Economic Impact Payments to Deceased Individuals

As discussed in our posts on April 14, 2020, April 9, 2020, and March 31, 2020, the federal law enacted on March 27, 2020 includes a provision to send recovery rebates to taxpayers.  The IRS now refers to these payments as economic impact payments.

The IRS has sent numerous economic impact payments to taxpayers who are deceased.  On May 6, 2020, the IRS updated its frequently asked questions (Question 41) to indicate that payments that were made to deceased taxpayers must be returned, using the following procedures.  

 

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 note 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:

Make a personal check, money order, etc., 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.

Mail the check to the IRS.  For taxpayers in New York, mail the check to: Brookhaven Refund, Inquiry Unit, 5000 Corporate Ct., Mail Stop 547, Holtsville, NY 11742.

For taxpayers in other locations, the addresses are included in: For taxpayers in other locations, the addresses are included in: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center#more.