Dont Wait For A 4th Stimulus Check To Take Control Of Your Money
Getting your hands on some extra cash when youre in a tough spot can feel like a breath of fresh air, but dont depend on a stimulus as your money plan. Weve said it before and well say it again and again dont wait around for the government to take care of you. Its never a good bet.
And truth be told, youll be waiting around for a long time. Sure, a fourth stimulus check can help you out, but it isnt going to be your lifeline. If you really want to take control of your money, you need a proven plan that you are in charge of.
Look, stimulus checks will only keep you afloat for so long. But knowing how to budget, save and manage your money long term will help you go from just survivingto thriving. And we know just the thing to get you there.
When you budget with EveryDollar, you’re more likely to stay on top of your spending and make progress toward your money goals. Get your money working for you and start creating the life you wantwithout waiting on the government. Start budgeting for free with EveryDollar today!
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Fourth Stimulus Check Possible Timeline
Right now, there is no fourth stimulus check timeline or fourth stimulus check release date. Until legislation is in motion, we can’t say how soon more relief money might arrive. We can’t say whether more relief money is coming, at all.
That said, the third stimulus check timeline happened rather quickly following Biden’s inauguration Jan. 20. It only took a few weeks for Congress to debate his American Rescue Plan. Once the president signed the bill on March 11, $1,400 checks were put in motion.
The IRS can begin sending out possible fourth stimulus checks in the same manner it sent the previous stimulus payments. Since the framework is already in place, Americans could begin receiving the fourth stimulus checks about two weeks after a relief bill allowing another round of direct payments is approved.
Will Social Security Recipients Get A 4th Stimulus Check Petition Calls For $1400 Payments
In this Feb. 11, 2005 file photo, trays of printed social security checks wait to be mailed from the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia. AP
An influential non-partisan group that lobbies on behalf of senior citizens is continuing to push Congress for a fourth stimulus payment to benefit senior citizens.
The Senior Citizens League recently sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to consider a targeted stimulus designed to benefit Social Security recipients. The group is asking for a $1,400 payment.
Weve heard from thousands of them who have exhausted their retirement savings, who have started eating just one meal a day, started cutting their pills in half because they cant afford their prescription drugs, to list just a few of the drastic steps so many have had to take because of what inflation has done to them this year, the letter from TSCL Chairman Rick Delaney said.
A $1,400 stimulus check for Social Security recipients, Delany noted, would be a way to get extra non-taxable income into the hands of senior citizens.
We believe that a special stimulus for Social Security recipients could help defray the higher costs some would face if next years COLA bumps them into a higher tax bracket, causing higher tax rates on their income and surcharges to their Medicare Part B premiums, he said.
Read Also: Check On Status Of Stimulus Check
Is Congress Talking About A Fourth Stimulus Check
There are no signs that lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are in serious discussions about a fourth direct payment stimulus check. While there have been calls by the public and from some lawmakers for recurring payments, there has been practically nothing in terms of action.
Emails and phone calls to the White House, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., chair of the House Budget Committee, asking if such payments are under discussion were not returned.
One pandemic-related stimulus that is being considered for an extension is the monthly advance child tax credit. It raised the previous tax credit from $2,000 at tax time to $3,000-$3,600 with the option of monthly payments. A one-year extension is part of the Build Back Better bill that passed the House. But Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., announced Sunday he would not vote for it. With no Republicans on board, passage of the bill is doomed unless an alternative is found.
A group of Democrats sent a letter to Biden in back in May , but the letter did not get into specifics and nothing else came of it.
A change.org petition started by Denver restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin in 2020 called on Congress to pass regular checks of $2,000 for adults and $1,000 for kids for the duration of the pandemic crisis.
As of late December, the petition has reached nearly 3 million signatures.
Should I Hold Off On Filing My Tax Return
It likely wont make a difference in the longer term other than to update dependent or payment data, but the IRS will only use your 2020 tax return data to determine eligibility for this round of stimulus checks if they have processed your return . If your 2020 return has not been filed and processing, they will use 2019 tax data for payment.
If your 2020 return is filed and/or processed after the IRS sends you a third stimulus check, but before July 15, 2021 the IRS would send you a second payment or require a repayment for the difference between what your payment should have been if based on your 2020 return and the payment actually sent based on your 2019 return.
