Who Should Return Their Third Stimulus Check to the IRS?

Your first thought after reading the headline might be, "who in their right mind would give back a stimulus check?" A lot of people who receive a stimulus payment can really use the money right now. And most Americans who don't really need a helping hand can certainly find something to do with an extra $1,400. So, why would anyone return their third stimulus check to the IRS?

For one group of people, it's because the IRS is telling them to send it back. They're not eligible for a payment in the first place, so that makes sense (although not all ineligible people are being asked to return mistakenly sent checks). There's another group of Americans who will want to return their stimulus check because they can't otherwise cash it. And then, believe it or not, there may be some people out there who just don't want the money. They can send it back, too.

So, should you return your third stimulus check to the IRS? Read on to find out. We'll also let you know how to send it back if you do. The IRS has specific instructions for returning the money, and you'll want to make sure you do it right. If, like most people, you end up keeping your stimulus payment, just make sure you spend it wisely!

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Nonresident Aliens Must Return Stimulus Payments

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A nonresident alien is not eligible for a third stimulus check. Generally, a "nonresident alien" is not a U.S. citizen, doesn't have a green card, and is not physically present in the U.S. for the required amount of time.

On the other hand, a person who's a qualifying "resident alien" in 2021 is eligible for a third stimulus payment if he or she has a valid Social Security number and isn't claimed as a dependent someone else's tax return. (A resident alien is someone who isn't a U.S. citizen, but meets either the green card test or the substantial presence test for the calendar year.)

So, what should a person who isn't a U.S. citizen do if he or she receives a third stimulus check? According to the IRS, the money should be returned to the tax agency by following the instructions outlined below if the recipient is a nonresident alien (i.e., not a qualifying resident alien) for 2021.

Note that, at this time, we haven't run across any IRS guidance specifically requiring other ineligible people – such as dependents – to return any third stimulus payment mistakenly sent to them. That certainly could change, but for now it appears as if those people can keep any third stimulus check with their name on it.

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Surviving Spouses Can Get a New Check Issued

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Anyone who died before January 1, 2021, is not eligible for a third stimulus check. The extra $1,400 per dependent is also not available for a parent who died before 2021 or, in the case of a joint return, if both parents died before then. There is one exception to the general eligibility rule: If the person who died is a married member of the U.S. military, the surviving spouse can still get a third stimulus check.

If you filed a joint 2020 tax return and your spouse died before 2021, your deceased spouse won't be included for purposes of calculating a third stimulus payment. However, you will still receive a stimulus payment for up to $1,400, plus an additional $1,400 for any qualifying dependents. If you can't cash or deposit your stimulus payment because it was issued to you and your deceased spouse, you must return it according to the IRS rules described below. Include a letter requesting that the third stimulus payment be reissued in the surviving spouse's name only.

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People Who Don't Want the Money

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There was a big push to make third-round stimulus payments more "targeted." In other words, to send them only to people who really needed financial assistance. To that end, the law authorizing the third round of stimulus checks completely cut off payments for single people earning at least $80,000 and married couples making $160,000 or more. Nevertheless, that still means a lot of people who didn't lose their job or haven't lost any income during the pandemic will still receive a third stimulus check.

Some of those people may not want a stimulus payment, particularly if they joined the chorus calling for more targeted payments before the law was passed. They may feel guilty for taking money they don't need and/or don't want to contribute to the federal deficit. Of course, there are all kinds of other reasons why someone might not want to accept a stimulus check right now. So, for those people, the IRS will gladly take their stimulus payment back if you follow the instructions below.

There's a special procedure for anyone who received a third stimulus payment in the form of a debit card, wants to return the money to the IRS, and doesn't want the payment reissued. In that case, you should send the debit card along with a brief explanation stating that you don't want the payment and don't want the payment reissued to Money Network Cardholder Services, 2900 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

However, if you don't want the money, please consider other alternatives before sending a third stimulus payment back to the IRS. For instance, you can donate the money to charity. The organization you give the money to will certainly appreciate it, and you might get a charitable tax deduction. Supporting a local small business is another good idea to use some unwanted cash. Treat your friends to dinner at a locally owned restaurant. Do a little extra shopping at a mom-and-pop business in your town – you can later donate what you bought to charity if you want. They need the help and you'll be stimulating the local economy.

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How to Return a Third Stimulus Check

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If you need or want to return a third stimulus check, the method you use depends on how you received your payment and what, if anything, you've already done with it.

If you received a paper stimulus check in the mail and still have it, then:

• 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 brief explanation stating the reason for returning the check.

If you received a paper check and cashed it, or if your payment was a directly deposited into your bank account, then:

• 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 "Third EIP" (EIP stands for Economic Impact Payment, which is what the IRS calls a stimulus check) and your taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) on the check; and
• Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the payment.

Use the following table to identify the property IRS location to send your stimulus check, personal check/money order, and explanation.

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Stay on Top of Stimulus Check Developments

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Follow Kiplinger for the latest news and insights on federal stimulus payments (and other important personal-finance matters). Stay with us on:

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See some of our other coverage of the third stimulus check:

• Your Third Stimulus Check: How Much? When? And Other FAQs
• Supplemental "Plus-Up" Payments Are On the Way
• How Your Third Stimulus Check Will Differ From the First Two Payments
• Third Stimulus Check Calculator
• Who Won't Get a Third Stimulus Check (Not Everyone is Eligible!)
• Is Your Stimulus Check Taxable?
• Will Your Stimulus Check Increase Your Tax on Social Security Benefits?
• Where's My Stimulus Check? Use the IRS's "Get My Payment" Portal to Get an Answer
• 6 Money-Smart Ways to Spend Your Third Stimulus Check