Stimulus Check 2022: You May Have To Pay The IRS

recession Stimulus Check
Stimulus Check

It should not be surprising that some errors were made given how quickly the IRS was able to deposit stimulus checks into bank accounts during the previous two years. It may have been as simple as sending a stimulus payment to someone whose income was too high to qualify. 

Will You Have To Return Your Stimulus Check?

If you fit into one of the following five categories, do not be shocked to hear from the IRS, regardless of the problem.

  1. You made too much money

Each of the three stimulus payments had a high-income requirement. It is plausible to assume that some of the thousands of stimulus checks delivered in 2020 and 2021 went to recipients whose income was higher than allowed.

  1. You got a check for a deceased person.

For the majority of us, the past few years have passed in a blur despite the fact that millions of people have lost loved ones. Whether you (or anybody else) is entitled to retain that person’s stimulus check depends upon the date of that person’s passing. If a loved one passed away in 2019, it is possible that the IRS was unaware of the tragedy when it distributed the first batch of stimulus payments in 2020. The IRS advises that you should return the portion that was delivered in the dead person’s name because of this. 

  1. You are an alien

You could have received a check if you have been a resident of the United States for a while, paid income taxes, but are not yet a citizen. If so, there is a chance the IRS may realize its error and ask for a refund.

  1. You got a bonus check

Given the volume of checks written, it is probable that some people got more than one repayment for the same round.

  1. You are a non-resident alien.

You could have gotten stimulus money if you are a nonresident immigrant who works in the United States and pays American taxes. If so, you may be required to repay the money as you are not qualified.