Stimulus Check Relief for Spouses of Deceased People is Coming
The IRS will be sending new stimulus checks to widows and widowers who didn't get their original payment.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KouW6qJqycLhrskSgFbf6h-415-80.jpg)
Right after the CARES Act was enacted, the IRS immediately began a mad scramble to get stimulus checks out to anxious Americans as quickly as possible. But, as you know, haste makes waste. By rushing to set up a system to process the $1,200 payments, some mistakes were made. One of those errors resulted in over 1 million stimulus checks being sent to dead people.
At first, the IRS didn't seem to be all that concerned over this oddity. However, after a while, the tax agency determined that deceased people shouldn't receive a stimulus check payment and asked the surviving spouse to return the payment. If a joint check was received, the living spouse only had to return that portion of the payment allocated to the deceased spouse.
Then the IRS went a step further. It started cancelling uncashed checks sent to deceased people. Unfortunately, that meant some joint stimulus checks sent to both the living spouse and the deceased one were cancelled, too.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
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.
New Checks Will Be Issued
The IRS says it's fixing this problem. The tax agency announced that it will reissue payments to surviving spouses of deceased people who were unable to deposit the initial stimulus checks paid to both the deceased and surviving spouse.
For checks that were cancelled or returned, the surviving spouse will automatically receive their share of the payment. The IRS has not said when the reissued payments will arrive, though.
What About Second-Round Stimulus Checks?
While negotiations have broken down, there's still a chance that we'll get a second round of stimulus checks this year. Right now, there are two main stimulus check plans currently under consideration – the HEROES Act proposal (backed by Democrats) and the HEALS Act plan (backed by Republicans). The HEROES Act is silent when it comes to payments to dead people. However, the HEALS Act specifically excludes people who died before January 1, 2020, from the list of eligible recipients.
The HEALS Act would also retroactively declare people who died before 2020 to be ineligible for CARES Act stimulus payments. If that were to happen, then the IRS would still have to reissue checks for a living spouse's share of first-round stimulus money.
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.
-
Visa Is the Worst Dow Stock Wednesday. Here's Why
Visa stock is down sharply Wednesday after the credit card company came up short of revenue expectations for its fiscal Q3.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Another Analyst Moves to the Sidelines on Tesla Stock After Earnings
Tesla stock is spiraling Wednesday after the EV maker's big earnings miss and Wall Street has been quick to weigh in. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
IRS Ends Inherited IRA Confusion: Annual RMDs Required for Many
IRAs The agency has resolved a major point of uncertainty for inherited IRA beneficiaries.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
$145 Million in ‘Senior Freeze’ Checks Mailed
Property Tax What you need to know about New Jersey's property tax relief program for older adults.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
TaxAct Class Action Settlement: Details to Know
Tax Filing A multimillion-dollar settlement over alleged data privacy violations affects some TaxAct users.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
An IRA Contribution Option You Might Not Know
IRAs Retirement savings might not have to take a back seat just because your partner doesn't earn income.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Project 2025 Tax Overhaul Blueprint: What You Need to Know
Tax Proposals Some people wonder what Project 2025 is and what it suggests for taxes.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
The Taxes That Come out of Your Paycheck
Payroll Tax Your take-home pay is often less than expected due to several payroll tax withholdings you need to know.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Seven States Where Gas Tax Increased July 1
Gas Taxes Since July has arrived, drivers in several states are facing a gas tax hike.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
401(k) Withdrawal Penalty Rule Changes for 2024
Tax Rules More people are taking early emergency withdrawals from retirement savings accounts. New rules might offer some relief.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated