As legislators talk about a possible second stimulus package, millions are still waiting for the first to pay-up. They didn't get their $1,200 and have spent months trying to find out why.
Arizonan Diana Ishak says she's tried contacting the IRS repeatedly.
"Did I do something wrong? Is there an issue with something I filed?"
She says she can't get any answers.
Soon, nine million people who did not get stimulus money and did not file taxes will get a letter from the IRS. It will tell them they have until Oct. 15 to enter their information on the IRS website.
But that's not Diana. She filed taxes and got a refund months ago. So why no stimulus check? Possible reasons include:
- IRS doesn't have the correct bank account information
- Your payment is scheduled sometime before the end of the year
- You don't qualify
Diana believes she does qualify. So do other Arizonans who also let me know they didn't get stimulus money. Some show accounts saying they qualify, but it has said that for months. Other accounts show they filed taxes, even got refunds, but no answers about stimulus payments.
Diana says she's been told to just wait and she'll get it. But now legislators are talking about a possible second stimulus package that could include another payment.
"If I didn't get the first time, what are my chances of getting the second one?" Diana wonders.
Trying to get specific answers may be impossible. Seven months into the pandemic, the IRS website still states, "please do not call the IRS."
In a response to our questions, the IRS sites privacy reasons for not addressing individual concerns. Instead, they provided links for stimulus and tax refund questions:
Regarding those waiting on refunds, the IRS continues to process refunds. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool is the best way to check on an anticipated refund.
There are delays in processing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a link that speaks to current IRS operations.
As for those who are expecting an Economic Impact Payment, they should review our EIP FAQs to see if they meet the eligibility criteria. These FAQs also explain what to do if they haven’t received an EIP and meet eligibility.