Economic Impact Payments by Prepaid Debit Card – Did You Know?
As part of the U.S. Treasury’s ongoing effort to get COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments (EIPs, also called stimulus payments) to all eligible Americans, the IRS has begun sending payments by prepaid debit card in addition to direct deposits and paper checks. Many people who are still waiting for their payments will receive these prepaid cards in the coming weeks.
You can do any of the following with an EIP prepaid debit card with no transaction fees, until you use up the balance on the card:
– Make purchases anywhere Visa is accepted, including online and in-person stores
– Transfer funds from the card to your bank account
– Get cash from in-network ATMs (the ATM will tell you if it is not in-network, which could result in fees being charged)
– Check your card balance 24/7 by phone, online, or by using the mobile app
Prepaid debit cards also offer built-in protection against loss, fraud, theft or other unauthorized use. If you already have a prepaid debit card and the IRS has not yet scheduled your payment, you may be able to request that your EIP be loaded directly onto your existing card. To find out if you are eligible for this option, visit either the Get My Payment IRS portal or the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here page (see links below).
NOTE: EIP prepaid debit cards will NOT come in an IRS or U.S. Treasury envelope. Instead, the card will arrive in a plain envelope from Money Network Cardholder Services, with a letter explaining that the card has been preloaded with your EIP. The front of the card has a Visa logo, while the back displays the name of the issuing bank, Metabank, N.A. The letter also explains how to activate and use the card, or you can learn more at www.eipcard.com.
IRS Get My Payment portal for federal return filers: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment
IRS Non-Filers – Enter Payment Info Here Portal: https://www.irs.gov/coro…/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
Have more questions? Call (480) 888-7111 to schedule your free tax consultation.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Does not constitute legal, financial, or other advice. Consult with a professional before taking any action.