The Internal Revenue Service's online tool that helps Americans track their $1,200 stimulus checks has gone into meltdown just hours a...
The Internal Revenue Service's online tool that helps Americans track their $1,200 stimulus checks has gone into meltdown just hours after it launched.
Frustrated users took to social media Wednesday to blast the highly-anticipated tracker, reporting that the site is crashing or telling them that it can't find their details.
More ludicrous still, payments have been sent to people who have been dead for two years, while thousands in need complain they haven't received the much-needed handout.
But the IRS bizarrely claimed that their website was 'operating smoothly and effectively' despite the complaints of taxpayers online.
The latest blow comes as Americans already face delays in getting the $1,200 government stimulus checks, after it emerged Tuesday that President Donald Trump has ordered that his name be printed on the checks, slowing their delivery by several days.
With nearly 17 million Americans filing for unemployment in the last three weeks and the jobless rate reaching its highest point since 1940, millions of households across the nation are desperately waiting to access the federal aid.
The Internal Revenue Service's online tool set up so that hard-hit Americans can track their much-needed stimulus checks has gone into meltdown just hours after it launched, with several getting a message saying: 'Payment Status Not Available'
But while Americans on the breadline report their bank accounts still sitting empty, hundreds of people on social media have spoken out about checks being paid into dead relatives accounts.
'Deceased people are receiving stimulus checks today. My grandmother passed away in 2018 — and $1,200 was deposited in her bank account today,' one person posted on Twitter.
US Representative Thomas Massie posted a photo of a text from a friend which read: 'Dad got his stimulus check of $1200. He died in [redacted] 2018. Does he have to spend it online?'
In at least two cases in South Carolina, the IRS sent checks to people who died months ago.
Two separate bereaved relatives told Fits News that checks had arrived for their dead family members.
'My father-in-law died just before Christmas last year,' one person said, noting that the man's bank account had received the $1,200 boost from the government.
Meanwhile, one woman said a check had landed into her mother's account - who died around Thanksgiving.
People have spoken out on social media about checks being paid into dead relatives accounts
'I can't believe all deceased people would get a check!' she told Fit News.
Widows and widowers are reporting payments for two checks - one for them and one for their deceased partners.
Alongside the emotional toll that the blunder is taking, questions are being asked over whether they have to return the payments.
'My mom got two stimulus checks (one for her the other for my dad who is deceased). He passed in 2018 and she hasn't filed single yet on 2019's taxes. Long story short, does she have to give that extra $1200 back?' one person Tweeted.
The online tracker Get My Payment was finally launched Wednesday but is reportedly already buckling under the demand, with taxpayers citing a series of glitches with the tool.
Several social media posts complained of the site crashing as they tried to find out when they will receive the cash injection.
'The IRS 'Get my Payment' site keeps going down for technical difficulty,' one person posted on Twitter, adding that there was 'no way to contact IRS on the site'.
Other Twitter users said they had managed to access the site and fill in their details but the tool then could find no information about their checks.
Several complained that they are getting a message saying: 'Payment Status Not Available. According to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time.'
The message has sparked mounting concerns that some people have been missed out of the stimulus package or may have been incorrectly deemed ineligible.
One person Tweeted: Did anyone else NOT get their #Stimulusdeposit and then receive this message when they checked they status on the IRS site?'
Many people responded to the Tweet saying they have faced the same issue.
Others told how the site has crashed under the demand but there is no other way of contacting the IRS
'Same here and I just got my small 2019 tax refund yesterday deposited in my bank acct as I am single, make way below the guideline, just deposited my 2019 refund into my bank acct so wtf!!!,' one person posted.
Another told how she had been out of work for weeks and was left in tears over fears she is not receiving the check and still has no money.
'Same!! WTH? I cried and cried. I've been out of work and out of money for weeks already. I don't understand. I should qualify too,' they Tweeted.
Another person slammed the tool a 'joke'.
'Yo @IRSnews your get my payment site is a joke,' they Tweeted.
'Don't launch something that's not going to work for 95% of the people trying to use it.'
One person Tweeted: 'Hey @IRS and @realDonaldTrump gimme my money u clowns.'
But the IRS said in a statement that the site was operating 'smoothly', and that more than a million people had been able to upload their bank details.
A statement online read: 'As of mid-day today, more than 6.2 million taxpayers have successfully received their payment status and almost 1.1 million taxpayers have successfully provided banking information, ensuring a direct deposit will be quickly sent.
'IRS is actively monitoring site volume; if site volume gets too high, users are sent to an online “waiting room” for a brief wait until space becomes available, much like private sector online sites.'
