Mnuchin says heirs should return coronavirus payments sent to the deceased

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that people who have received coronavirus relief payments for their deceased relatives should return that money to the federal government.

“You’re not supposed to keep that payment,” Mnuchin told The Wall Street Journal. “We’re checking the databases, but there could be a scenario where we missed something, and yes, the heirs should be returning that money.”

Legislation President Trump signed late last month provided for one-time direct payments to most of Americans of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. The IRS started issuing the payments earlier this month.

A number of taxpayers have had questions or concerns about their payments. One question came up is what people should do if they receive a payment for a dead relative. The IRS has yet to provide formal guidance on the issue.

President Trump said at a press conference earlier this month that he thought payments for dead people should be returned.

“We’ll get that back,” he said, adding that “it’s a tiny amount.”