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Austin man, dead since 2018, gets coronavirus stimulus check—and might have to give it back
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Some Austin residents are receiving stimulus checks even after they have died.
An IRS check for $1200 appeared over the weekend in the mailbox of one local, but it was addressed to her father, who passed away in 2018. The check was also addressed to the daughter as executor of his estate. The daughter has asked that her name not be used.
The $2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress in March, which created the $1200 individual stimulus tax payments, says that payments to estates or trusts are not allowed. The payments are based on 2018 or 2019 tax filings, and clarity has been hard to come by on the issue of checks being mailed to people who have died since their last return was filed.
A call to the IRS media office in Washington D.C. was not returned, but a follow-up email said all current information on the stimulus payments is available on the IRS.gov website. The site does not address the issue of payments to the deceased.
President Donald Trump recently told reporters that the checks to deceased taxpayers were the result of "minor glitches" and that fewer than 1% of the 80 million deposits and checks had any problems. One percent of 80 million is 800,000.
Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told the Wall Street Journal that relatives and estates that have cashed them should pay the money back to the government.
Popular
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
🗓 All weekend
Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