The message has sparked mounting concerns that some people have been missed out of the stimulus package or may have been incorrectly deemed ineligible
People in desperate need of the funds have also slammed the system over when the checks are paid, after they have been missed out of the first payment run.
One person Tweeted that they have not received their check despite losing their job while people still in paid employment have been among the first to get them.
'Everyone I know who still has a well-paying job received their stimulus check today. Meanwhile, I haven't worked in an entire month and this is what the government has for me. #Stimulusdeposit #Stimuluscheck #IRSDirectDeposit,' they posted.
One user simply said: 'Me checking my bank account for the 100th time seeing that it still ain't been stimulated #Stimulusdeposit' alongside a meme of a fist-shaking.
Some luckier people told how they have seen the payments hit their accounts.
'I got my Democratic Party stimulus today. Thanks to all the Democrats who stood up for us to make sure we got something. We appreciate your hard work! #Stimulusdeposit #Stimuluscheck Keep working hard for the people!,' one happy person Tweeted.
People in desperate need of the funds have also slammed the system over when the checks are paid, after they have been missed out of the first payment run
But even some of the people who have received payments have complained that the value has been incorrectly calculated.
President Trump said that more than 80 million would receive their direct deposits by Wednesday.
The first checks from the stimulus were sent out by the IRS this week, meaning a large majority of eligible Americans' should receive the payments by April 24.
As Americans wait for their $1,200 payments, they can turn to the new online tool to track them.
Some luckier people have started receiving their payments but there are claims that the payments have been incorrectly calculated
However, as well as the reported technical issues with the online portal, millions are also allegedly facing delays due to the president's insistence his name is branded on the checks.
Citing administration officials, the Washington Post reported earlier this week that the Treasury Department has ordered Trump's name be printed on the checks, slowing their delivery by several days.
The president had reportedly first privately suggested to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who oversees the IRS, that he formally sign the checks.
But the president is not an authorized signer for legal disbursements by the Treasury and so the request was denied.
Instead, the checks will carry the signature of an official with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, the Treasury Department division that prints the checks, and Trump's name will be printed on them.
Many Americans may also face delays after it emerged that President Trump has ordered his name to be printed on the checks, slowing delivery by days. Trump is pictured signing the $2.2 trillion stimulus package providing for the payments on March 27
A sample check is pictured: Trump's move has sparked allegations that he is trying to use the stimulus checks to boost his re-election bid
The White House and the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The report drew allegations that Trump is trying to use the stimulus checks to boost his re-election bid, by giving voters the impression that he is personally responsible for the relief payments.
So far, there have been more than 633,000 confirmed cases in the US of the coronavirus, which has been blamed for more than 27,000 deaths.
Federal officials hope to reverse the historic economic impact of the flu-like virus, also known as COVID-19, which has resulted in layoffs and furloughs of Americans across the country, with an approved $2.2 trillion stimulus package.
The package was designed to aid both corporate America, small business, as well as Americans who are struggling to make ends meet while waiting for the outbreak to run its course.
Individuals earning more than $99,000 and couples without children whose income exceeds $198,000 are not eligible.
Payments start phasing out for Americans with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000 and married couples earning more than $150,000. The amount will reduced by $5 for every additional $100 of adjusted gross income.
Where's my check?
To track the stimulus payments, the IRS made its tracking tool available on Wednesday.
Users must enter a Social Security number, date of birth and mailing address in order to track their payment.
The site will respond with a payment status, type and requests for more information, including bank account details, if needed.
Americans who filed their 2018 and 2019 taxes, as well as the lowest earners, should be among the first to receive their checks, the IRS has said, reports CNN.
People who haven't been required to file a return for those two years will likely have to enter additional information online.
Social Security recipients will also receive their payments first.
Aside from the potential for delays because of the president's request to have his signature on the checks, millions of Americans also may not see their payment sooner because they didn't authorize direct deposit.
The Treasury has set up its own new web portal, where updated information can be entered.
To track the stimulus payments, the IRS made its tracking tool available on Wednesday
What else can I do if I don't get my check
The Get My Payment tool will allow taxpayers to input their bank account information so they can receive their payment electronically, as opposed to a paper check that might take weeks, or even months.
Low-income earners who did not make more than $12,200 last year or married couples who did not earn more than $24,400, and who do not normally file tax returns will have to take several actions to get their payments.
Most will be able to provide the required information with the new online tool, which is very 'very straightforward, and likely much faster, than requiring non-filers to fill out and submit a tax form,' Erica York, an economist at the Tax Foundation, tells CNN.
Alerting those persons is the challenge, especially for those who do not have access to the internet, she said.
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