Stimulus Payment Complications for U.S. Expats
For Expats getting the Covid-19 stimulus payment from the US government can be a complicated process:
- You must have a US social security number. Using an ITIN disqualifies you from the program. Including taxpayers, spouses and dependents.
- Direct deposits are only available to US bank accounts. Some clients who do not have a US bank account are using accounts of family and friends for this purpose. If you filed your 2018 tax return without your US bank account number, file 2019 as soon as possible requesting that your refund or payment due is applied to your US bank account.
- If your last return shows no tax due or refund, you must you the IRS portal “Where’s My Payment” to notify the IRS of your US bank account for direct deposit purposes. Foreign addresses and bank accounts cannot be used.
- If you only have a foreign address and/or bank account, the IRS will mail the check to your last known address per your 2018 or 2019 tax return. Hopefully your local post office is processing your mail. If you do not receive the payment, you may be able to have the credit processed on your 2020 tax return. The jury is still out on that process.
If you are an expat in need of tax filing, contact Expatriate Tax Returns for help.
