So far this week I'm still getting "Payment Status Not Available"
as are apparently a lot of taxpayers. So much for having provided direct deposit info, fat lot of good that did.
>> This recently updated answer highlights a very key point that wasn’t included earlier - one of the reasons you get this error is if “The application doesn't yet have your data; we’re working on adding more data to allow more people to use it.”
In other words, they don’t know your status because they haven’t fully processed your information. If you recently filed a tax return for 2019 or used their Non-Filer form to give them your banking information, they just haven’t processed that new information yet. It also doesn’t include information for those who receive benefits through Social Security or Veterans Affairs.
As they work through the data entry backlog, your information is only updated once a day. When it is, your status will first change to show you where they are direct depositing your stimulus check, including the last few digits of your bank account. Then, it’ll show the date the transfer is set to occur.
At this point, there isn’t anything you can do to speed along the process. It’s merely a wait and “check once a day” to see what the IRS has been able to update.
It’s not good news but at least now you know why you keep seeing the “Payment Status Not Available” error message - and that there’s nothing anyone can do about it except wait. <<
(I didn't file yet for 2019 but there is a 2018 return on file with bank info on it and there's also SS)
Here's the alleged scoop on paper checks (
Forbes):
>> The
Washington Post reviewed an IRS internal memo in which it detailed how it would be sending out paper checks starting on April 24th. The IRS plans to issue and mail about 5 million checks each week and will send them based on the taxpayer’s earnings.
- Earning $10,000 or less - April 24th
- Earning $20,000 or less - May 1st
- Earning $30,000 or less - May 8th
- Earning $40,000 or less - May 15th
- Earning $50,000 or less - May 22nd
- Earning $60,000 or less - May 29th
- Earning $70,000 or less - June 5th
- Earning $80,000 or less - June 12th
- Earning $90,000 or less - June 19th
- Earning $100,000 or less - June 26th
The schedule continues in the same rate - increasing to those earning $10,000 more each week. This continues until the final checks, to joint taxpayers who earn $200,000 or less, on September 4th. <<
No way to tell at this point whether one should expect a DD or a paper check