Have you been opening ALL of your mail?
If you're like me you comb through and look for the envelopes that look "important."
You have to start opening all of your mail...that is, if you want your stimulus check.
Millions of stimulus payments from the Treasury Department and the IRS are being sent as prepaid debit cards!
Some have said the letters and gift cards look a bit like a scam. They are very much not a scam.
The prepaid debit card is an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) - also known as: your second round stimulus check.
The card will arrive in your mailbox in a white envelope with the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. It will also say,
"NOT A BILL OR AN ADVERTISEMENT. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT."
It will also have instructions about how to activate your card and how to use it.
You also have a couple different options on how you access the money.
You can:
- Use the card as-is to make purchases online or at retailers that accept Visa debit cards.
- Transfer the money to your bank account
- Get cash out at an ATM
The money is issued by MetaBank, the Tresury Department's financial agent.
The card is secure, according to the IRS, and can be replaced if needed.
The amount on each card will vary based on household.
Individuals can expect $600. Married couples filing jointly for 2020 can expect $1,200, and for each child you had in 2020 an additional $600.
There are also income caps. The IRS says your adjusted gross income can't exceed $150,000 if you're married and filing a joint return. Your adjusted gross income can't exceed $75,000 for individuals.
You might not get a prepaid card. Many are getting their stimulus money directly deposited to their bank account on file with the IRS. Some received paper checks.
The IRS says they don't choose who gets a paper check and who gets a prepaid card.
If you're still waiting for your stimulus money you can check the status on the IRS.gov website: Get My Payment.
Your stimulus money is not taxable. You will not have to pay income taxes on any stimulus money you receive from the US government.
However, unemployment benefits are taxable. You will have to pay income taxes if you are receiving unemployment benefits.
So open all of your mail. Even if it looks like a scam. You're looking for the official seal of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and a prepaid Visa gift card. That's how you'll know it's legit.