Seniors Won’t Have to File Returns to Receive Recovery Rebate

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) originally stated seniors and others who typically don’t file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive their 2020 recovery rebate, as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

After receiving letters from members of Congress expressing concerns about this decision, the IRS changed its policy. According to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, “Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return need to take no action, and will receive their payment directly to their bank account.”

Therefore, for Social Security recipients who didn’t file tax returns in 2018 or 2019, the IRS will use information on Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate stimulus payments.