Economic Impact Payment (EIP) - letter about card not activated (refund, credit)

[ImmerLernen]

We received a letter in today's mail notifying us that we have not yet activated our EIP card (second stimulus). Well, duh...that's because we never received one!

We filed our 2020 Federal tax return a couple weeks ago and claimed the "recovery rebate credit". Return was filed electronically, but no refund has yet been issued.

Today's letter says we are to call the 800# and let them know our EIP card was either lost or stolen so that a replacement card can be issued. I don't want to do that and create a problem with our tax return. I'm fine with just waiting until our return/refund is processed.

Anyone else in this same situation? And have you done any further research? I'm loathe to call the number, sit on hold, and make more of a mess than necessary.

[reed303]

If I were you, I would call the 800# and ask what to do. Either wait for the refund, or replace the card. Giving the IRS some credit, I suspect your return/refund will bounce when they see you have claimed the 1040 Line 30 credit, but were also issued a debit card.

Good Luck.........

[ImmerLernen]

Update: I called the 800# and got to a customer service rep (a polite and serene-sounding fellow, without waiting long at all...what a pleasant surprise!). Right away, he confirmed that since we already filed our return and claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit, we can simply ignore the letter.