Ask the taxgirl: Lost Stimulus Check

2008 June 20
tags: , , , ,
by Kelly

Taxpayer asks:

Is there a remedy for a lost stimulus check?

Taxgirl says:

Are you sure that it’s lost? Or just not processed yet?

I would call the toll-free Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942 and ask the IRS. You can also visit your local Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.

Have a question? Ask the taxgirl!

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from → ask the taxgirl, individual

28 Comments leave one →
2008 June 23
Peggy

What if you have received the check & lost it?

2008 June 24
Miriam Maldonado

Please, help me. My stimulus check has been mailed to my old address and my old house has been taken over by the sheriff. I cant find my stimulus check.

2008 June 26
zachary

I have recieved my stimulus check a couple of weeks , yesterday I looked for it to cash it but I couldn’t find it, can I get a replacement check?

2008 June 30
J.D.

My stimulus check has been received and lost as well…What can we do?

2008 June 30
darcia

my stimulus check was mailed on May 30th and I still have not received it yet. I can NOT get through to the IRS at the number on the notice. what can I do to request a replacement check or to track the lost check

2008 July 5
Ron Calhoun

I received my stimulus check and lost it.. I reported to the IRS, and filed a form 3911. This morning, a family found the check and returned it to me. I would like to cancel the form 3911. What is my best option?
Sincerely

Ron Calhoun

2008 July 5
Ron Calhoun

I received my stimulus check and lost it.. I reported to the IRS, and filed a form 3911. This morning, a family found the check and returned it to me. I would like to cancel the form 3911. What is my best option?
Sincerely

Ron Calhoun

2008 July 9
cheri

i just never received it… what do i do?

2008 July 9
Linda

My husband and I received the stimulus check, but we have lost it. How do we go about getting it replaced or is this possible?

2008 July 11
diane

my stimulus says it was supposed to been mailed out on june 20 i still havent received what to do?

2008 July 12
Glynda

I received my check, but think I accidently threw it away. What should I do?

2008 July 15
Shondell Reed

i was told that the stimulas check was not to be touch by child support,is this true and if so how can i get another check

2008 July 15
Kelly

For most of you, I can only suggest that you contact the IRS at the number above.

Ron, I’m guessing that you can’t withdraw your form 3911 but I don’t know - I haven’t had that situation yet. If you’ve reported the check as missing, I’d be surprised if that original check is still good - but again, not sure.

Shondell, that’s not true. See this post: http://www.taxgirl.com/ask-the-taxgirl-child-support/

2008 July 15
Airen

My fiancee was due is check my may 23, 2008 by paper - still not here.

My check was due to me June 20 - still not here

What is going on with the IRS??

Anyone else have a LATE check?

2008 July 15
melissa

I signed over my stimulus check to my boyfriend to cash (i cant get a checking or savings) but his bank called him and said they have to reverse the deposit. The bank mailed it to him but that got lost in the mail and now there’s an endorsed check somewhere out there. What can be done?

2008 July 16
J.D.

If you’ve received and lost your stimulus check, call 1-800-829-0582; ext. 725. It’ll take an hour of waiting on hold - I suggest speakerphone and something to do while waiting - and then 6 weeks to process…..have fun!

2008 August 1
Amy

My check was supposedly mailed July 4. It never arrived. I waited until Aug 1, as instructed, to call the help number on the UNDERSTANDING YOUR ECONOMIC STIUMULS PAYMENT notice and the number taxgirl keeps referencing. I get a recording…no help…just a recording.

2008 August 7
Melinda

My husband recently logged on to the IRS when we didn’t get our check. We got a message that we aren’t owed it because they said that my SS# and name don’t agree. I have been married for 15 years and changed my name and have 13 years of W2s, My SS card and a lot of other IDs to prove it and they have even sent lables with a revision of my married name but they insist that my maiden name is the only one they know. I have paid my taxes and still am refused even though they cashed my tax check. The SSA says my name is right and IRS says that the SSA has it as my maiden name and that I have no recourse!
What is the appeal process? The IRS says that there is none.
Melinda

2008 August 7
Kelly

Melinda, do you have copies of old returns?

2008 August 7
Burnice James

My problem is that someone recently stole and cashed my stimulus check! I am not sure if anyone is going to reimburse me and my three children for that stolen $900. Even though I filled out a change of address form, the check was sent to the wrong address. Who is to blame? The post office, the old address, the person who cashed the check, the place where the check was cashed, or me?

2008 August 7
Kelly

Wow, that sucks. That’s why it’s important to change your address with IRS - I’m assuming that’s the form you filled out? Or did you just do it with the post office?
If you know who cashed the check, clearly you should turn them over to the police and consider filing suit. If you don’t, I would consider an action against the check cashing place; they have an obligation to verify identity.

2008 August 11
cheri

ok… so i went to ask my tax preparer lady and her answer was…. “it doesn’t matter if you filed your own tax this year. if your parents claimed you, you’re still not gonna get this stimulus…”
-_-” whatever… when they sent the checks out they should’ve explained it completely and not letting people continually thinking they’ll receive something.

2008 August 11
Amy

(Follow-up to my Aug 1 post - Check never arrived). Took advice from JD’s July 16 post and called 1-800-829-0582; ext. 725. Was on hold for about 35 minutes but connected with a really lovely IRS rep who filed a lost check report and had a great attitude. Yes, I have to wait up to 8 weeks for resolution but they did all the paperwork and we had a good laugh. Awesome support in a less than ideal situation.

2008 August 11
Melinda

Kelly,

I brought the IRS thirteen years worth of tax returns with W-2s that clearly had my name written as it should be as had been validated by my SS card! SSA says that they don’t have any information that needs to be changed because their information is correct and the IRS says that they can’t correct their information because only the SSA can do it. They keep saying the same mantra when I show them returns, SS card, driver’s liscense, W-2s et al……The Social Security Admin put this information in the system. It’s like they think I am stealing my own information and printed my own SS card! They refuse to budge and they have had my maiden name for 15 years!
Melinda

2008 August 11
Kelly

Amy, glad to hear it!

2008 August 11
Kelly

Melinda,
In your case, it really sounds like a call to the Taxpayer Advocate Service is in order. Call the TAS Case Intake Line to see if you are eligible: 1-877-777-4778

Note to other readers: This is NOT a point of contact regarding stimulus checks. The TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with IRS - which is exactly what Melinda is experiencing.

Good luck and let us know how it works out!

2008 August 28
Melinda

Kelly, I am happy to say that we got our check. I persisted and called the number you gave me. They still refuse to correct my name but they
gave me the money. What cracks me up is that they claim my name is Melinda I Dohn and will not reccognize Melinda Iley-Dohn even though I gave them 13 years of W-2s with that name!

2008 September 8
James Hall

This scam is “like stealing candy” from future babies. So where should we invest our “economic stimulus,” to leave to our children and grandchildren who will be stuck with the debt?
What rate of interest would our checks have to earn so that our children can pay the tax burden that our “leaders” have meanly foisted upon them?

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