How The Third Stimulus Check Became Law
The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11, authorizing a third round of stimulus checks that pay a maximum of $1,400 for millions of Americans. Targeted income limits, however, exclude individuals earning over $80,000 and joint tax filers making more than $160,000.
Biden said at the signing of the bill: this historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country and giving people in this nation working people and middle-class folks, the people who built the country a fighting chance. Thats what the essence of it is.
House Democrats had moved the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill to Bidens desk with a 220-211 vote just one day earlier. But progressives in the party expressed concern over Senate amendments that excluded higher-earning taxpayers from getting a stimulus payment.
Biden agreed to narrow income level requirements as a concession to moderate Senate Democrats who wanted to cap payments for individual taxpayers at $80,000 and joint tax filers at $160,000.
The Senate bill narrowly passed with a 50-49 vote on March 6 after an overnight marathon of disputed amendments and negotiations. A 50-50 tie between both parties was avoided because Senator Dan Sullivan could not vote after returning to Alaska for a family funeral.
Recap Of First And Second Rounds Of Stimulus Payments
Most Americans have received their initial $1,200 stimulus checks, or economic impact payments , as the Internal Revenue Service calls them. The first round of stimulus money, which was approved under the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in March 2020, also included $500 payments for eligible dependent children under age 17. Payments were sent via direct deposit, paper check and prepaid debit card.
Congress included a second round of stimulus checks in a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill in December 2020 that offered most Americans payments of up to $600 for themselves and their dependent children under age 17. It was a way to put more money directly in the pockets of families still struggling to manage the economic fallout of the pandemic. By law the IRS had until January 15, 2021, to issue the bulk of the second-round stimulus checks.
If you didnt get the first two rounds of payments, or thought you didnt get as much as you deserved, you can collect your missing stimulus money by filing a 2020 tax return and claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit.
John Waggoner covers all things financial for AARP, from budgeting and taxes to retirement planning and Social Security. Previously he was a reporter forKiplinger’s Personal FinanceandUSA Todayand has written books on investing and the 2008 financial crisis. Waggoner’sUSA Todayinvesting column ran in dozens of newspapers for 25 years.
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How Will I Get My Third Stimulus Check
You dont need to do anything to get your stimulus check. The IRS will determine eligibility based on the last tax return that you filed, either 2019 or 2020, and will likely send your payment to the bank account where your tax refund was deposited.
As part of the income tax filing, the IRS receives accurate banking information for all TurboTax filers who received a tax refund, which the IRS is able to use to quickly and effectively deposit stimulus payments.
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Wheres My Third Stimulus Check
OVERVIEW
The American Rescue Plan, a new COVID relief bill, includes a third round of stimulus payments for millions of Americans. Get updated on the latest information as it evolves.
For information on the third coronavirus relief package, please visit our American Rescue Plan: What Does it Mean for You and a Third Stimulus Check blog post.
A third round of stimulus checks is on the way for millions.
The American Rescue Plan, a new COVID relief bill, was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The bill includes a third round of stimulus payments for millions of Americans. We know these funds are important to you, and we are here to help.
If you are eligible, you could get up to $1,400 in stimulus checks for each taxpayer in your family plus an additional $1,400 per dependent. This means a family with two children could receive $5,600.
The IRS began issuing the first batch of stimulus payments, and they could arrive as early as this weekend , with more arriving over the coming week. Further batches of payments will arrive during the following weeks. If youre eligible, check the status of your stimulus payment and the way itll be sent to you by going to the IRS Get My Payment Tool, which will be live on March 15th.
To find out if you are eligible and how much you can expect, visit our stimulus calculator.
Who Is Eligible For A Third Stimulus Check
Some people may or may not be eligible for receiving a stimulus check. Among people that can expect this check include:
- Individuals with an $80,000 AGI or less
- Head of household with a $120,000 AGI or less
- Couples filing jointly with a $150,000 AGI or less
- Dependents of every age, if the guardian qualifies
- Families with mixed US citizenship
- US citizens who live abroad
- Citizens living on US territories
- Incarcerated people
- Non-citizens that pay taxes
Most people living in the US can indeed be expected to receive a stimulus check, provided they have US citizenship, have a visa, or at least pay U.S. taxes. With that in mind, certain categories are disqualified from receiving a stimulus check and this will precisely help you determine whether you are eligible for receiving it as well or not.
