Other than a taxpayer submitting an IRS Form 3911, is there anything else a taxpayer can do to get his/her (as yet not received) $1200 stimulus payment?
Background: A VITA client recently stated he never received the first round stimulus payment of $1200. With VITA help he e-filed his 2020 Form 1040. The 2020 return properly indicated on Lines 30 and 34 that the client was owed $1800 (the $1200 for the first round and the $600 for the second round).
The IRS direct deposited only $600.
The client brought in his bank statements the other day. He had his bank aggressively go looking for a $1200 deposit. The $600 deposit and the $1400 deposit in early Spring 2021 are clearly shown on the bank statements. He said he never received a check in the mail.
For the last decade this client has always had only Social Security income. He has had no taxable income. To get the client's return to e-file, the VITA people put in the usual $1 of other income. Subsequently the state return properly e-files, and the client can get a particular state anti-poverty credit (meaning bucks in his pocket).
The other day VITA had the guy complete an IRS Form 3911. I had him attach a copy of his 2020 Form 1040 to the Form 3911. I wrote a five sentence cover letter for the client stating he was missing the first round $1200 stimulus payment and requesting payment of same.
Is there anything more that can be done to get the client his $1200?
My best guess on what happened:
-- The $1200 check was lost in the mail and a crook cashed it. IRS records may reflect the same.
-- The client received the check; cashed it; and forgot or is being dishonest.
Is it more likely than not that the $1200 check was mailed, due to no recent direct deposit information being on the client's 2019 and earlier tax returns?
The client is elderly and not capable of going through the ridiculous kryptonite-proof steps the IRS now requires to see what the IRS site says about his stimulus payment. (If said IRS site is even still active.)