TurboTax launches tool to get stimulus checks to people who don’t pay taxes
Tool could aid up to 10 million Americans.
TurboTax has launched a tool that will help the millions of Americans who do not file tax returns receive stimulus relief checks from the government to help battle the economic instability brought on by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The free Stimulus Registration product will ensure that people receive the one-time payments of up to $1,200 per person.
“In partnership with the IRS, TurboTax volunteered to create an innovative solution to help this group easily get their stimulus payment,” Intuit said in a blog post. “The TurboTax Stimulus Registration product was designed to help millions easily file a minimum tax return with the IRS, which has the information needed to determine their stimulus eligibility.”
Government officials have said funds will be deposited directly into people’s bank accounts, based on the information in their most recent tax filing. (Check will be mailed if the taxpayer owed money or preferred a paper check with their refund.) As many as 10 million people are not required to file a tax return, though, because they have little to no taxable income.
That leaves them at risk, as the government might not have current contact information for them, which could delay their money or prevent them from receiving it altogether.
The tool asks a short series of questions to determine your eligibility, including age, address, income (including gambling winnings and selling a house) and updated address and marital status information. Filling the form out takes approximately five to eight minutes.
Social Security income recipients do not need to take any action to get their stimulus payment.
Direct deposit stimulus checks are supposed to start being distributed by the middle of the month. Paper checks will start being distributed in May, though it could take much longer for someone to receive their funds.
More must-read personal finance coverage from Fortune:
—What to do if you can’t pay your bills this month
—Everything you need to know about the coronavirus stimulus checks
—5 things to know about unemployment benefits in the COVID-19 stimulus package
—Everything you need to know about furloughs—and what they mean for workers
—Everything you need to know about the new 401(k) no-penalty withdrawals
—Listen to Leadership Next, a Fortune podcast examining the evolving role of CEO
—VIDEO: 401(k) withdrawal penalties waived for anyone hurt by COVID-19
Subscribe to Fortune’s Bull Sheet for no-nonsense finance news and analysis daily.