taxpayer identification number) on the check or money order; and
- Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the payment.
Where to Send the Returned Payment
Here are the IRS mailing addresses to use for returning stimulus check payments.
If you live in… | Mail to this address |
---|---|
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont | Andover Refund Inquiry Unit1310 Lowell St.Mail Stop 666AAndover, MA 01810 |
Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia | Atlanta Refund Inquiry Unit4800 Buford Hwy.Mail Stop 112Chamblee, GA 30341 |
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas | Austin Refund Inquiry Unit3651 S Interregional Hwy. 35Mail Stop 6542Austin, TX 78741 |
New York | Brookhaven Refund Inquiry Unit5000 Corporate Ct.Mail Stop 547Holtsville, NY 11742 |
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming | Fresno Refund Inquiry Unit5045 E Butler Ave.Mail Stop B2007Fresno, CA 93888 |
Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia | Kansas City Refund Inquiry Unit333 W Pershing Rd.Mail Stop 6800, N-2Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee | Memphis Refund Inquiry Unit5333 Getwell Rd.Mail Stop 8422Memphis, TN 38118 |
District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island | Philadelphia Refund Inquiry Unit2970 Market St.DP 3-L08-151Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
A foreign country, U.S. possession or territory, or use an APO or FPO address, or file Form 2555 or 4563, or are a dual-status alien | Austin Refund Inquiry Unit3651 S Interregional Hwy. 35Mail Stop 6542 AUSCAustin, TX 78741 |
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky 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 holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
Customer Services are Strained at the SSA, You Should Plan Around These Federal Holidays
If you have a question or need information from a federal agency, check the federal holiday schedule to make sure you get your business done before they close.
By Donna LeValley
-
Stock Market Today: No 'Powell Put'? No Problem
Investors, traders and speculators look beyond both another Trump post and more signs of slowing economic activity.
By David Dittman
-
How Many IRS Commissioners Have We Gone Through This Year?
IRS Who were the former commissioners, and why did they resign? Find out how IRS turnover can impact your taxes.
By Kate Schubel
-
Which Generation Pays the Most Tax in the US?
Tax Burden Polls show that most people feel like taxes are unfair. But which age group bears the brunt of the tax burden in the United States?
By Kelley R. Taylor
-
Here’s How the Trump Harvard IRS Tax Threat Could Impact You
Tax Law Trump's latest higher education showdown raises fundamental questions that could reach beyond nonprofit tax status.
By Kelley R. Taylor
-
Tax Day 2025: Don’t Miss These Freebies, Food Deals and Discounts
Tax Day You can score some sweet deals on April 15 in some select restaurants like Burger King, Shake Shack, and more.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
-
Tax Time: Does Your Kid Influencer Owe Taxes?
State Tax Some minors are making big money on social media. Here’s how to know if they need to file taxes.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
-
Ask the Editor: Reader Questions — IRAs, RMDs and PTPs.
Ask the Editor: Taxes, April 11, 2025 — Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions on Roth IRAs, RMDs and other retirement accounts.
By Joy Taylor
-
Trump Plans to Terminate IRS Direct File program
Tax Filing Direct File was piloted last year in 12 states and has since expanded to 25. But some wonder whether the program will last under the Trump administration.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez
-
Did Florida’s Chance at $1,000 in Property Tax Rebates Vanish?
State Taxes The Florida Legislature bypassed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wish to cut property taxes and instead voted to lower the state’s sales tax.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez