IRS mistakenly sends stimulus checks to foreign workers

[r2d2]

 

With no clear guidance on how to return it, foreign workers are holding onto the money or racing to spend it before the Internal Revenue Service realizes the mistake.

 

Thousands of foreign workers, many living overseas, are receiving stimulus checks designated for U.S. residents due to an unforeseen glitch that funneled taxpayer dollars to other countries, according to tax consultants and the recipients themselves.

College-age workers who spent time in the U.S. in the last two years — some of whom returned home long before the coronavirus pandemic — have been surprised to find $1,200 checks deposited into their bank accounts. And with no clear guidance on how to return it, they’re holding onto the money or racing to spend it before the Internal Revenue Service realizes the mistake.

The incorrect payments were likely distributed to thousands of foreigners in April, said Donna Kepley, president of the tax firm Arctic International who has spoken with dozens of clients over the past two weeks. The error stems from a common tax-filing blunder, particularly for those on F-1 student and J-1 exchange visas. These workers, studying at universities and working summer jobs, often turn to TurboTax and other e-filing systems without knowing that the systems are designed only for U.S. residents.

As a result, many temporary foreign workers each year file the wrong tax forms. The IRS rarely catches the error because nonimmigrant workers’ Social Security numbers have the same number of digits as those of U.S. citizens, and therefore appear to be identical, accountants say.

Usually, the error doesn’t much matter, but this year it’s causing the IRS to think certain foreign workers are eligible for one-time stimulus payments. The glitch affects both workers in the U.S. and those who recently left the country.

The IRS and TurboTax did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

[tacobell fan]

Rush lo oka $10 Million loss kuda avvakudadhu ante ela

[r2d2]

Naaku ivvachchu kada..

[jefferson1]

3 minutes ago, tacobell fan said:

Rush lo oka $10 Million loss kuda avvakudadhu ante ela

immigrants meeda padi edavataniki oka reason dorikindi

[VictoryTDP]

Printing teevratha penchali inko check kosam waiting andaru

[Meowmeow]

3 minutes ago, tacobell fan said:

Rush lo oka $10 Million loss kuda avvakudadhu ante ela

Yep, we got an email that some students before 5th year also received money, and if they are not after 5th year they should return it. 

[VictoryTDP]

2 minutes ago, Meowmeow said:

Yep, we got an email that some students before 5th year also received money, and if they are not after 5th year they should return it. 

Nice. 

[bhaigan]

1 minute ago, Meowmeow said:

Yep, we got an email that some students before 5th year also received money, and if they are not after 5th year they should return it. 

auto debit chesukovachu

[tacobell fan]

24 minutes ago, Meowmeow said:

Yep, we got an email that some students before 5th year also received money, and if they are not after 5th year they should return it. 

Ichindhi tirigi iche alavatu ledu

[Gaali_Gottam_Govinda]

If tatha wins again......... Ee reason teeskuni........ pacha card apply chesinappudu Government assistance teeskunav......... Ur not eligible thengey antadi USCIS.

[mustang302]

Idhi first world country kaadhu,4th world country laga behaving 🤣🤣🤣lol tatha and his subs.

[raaajaaa]

ila cheyadam valla na lanti geninue persons ki tivra nastam

[RunRaajaRun123]

It is about people who already left and are not us residents any more

it is not about our h1 uncles

[nirantaraprakriya]

1 hour ago, Meowmeow said:

Yep, we got an email that some students before 5th year also received money, and if they are not after 5th year they should return it. 

Don’t post fake news @MeowmeowLanjodaka ani @jaglaqq telling

they are sending based on 2018/2019 tax filings 

[jaglaqq]

4 minutes ago, nirantaraprakriya said:

Don’t post fake news @MeowmeowLanjodaka ani @jaglaqq telling

they are sending based on 2018/2019 tax filings 

Rey stop tagging me.