Americans have been waiting weeks to see if Congress will approve a fourth stimulus check, especially at this time of year.
The reopening of the U.S. economy has been slow, and businesses claim they can't find people to work. Regardless, many Americans believe a fourth stimulus package is necessary.
Among the many concerns raised about stimulus payments, the likelihood of $600, $1,200, or $2,000 payments is the most pressing. Some suggestions even propose providing Americans regular stimulus checks until the coronavirus outbreak is over.
With the cost of living increasing, inflation at an all-time high, and employment figures that have repeatedly disappointed experts, conditions look to be ideal for a fourth stimulus package.
However, politicians, including some prominent Democrats, are opposed to spending more taxpayer money.
.A fourth stimulus check by Christmas appears improbable. Democrats, however, have the option of including another stimulus payment in the next funding bill. That has yet to be passed, and a fourth stimulus check could be included in the next debt ceiling fight in Congress in December.
In the meantime, the IRS is urging people to be patient as they work through a backlog that dates back decades. The IRS has been laboring to process millions of tax returns, stimulus payouts, and monthly child tax credit advance payments.
All of this has put a strain on the agency, which is already short-staffed.
Anyone who believes they were due a stimulus payment but did not receive it in 2021 will have to wait until income tax filing season in 2022, according to the IRS. While the IRS has an online site for updating key pieces of information, the agency is unlikely to be able to clear the full backlog by the end of 2021.
The IRS advises people to focus on keeping their information up to current with the agency. If your residences, income, and other pertinent details are correct, your problem is likely to be resolved sooner rather than later.
A reminder on the IRS website indicates that filling out the form will not result in requests being answered more quickly. The agency has also stated that more adequately qualified personnel will be required in the future to avoid problems similar to those encountered this year.
