The US Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that they have issued over $267 billion worth of economic impact payments over the past two months. Yet, many of those funds were distributed to people who passed away and the government is now asking the people to correct their mistake. As I mentioned at the beginning of May, my family received a check that was made out to my mother who has passed away. The check was even marked “DECD.” Tens of thousands of other checks were distributed and clearly written to deceased individuals.
Now, the IRS wants the money back. As I have stated countless times, the government is incapable of running something as trivial as a bubblegum machine. The government will never admit to their mistakes, and always expects the people to take blame and responsibility.
If you received a check for a deceased relative, here are the steps you must take as noted on the IRS’ website.
If the payment was a paper check:
- Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
- Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
- Include a brief explanation stating the reason for returning the check.
If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:
- Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
- Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.
