Web Portal for Direct Deposit of Second 2020 Stimulus Check [October Updates]

Want to get your second 2020 stimulus check quicker than the first?  Here is show to get setup with direct deposit for the second stimulus payment.

There is a web portal to submit your direct deposit information to the IRS and, if you did not get it set up in time for the first stimulus check, you may want to setup direct deposit for the second stimulus payment, which will happen if the Heroes Act (read summary) or an equivalent passes the Senate, who are still negotiating as of October, 2020.

It might not be surprising that many people are confused as to whether their 2020 stimulus check will be direct deposited or if they will be receiving a check.

One of the reasons for this is that there are actually two web portals (discussed below) which can be very confusing.

Obviously, most people would prefer to have their stimulus checks direct deposited so that they get the money in their bank accounts more quickly.

So let’s take a look at how you can do your best to have your stimulus check direct deposited in your bank account as opposed to waiting for a stimulus check, which may take a significant amount of time — see when will I get my 2020 stimulus check?

We’ll begin by taking a look at those who will have their stimulus check direct deposited by default and then take a look at the two web portals that are available to report your direct deposit information. The second web portal for direct deposit is the one that will be of interest to the majority of people.

Who Will Have Their Stimulus Check Direct Deposited by Default

On their Economic Impact Payments page, the IRS tells us that the stimulus payments will be “automatic for most taxpayers” and that “no further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.”

But if you do nothing, your 2020 stimulus check may not be direct deposited.

Why not?

Only those who are currently set up for direct deposit will have their stimulus checks direct-deposited by default.

And fortunately for these people, they will be the first ones to receive Coronavirus stimulus money.

The First Web Portal for Direct Deposit of Stimulus Payments

The first web portal, which exists today, it’s for those people who are classified by the IRS as non-filers.

A non-filer is someone who did not file tax returns in either 2018 or 2019 because their income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) or because they were not required to file their taxes for some other reason.

Non-filers should visit this web portal to enter their payment information.

The Second Web Portal for Direct Deposit of 2020 Stimulus Payments

This second web portal for direct deposit information for your stimulus checks is for those who did file their taxes but for whom the government does not currently have their direct deposit information.

This web portal to provide your direct deposit information became available in mid-April 2020.   It can be accessed by clicking here.

When you first access the IRS stimulus  payment portal, you may receive a “Please Wait” message saying “Due to high demand, you may have to wait longer than usual to access this site” as you see in the image below:

Following the Please Wait page, you will be greeted with this government warning page:

Finally, you get to the step where you actually enter your information so that the IRS can identify you.  They will require you to enter your SSN number, date of birth, Street Address, and Zip or Postal Code.

This “Get My Payment” web portal promises to deliver on the three things:

1. A way to check your 2020 stimulus check payment status.
2. A method to declare how you would like to get paid: direct deposit or check.
3. A means for you to enter your bank account information for direct deposit.

Of course, while the direct deposit and stimulus web portal promises a lot, the official opening of the web portal was met with errors and long waits and many receiving a “Payment Status Not Available” message.

Let’s hope big improvements happen!

If you have any further questions about direct deposit of your stimulus check, simply ask me in the comments below.

Thanks and have a great day! ~Richard