States with most unclaimed coronavirus stimulus checks

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Many of those who haven’t yet received the first stimulus check have about two weeks to claim their payment this year. The IRS, on its end, is doing everything possible to trace such people, and recently started sending out a letter to such people. Now, in an attempt to encourage state leaders and organizations to help trace such people, the IRS has released a state-by-state list of the number of people who may yet be eligible for coronavirus stimulus checks.

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Why a state-by-state list of unclaimed coronavirus stimulus checks?

It was reported recently that there are as many as 8,863,344 individuals who may be eligible for stimulus checks but haven’t yet claimed it. These people are mostly those who don’t usually file taxes, or haven’t filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. The IRS does not have information on them to verify their eligibility.

Recently, the agency started sending a letter to such people, asking them to use the non-filer tool to provide their information.

“The letter urges recipients to visit the special Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on IRS.gov before the October 15 deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment,” the IRS said in a press release.

Along with sending the letter, the agency also released a state-by-state breakdown of these 8,863,344 individuals, who may be eligible for the coronavirus stimulus checks. The objective behind releasing the list is to encourage state leaders to help people claim their coronavirus stimulus checks.

The IRS released these state-by-state numbers “so that state and local leaders and organizations can better understand the size of this population in their communities and assist them in claiming these important payments,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said.

As per this state-wise list, California (1,186,896) has the highest number and Vermont has the least number (13,665) of unclaimed stimulus checks. You can view the full list by visiting this link.

What to do if you get the letter

Talking about the letter that the IRS is sending out, it provides all the information needed to claim the stimulus check. It includes information on who is eligible for the stimulus payment, how much money one could get and what to do to claim the stimulus payment.

If you also get the letter from the IRS, the first thing you need to do is review the eligibility criteria. You are eligible for the stimulus payment if you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien; and possess a work-eligible Social Security number; and haven’t been claimed as a dependent by someone else on their tax return.

In case you meet the eligibility criteria and you are not required to file a 2019 tax return, then you must use the non-Filer tool by Oct. 15 to give your information to the IRS. The information you provide will help the IRS verify whether or not you are eligible for a stimulus check.