Guidance on returning economic impact payments sent to the deceased

Blog Post

Under the CARES Act, individuals may be eligible to receive a payment of up to $1,200 as an advance for a 2020 tax credit. These payments are all automatically mailed or directly deposited into individuals’ accounts, including retirees and Social Security recipients that are not required to file an income tax return. But what happens when the recipient is deceased?

Guidance was recently released that if an individual receives an economic impact payment and the individual was deceased at the time of receipt, then the payment must be returned.

Couples receiving an economic impact payment when one spouse is deceased must generally return $1,200 of the payment, which is the decedent’s portion. This amount might be different if the couple’s adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000. In that case, you should speak with your tax professional.

  • By check: If the decedent received a check, write “VOID” on the endorsement section and return the check to the appropriate U.S. Treasury location. A brief explanation is required as to why the check is being returned. The explanation can be as simple as the decedent’s name, date of death, and that the decedent was not eligible.
  • Cashed checks and direct deposit: A check or money order payable to the “U.S. Treasury” must be issued. In the memo, include “2020 EIP” and the decedent’s social security number. Again, a short statement with the decedent’s name, date of death, and that the decedent was not eligible must be included.

In either case, the check and statement should be sent to the following:

If the decedent lived in

Mailing address

Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas

  Austin Internal Revenue Service
  3651 S Interregional Hwy 35
  Austin, TX 78741

District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island

  Philadelphia Internal Revenue Service
  2970 Market St.
  Philadelphia, PA 19104

Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia

  Kansas City Internal Revenue Service
  333 W Pershing Rd.
  Kansas City, MO 64108

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont

  Andover Internal Revenue Service
  310 Lowell St.
  Andover, MA 01810

Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia

  Atlanta Internal Revenue Service
  4800 Buford Hwy
  Chamblee, GA 30341

New York

  Brookhaven Internal Revenue Service
  5000 Corporate Ct.
  Holtsville, NY 11742

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

  Fresno Internal Revenue Service
  5045 E Butler Avenue
  Fresno, CA 93888

Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee

  Memphis Internal Revenue Service
  5333 Getwell Rd.
  Memphis, TN 38118

A foreign country, U.S. possession or territory, or use an APO or FPO address, or file Form 2555 or 4563, or are a dual-status alien.

  Austin Internal Revenue Service
  3651 S Interregional Hwy 35
  Austin, TX 78741

For more information or questions, please contact the McDonald Hopkins attorney listed below.

Jump to Page

McDonald Hopkins uses cookies on our website to enhance user experience and analyze website traffic. Third parties may also use cookies in connection with our website for social media, advertising and analytics and other purposes. By continuing to browse our website, you agree to our use of cookies as detailed in our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.