Nexsen Pruet's Rick Reames Quoted on Stimulus Check Delays
Rick Reames, Nexsen Pruet tax attorney and former director of the S.C. Department of Revenue, recently appeared on midlands news station WIS News 10 to discuss the IRS glitch delaying stimulus checks for many Americans.
During the segment, Reames highlighted the problems surrounding tax preparer companies and the sudden roll out of the stimulus check program that are preventing some Americans from receiving much needed relief.
Excerpt:
On Tax prepares:
Rick Reames, the former director of the S.C. Department of Revenue and a Nexsen Pruet tax attorney, said the checks may be getting put into temporary bank accounts made by the tax preparer.
“Companies like an H&R Block or companies that help taxpayers file returns will often direct refunds to a prepaid gift card or a temporary bank account to allow other things to occur with that money,” Reames said.
Reaves said the tax preparer usually takes out fees before issuing a refund to customers.
On the IRS roll out:
Reames said part of the problem is the IRS has had to roll out the stimulus program essentially overnight.
“They are dealing with 30- and 40-year-old systems that have not been updated in a long time so they are trying to squeeze a stimulus program into a system that wasn’t necessarily designed to do that,” Reames said.
The IRS launched the “Get My Payment” tool for people to track the status of their check, but many who use it are getting a “payment status not available.” The IRS said that is coming up for a number of reasons including if the IRS hasn’t finished processing the individual’s 2019 tax return, if they don’t have the person’s data, or if the person isn’t eligible.
“It’s hard when you need the money now. Patience is not what people want to exercise, but unfortunately, given the large nature of this program and the aging technologies, people are going to have to exercise some patience,” Reames said.
Nexsen Pruet, LLC is one of the largest law firms in the Carolinas, with more than 190 attorneys and offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1945, Nexsen Pruet provides a broad range of legal services to the business community and represents companies and other entities in local, state, national and international venues.
About Maynard Nexsen
Maynard Nexsen is a full-service law firm with more than 550 attorneys in 24 offices from coast to coast across the United States. Maynard Nexsen formed in 2023 when two successful, client-centered firms combined to form a powerful national team. Maynard Nexsen’s list of clients spans a wide range of industry sectors and includes both public and private companies.
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