Seniors and veterans otherwise eligible for a stimulus check who receive Social Security retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits, or Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pension benefits have until 3:00 p.m. Eastern on November 21, 2020, to claim an additional $500-per-child payment if they didn't already receive the amount as part of their original stimulus check. That's this Saturday!
Americans who receive these federal benefits, but didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return, should have automatically received a $1,200 stimulus payment earlier this year. However, if they have (or care for) dependent children 16 years old or younger, they were instructed to go online and use the IRS's "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" tool to get the extra $500 per child that's allowed under the CARES Act.
The catch was that they originally had to use the tool by a certain time and with little notice. People receiving Social Security, SSI, or RR benefits initially had until noon Eastern time on April 22 to have the additional amount included in their stimulus check payment – and the IRS gave them less than 48 hours' notice of the deadline! Veterans receiving VA benefits had until May 5 to use the IRS's online tool. Unfortunately, many seniors and veterans with dependent children didn't act in time and didn't get the extra $500.
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.
The Revised Deadline
Fortunately, the IRS reopened the registration period for Social Security, SSI, RR, and VA beneficiaries who didn't receive the additional $500 payment for a dependent child. They now have until 3:00 p.m. Eastern on November 21 to use the Non-Filers tool to provide information about their child. If you miss the November 21 deadline, you'll need to wait until next year and claim the $500 as a credit on your 2020 federal income tax return.
If you received your original $1,200 payment by direct deposit, the additional payment for your dependent children will also be directly deposited to the same account. Otherwise, you'll receive a paper check in the mail.
If you already used the Non-Filers tool to provide information on your children, no further action is needed – the IRS will automatically send a payment to you.
-
Ask the Editor — Tax Questions on Inherited IRAsAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on the rules on inheriting IRAs.
-
I Asked Experts When It's Worth Splurging on Beauty and Skincare — and When You Can SaveSmart Shopping Experts agree that while you don't have to spend three figures on your products, some higher-priced items have value.
-
Ask the Editor, July 4: Tax Questions on Inherited IRAs
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on the rules on inheriting IRAs.
-
Ten Cheapest Places to Live in VirginiaProperty Taxes The Commonwealth of Virginia has some cheap places to live. Here are a few if you hate paying property taxes.
-
IRS Watchdog: Three Problems the IRS Must Address in 2025IRS The tax season is over, but new changes to the IRS can pose risks to your taxpayer experience.
-
Ask the Editor, June 27: Tax Questions on Disaster Losses, IRAsAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on paper checks, hurricane losses, IRAs and timeshares.
-
2025 SALT Cap Could Hurt Top 'Hidden Home Cost'Tax Deductions The GOP tax bill could make hidden homeowner costs worse for you. Here’s how.
-
Retire in the Bahamas With These Three Tax BenefitsRetirement Taxes Retirement in the Bahamas may be worth considering for high-net-worth individuals who hate paying taxes on income and capital gains.
-
Ask the Editor, June 20: Questions on Tax Deductions and IRAsAsk the Editor In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers four questions on deductions, tax proposals and IRAs.
-
2025 Virginia Tax Rebate Checks Coming Soon? What to Know NowTax Rebates Given a historic 2025 gubernatorial race, tax policy will remain a key issue for Virginians in the months ahead.
