Stimulus Check Tracking Update: When Will $600 Payment Be on IRS 'Get My Payment' Site?

Direct payments are making their way to Americans after President Donald Trump finally agreed to sign the $900 billion coronavirus relief package approved by Congress.

The payment is generally $600 for singles who earned less than $75,000 and $1,200 for married couples who filed taxes jointly and earned less than $150,000, with those earning more getting reduced payments.

Those with qualifying children will also get $600 for each qualifying child. Dependents who are 17 and over are not eligible for the child payment.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday that direct deposits for every eligible man, woman and child had started and paper checks would be mailed out starting on Wednesday.

As of Friday morning, the IRS's "Get My Payment" portal was still offline but when it comes back into service, people will be able to check the status of both first- and second-round stimulus payments in English and Spanish.

In a statement, the IRS said that the portal "is being updated with new information," and anticipates "it will be available again in a few days."

The statement also makes a subtle reference to the battle to more than triple the payments to $2,000, which Trump has pushed. The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted 275-134 to meet Trump's demand but the fate of such a measure is uncertain in the Republican-controlled Senate when the House meets again on January 3.

"This second round of payments will be distributed automatically, with no action required for eligible individuals. If additional legislation is enacted to provide for an increased amount, Economic Impact Payments that have been issued will be topped up as quickly as possible," the IRS statement said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked an attempted vote on boosting payments but has hinted he might tie increased direct payments to a repeal of legislation protecting social media companies from lawsuits.

Included in the $900 billon bipartisan bill is a deadline of 15 January 2021 when the IRS and U.S. Treasury must stop sending checks.

Those who have not received their full second stimulus check by that date will have to claim all or part of the missing amount when filing federal tax returns in 2021.

Meanwhile, Americans awaiting payments either by direct deposit or a check in the mail, have been warned to be wary of scams.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued guidance warning people that the government will not ask for any payment up front to get the money, nor will it call, text or email to ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card details.

"Anyone who does is a scammer," it said.