The Federal government is still in the process of distributing the stimulus payments mandated to help during COVID-19 shutdowns, also known as the Economic Impact Payments.  But some people are receiving the funds even though they are deceased.  In some cases, the check even notes that the payee is deceased.  The Federal government wants the money back.

A payment made to someone who died before receipt of the payment should be returned to the IRS by following the instructions below, whether the payment was made via paper check, direct deposit, or debit card.    The IRS wants to have the entire payment returned, unless the payment was made to joint filers and one spouse had not died before receipt of the payment.  In that case, only the portion of the payment made to the deceased person would need to be returned.    This amount will be $1,200 unless adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000.

If you cannot deposit the payment because it was issued to both spouses and one spouse is deceased, return the check as described in question 65. Once the IRS receives and processes your returned payment, an Economic Impact Payment will be reissued.

If the payment was a paper check:

1. Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
2. Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
3. Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
4. Include a brief explanation stating the reason for returning the check.

If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:

1. Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location, which if the deceased person lived in Hawaii, is to Fresno Internal Revenue Service, 5045 E Butler Avenue, Fresno, CA 93888
2. Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
3. Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP.

If you received your EIP as a debit card and want to return the money to the IRS and NOT have the payment re-issued, send the card along with a brief explanation stating you don’t want the payment and do not want the payment re-issued:

Money Network Cardholder Services
5565 Glenridge Connector NE