Recommended Reading: I Never Received Any Stimulus Checks
How Have Americans Spent Their Stimulus Checks
There have been threecount themthree wide-reaching stimulus checks from the government since the pandemic hit. And now that a good chunk of time has gone by since they dished out the first one, were starting to see how people spent that money. Our State of Personal Finance study found that of those who got a stimulus check:
- 41% used it to pay for necessities like food and bills
- 38% saved the money
- 11% spent it on things not considered necessities
- 5% invested the money
And on top of that, heres some good news: Data from the Census Bureau shows that food shortages went down by 40% and financial instability shrank by 45% after the last two stimulus checks.25 Thats a big deal. But the question here isif people are in a better spot now, will they be more likely to manage their money to make sure things stay that way?
A Timeline Of Past Stimulus Checks
The pandemic stimulus payments started nearly two years ago.
Stimulus checks were first deposited in the spring of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning, driving up the unemployment rate and causing financial hardship for many. Individuals with income below $75,000 received $1,200 and couples earning below $150,000 received $2,400.
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The Trump administration then in December 2020 $600 per individual taxpayer, $1,200 per married couple and an additional $600 for each child under the age of 17.
A third round came under the Biden administration in March 2021, giving $1,400 per individual and $2,800 per married couple, along with $1,400 per dependent this time regardless of age.
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Stimulus Update: Will There Be A Stimulus Check For Inflation
Hey, weve all felt the pain of high prices on gas, groceries and just about everything else. To combat inflation, nearly 20 states have decided to give out inflation stimulus checks.
Each state has different guidelines for its inflation stimulus plans. Some states are offering tax rebates while others are sending direct payments that range from $50 up to more than $1,000.
Congress is also considering sending out a $100 gas rebate check to everyone in every month the national average gas price is $4 or more. But so far, the Gas Rebate Act of 2022 hasnt picked up much speedand neither has the idea for a federal gas tax holiday.
Biden Calls For $1400 Third Stimulus Checks As Part Of $19 Trillion Relief Package
Under President Biden’s plan for a third stimulus check, families with older dependents would benefit, but payments could be “targeted” to the most in need.
A third stimulus check of $1,400 that’s what President Joe Biden is calling for in his $1.9 economic stimulus plan. This, when combined with the $600 second-round payments authorized last month, would bring the total post-CARES Act stimulus check relief to $2,000 per eligible person.
President Biden also wants to expand eligibility for the additional payments that, for the first two stimulus checks, only went to families with dependent children under age 17. Under the president’s plan, the additional payments would also go to all dependents, regardless of age. This would include children over 16 years of age, college students age 23 or younger, and elderly parents living with their adult children. Under Biden’s plan, Americans who can claim these people as dependents on their tax return would get an additional $1,400 per dependent tacked on to their third stimulus check.
A plan summary also states the third-round payments would also go to “all mixed status households.” That presumably means that if one spouse qualifies for a payment but the other one doesn’t , then the family would still be eligible for payments for qualifying members of the household.
Read Also: Washington State Stimulus Checks 2022
When Will The New Stimulus Payments/checks Be Made
The IRS will be responsible for making these stimulus payment checks and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, whose department oversees the IRS, said that payments go out within a week of the bill being formally approved.
This means payments could hit bank accounts before the end of the year. Payments would be made in multiple batches and if all goes according to plan the first round of payments would begin on 12/28 . Processing will go until January 15th for Direct Deposit payments. Checks and Debit Cards will take until the end of January 2020 to get processed. See more on the IRS Stimulus Check Payment Schedule.
The inclusion of the one-time stimulus payment however has also meant a cut in extra unemployment benefits that are also part of the overall package. More to come as the bill gets finalized and I will post updates. See this $600 stimulus update video for a quick summary as well.
Stimulus Check Payout Schedule
The IRS has confirmed that the distribution of economic impact payments has started and millions of Americans should have their stimulus check payment by now. Note that this will likely only apply to those receiving the payment via direct deposit . You can see the status of your stimulus check payment on the IRS Get My Payment portal.
- Direct Deposit payments will generally be deposited 2 to 3 days after the IRS confirms income eligibility for the payout.
- Physical checks will take at least 6 to 8 weeks to be mailed out.
Social Security Retirees and Disability recipients who are eligible for the payment will get the stimulus checks/payments deposited the same way they currently get their payments.
Given over 120 million Americans could be eligible for the payment, it will take a while to process the stimulus checks.
Recommended Reading: Irs Gov Stimulus Payment Status
If I Take The Advance Payment How Does This Affect Next Years Taxes
Good question, you guys. The biggest thing here is if your income increases in 2021, then you might get more money in the Child Tax Credit than you actually should get. Remember, guys, theyre basing the amount they think you should get on your 2020 tax return . So,if you or your spouse got a raise at work and it bumped you over the qualifying amount, the IRS doesnt know about it.
