Duplicate Stimulus Checks Creating Confusion for Americans (1)

Confusion abounds for individuals who have received multiple relief payments from the IRS—including whether they will be penalized for keeping the extra money.

Last spring, the IRS paid out more than $69 million in erroneous stimulus checks under the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136) within two months of its enactment, many stemming from changes in marital status, according to the internal IRS watchdog that tabulated them.

Recently some people who receive Social Security benefits have received duplicate payments under March’s $1.9 trillion relief law (Public Law 117-2).

Tax and legal professionals aren’t entirely sure what the consequences of ...