UPDATE 4/17/2020: The Internal Revenue Service urges U.S. taxpayers to beware of telephone calls and email phishing attempts regarding COVID-19. These can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. Taxpayers should also look out for suspicious websites, text messages, and social media messages that request money or personal information.
For more information, please see the Internal Revenue Service’s news release.
Actions to Take:
- Forward unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media attempts to gather information that appear to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), to phishing@irs.gov.
- Do not engage potential scammers online or on the phone. Learn more about reporting suspected scams by going to the Report Phishing and Online Scams page at www.irs.gov.
- Find official IRS information about the COVID-19 pandemic and economic impact payments at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
The Internal Revenue Service released a new tool that allows individuals to check the status of their Economic Impact Payments. For more information, please see the Internal Revenue Service’s website.
Who is eligible for the COVID19 Economic Impact Payment?
U.S. residents will receive the COVID 19 Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income up to:
- $75,000 for individuals
- $112,500 for head of household filers and
- $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns
Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI is between:
- $75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
- 112,500 and $136,500 for head of household
- $150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly
The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the taxpayers specific adjusted gross income.
Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans’ benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This also includes those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Retirees who receive either Social Security retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically.
Source of above information is the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center.
At this time, the IRS website and the CARES Act do not specifically address the eligibility status of U.S. citizens permanently resident overseas. If additional information becomes available we will update this website.
Who is not eligible?
Although some filers, such as high-income filers, will not qualify for an Economic Impact Payment, most will.
Taxpayers likely won’t qualify for an Economic Impact Payment if any of the following apply:
- Your adjusted gross income is greater than
- $99,000 if your filing status was single or married filing separately
- $136,500 for head of household
- $198,000 if your filing status was married filing jointly
- You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. For example, this would include a child, student or older dependent who can be claimed on a parent’s return.
- You do not have a valid Social Security number.
- You are a nonresident alien.
- You filed Form 1040-NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR or Form 1040-SS for 2019.
Source of above information is the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center.
The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible.
For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.
Source of the above information is available at the IRS “What you need to know” page.
I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my COVID19 Economic Impact Payment?
Yes. The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 to generate COVID 19 Economic Impact Payments to recipients of benefits reflected in the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 who are not required to file a tax return and did not file a return for 2018 or 2019. This includes senior citizens, Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are not otherwise required to file a tax return.
Since the IRS would not have information regarding any dependents for these people, each person would receive $1,200 per person, without the additional amount for any dependents at this time.
Source of the above information is available at the IRS “What you need to know” page.
I have a tax filing obligation but have not filed my tax return for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive an COVID19 Economic Impact Payment?
Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 to file as soon as they can to receive an COVID 19 Economic Impact Payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on the return.
Source of the above information is available at the IRS “What you need to know” page.
I need to file a tax return. How long are the COVID19 Economic Impact Payments available?
For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, these COVID19 Economic Impact Payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.
Source of the above information is available at the IRS “What you need to know” page.
If I receive Social Security, will I be eligible for the COVID 19 Economic Impact Payments?
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an COVID19 Economic Impact Payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts. (Note: Department of Treasury regulations do not yet address whether those payments can be deposited into Thai bank accounts, or if a U.S. bank account is required. We will update this website when those regulations are clarified.)
“Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return do not need to take an action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.
The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.
Where can I get more information?
The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.
The IRS has a reduced staff in many of its offices but remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive their payments expeditiously. Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather than calling IRS assistors who are helping process 2019 returns.
- Social Security Administration COVID-19 Information is available here.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury COVID-19 Information is available here.
- Internal Revenue Service COVID-19 Information is available here.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs COVID-19 Information is available here.
Payment Recipients: Watch for an IRS Letter
For security reasons, the IRS plans to mail a letter about the COVID19 Economic Impact Payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment. If a taxpayer is unsure if they are receiving a legitimate letter, the IRS urges taxpayers to visit IRS.gov first to protect against scam artists.
Source of above information is the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center.
Avoid Scams Related to COVID 19 Economic Payment
The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the COVID19 Economic Impact Payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money. Remember, the IRS will not call , text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments.
Source of above information is the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center.
Are U.S. Citizens resident in Thailand eligible for Direct Deposit of other Federal Benefits?
The United States Department of the Treasury offers direct deposit of federal benefit payments, including Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to banks in Thailand. The payments are automatically converted to Thai Baht (THB) at the international exchange rate before they are deposited in the account. U.S. dollar payments are not available. The United States Department of the Treasury does not charge fees to make the deposits. However, Thai banks may charge fees.
Federal tax refunds must be deposited to a U.S. bank account, however.
Direct deposit is the safest, most convenient and reliable method of receiving your benefits. The payment is electronically transmitted to your bank account and you have immediate access to your funds by the payment date. There are no delays, including missing and stolen checks.
You do not have to do anything if you are currently enrolled in direct deposit. Your payments will continue to be sent to your current bank.
If you wish to sign up for direct deposit or switch your direct deposit arrangement to another bank in Thailand, please contact the agency listed below.
Social Security Administration
U.S. Embassy Manila
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita 0930
Manila, Philippines
Email: FBU.Manila@ssa.gov
Phone No.: +63 2 301 2000 ext. 9 (from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Manila Time, Tuesdays and Thursdays except Philippine and U.S. Holidays)
Department of Veterans Affairs
Email: DIRECTD.VBAMUS@VA.GOV
Phone: +1 (918) 781-7550 (from 9:00am to 5:30pm, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday)
Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
PO Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017 U.S.A.
Email: retire@opm.gov
Phone: +1-888-767-6738 (from 7:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