If youre super confused by all of this, youre not alone. The State of Personal Finance study found that 70% of parents who qualify for the Child Tax Credit money say theyre afraid to spend it because they dont know how it will impact their taxes next year. That totally makes sense, guysbut dont stay in the dark here. Its so important to be in the know about these changes and how they affect you.
With all these tax changes, its a good idea to call in the folks who live and breathe this stuff. If you want your taxes done the right way, check in with a RamseyTrusted tax pro. Theyre the experts who can walk you through this new Child Tax Credit change and how it impacts your money. And theyll help you make the right call on whether you should take the advance payments or leave them alone. They can also show you the best way to plan out your taxesyou know, so you dont end up with a huge scary bill or a crazy high refund. When it comes to your tax questions, leave it to the pros.
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Fourth Stimulus Check Update: Is Another $1400 Stimulus Check Coming
Some Democrats are calling for recurring stimulus checks until the coronavirus pandemic is over, pushing for the measure to be included in President Joe Bidens infrastructure and jobs plan.
Roughly one month after the Biden administration signed off on a third stimulus check of $1,400 for eligible Americans, advocacy groups and congressional Democrats have pivoted their efforts toward providing a fourth direct payment, arguing that the critical relief must continue.
And some Democrats are until the coronavirus pandemic is over, pushing for the measure to be included in President Joe Bidens infrastructure and jobs plan.
We urge you to include recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions tied to economic conditions in your Build Back Better long-term economic plan, a group of lawmakers wrote in a letter to the president.
But with a growing number of GOP senators urging the president to shrink his $2 trillion infrastructure proposal and Sen. Chris Coons , a Biden ally, signaling an openness to work with Republican colleagues on a smaller bill, the presence of a fourth stimulus check is likely to hit a slew of hurdles on Capitol Hill, where Democrats already have razor-thin margins.
Senate Republicans recently put forward an $800 billion infrastructure proposal, but Cornyn said he would support a plan that focuses on transportation and broadband.
Image: Reuters
Also Check: Never Got First Stimulus Check
Do People Need A Fourth Stimulus Check
According to CNBC , there is a case for a fourth stimulus check that goes beyond the calls from lawmakers. The Economic Security Project, a progressive organization that advocates for guaranteed income no matter what the state of the economy, says there’s a need for more stimulus checks.
We need at least one more check, said Adam Ruben.
Ruben, the campaign director at the Economic Security Project, also said that stimulus checks should be “automatic,” and not stalled as they were last summer when second stimulus check negotiations caused a long gap between the $1,200 and $600 payments.
There are signs of recovery, though. The June jobs report showed a gain of 850,000, which was better than expected, according to The New York Times . That’s the strongest one-month gain since last summer.
Likewise, the Commerce Department said that gross domestic product had grown at an annualized rate of 6.5% for April through June of 2021, surpassing the figure it had reached before the pandemic, the Washington Post reported. However, that was less than the 8% GDP growth some economists had forecast.
Regardless, certain lawmakers are pushing for relief.
This unprecedented moment demands an unprecedented response. People dont only need relief, they need stability, certainty, and predictability and the ABC Act delivers them exactly that,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal .
However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, didn’t appear to agree.
What If I Missed A Stimulus Payment In 2020
Do not fret if for whatever reason you missed the $1,200 or $600 check, or both. The money can be claimed in the form of a tax refund.
The IRS has set up a Recovery Rebate Credit that would go on line 30 of the 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Filing electronically is the easiest way to address the situation. The IRS web site has a questionnaire to help you see if you are eligible and helps you calculate and determine that you should have received that money.
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Fourth Stimulus Payment Sorry Congress Has Approved Nothing
A recent viral social media post claimed, falsely, that another round of stimulus checks are on the way.
Since the start of the pandemic, the federal government has passed three legislative packages that included stimulus checks for most Americans, including two last year during the Trump Administration, and a third this spring by the Biden Administration.
Ever since the American Rescue Plan passed, there have been calls for a fourth stimulus check, possibly to pass as part of the Biden Administrations proposed infrastructure package. However, the Biden Administration has resisted taking that step, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki seeming to reject the idea in a recent press briefing.
However, a recent viral social media post claimed, falsely, that another round of stimulus checks are on the way.
USA Today picked up the story, looking into the claim that there will be a 4th stimulus by Memorial weekend 2k a person.
The possible source of confusion is that there are indeed child tax credit payments going out to families later this year. Those are recurring checks, and some media accounts have used the word stimulus to describe them, but they are not stimulus checks in the sense that they go out to almost everyone in the country.
Meanwhile, the president has proposed in his American Families Plan to extend those child tax credits through 2025, although a competing proposal from Congress has called for those credits to be made permanent.
