SHOWDOWN LOOMING IN CONGRESS OVER ELECTORAL COLLEGE; SOME $600 COVID RELIEF CHECKS GOING TO WRONG ACCOUNTS

A number of taxpayers who use tax preparation services, such as H&R Block and Turbo Tax, say their second relief payments were sent to the incorrect bank account, forcing them to wait longer for their money.

The IRS and the Treasury Department began issuing the Economic Impact Payments last week. The payment is $600 for each eligible adult and dependent for people earning up to $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Those earning more than that are eligible for a reduced payment.

The IRS said that direct deposit payments would take several days to post to individual accounts but funds were largely available on Monday. Some payments are also being sent via paper check or debit cards during the month of January.

Taxpayers can use the Get My Payment tool on the IRS website to find out about the status of their payment. However, many people said they checked the IRS site and found their payments were sent to an account they did not recognize.

Samantha Smith of Dallas said she received her $1,200 relief payment in the spring via direct deposit without any issues. But her payment for this round of relief went to an account she did not recognize.

She contacted Turbo Tax, which prepared her most recent tax filing, and was told if she paid her tax preparation fees with her refund due, rather than paying for it upfront, then the second payment may have been sent to a Turbo Tax bank. Several other taxpayers who paid their fees the same way also reported delays.

Tanya Roberts dies at 65

Actress Tanya Roberts, who captivated James Bond in “A View to a Kill,” died late Monday, several hours after she was mistakenly reported dead by her publicist and her partner. She was 65.