Eligibility is based on your adjusted gross income, and the amount of money that you receive will be calculated on the same basis.
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How Will My Check Be Delivered
Taxpayers who are eligible and previously provided their direct deposit information to the IRS will not be required to do anything. Their check will automatically deposit in their bank account.
Taxpayers who dont have direct deposit set up will instead receive a paper check in the mail. In 2020, stimulus checks delivered via mail were sent out a few days after direct deposits started. Its reasonable to expect the same delay this go-round.
Claiming Missing Or Partial Stimulus Payments In 2022 Via 2021 Tax Return Filing
The IRS now stopped making catch-up or retroactive stimulus payments. Per the latest FAQ they have announced that tax filers who didnt get the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payments must file a 2021 tax return even if you dont usually file taxes to claim the payment as a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit .
This was the same process for 2020 EIP in 2021, as discussed in the sections below. Any stimulus payments you receive will reduce the tax you owe for 2021 or increase your tax refund.
2021 payments claimed via your tax return can however be offset for any past due federal or state agency debt.
If you already got the third stimulus check as an advance payment in 2021, which would be reflected on IRS notice 1444-C or Letter 6475 mailed to you earlier this year, you do not need to take any action. It is a refundable credit and exempt from your gross income.
The IRS has it on their records and will automatically account for it when you file your return. You can also see a payment transaction history on your transcript or online IRS account.
If you try and claim it again intentionally or by mistake however you will likely face a refund delay as the IRS systems will flag it and offset any overpayments.
The third dependentstimulus payment is subject to the same rules above, and new dependent payments can be claimed via your tax return.
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Where Is My Third Stimulus Check
You can track the status of your third stimulus check by using the IRS Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish. You can see whether your third stimulus check has been issued and whether your payment type is direct deposit or mail.
When you use the IRS Get My Payment tool, you will get one of the following messages:
Payment Status, which means:
- A payment has been processed. You will be shown a payment date and whether the payment type is direct deposit or mail or
- Youre eligible, but a payment has not been processed and a payment date is not available.
Payment Status Not Available, which means:
- Your payment has not been processed or
- Youre not eligible for a payment.
Need More Information, which means:
- Your payment was returned to the IRS because the post office was unable to deliver it. If this message is displayed, you will have a chance to enter your banking information and receive your payment as a direct deposit. Otherwise, you will need to update your address before the IRS can send you your payment.
Amount And Status Of Your Third Payment
You can no longer use the Get My Payment application to check your payment status.
To find the amount of the third payment, create or view your online account or refer to IRS Notice 1444-C, which we mailed after sending your payment. Were also sending Letter 6475 through March 2022 confirming the total amount of the third Economic Impact Payment and any plus-up payments you were issued for tax year 2021.
You can also securely access your individual tax information with an IRS online account to view your total Economic Impact Payment amounts under the 2021 tax year tab. You will need the total of the third payment and any plus-up payments you received to accurately calculate the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 federal tax return in 2022.
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Tips For Individuals During The Coronavirus Pandemic
- If you dont need to use your stimulus check for anything urgent, consider investing or saving the money. A financial advisor can help you get started if you need help managing your money or investments. SmartAssets free tool can match you with financial advisors in your area in just five minutes. Get started now.
- If you are struggling to keep up with loan or credit card payments, you can take steps to protect your credit score and speak with your bank directly to see whether you can defer loan payments or waive certain fees.
- If you can afford it, investing in index funds during a recession is a safe option. But if youre looking for a slightly more aggressive approach, check out some free investment classes to learn more.
The First Round Of Stimulus Checks
The first round of stimulus payments were authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. In 2020, the IRS had issued 162 million payments totaling $271 billion. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that those first-round payments will eventually cost a total of $292 billion.
Those initial payments issued earlier in 2020 were $1,200 per person, or $2,400 for those filing jointly, plus $500 per qualifying child. The payments began phasing out at the same income levels as the current payments, but since the payments authorized under the CARES Act were larger, the maximum income levels to receive a payment were also larger:
- $99,000 for single taxpayers
- $136,500 for taxpayers filing as head of household
- $198,000 for married couples filing jointly
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Claiming Your Stimulus Check In Your 2020 Tax Return
Eligible individuals who did not receive an Economic Impact Payment this year either the first or the second payment due to a myriad of possible reasons will be able to claim it when they file their 2020 taxes in 2021. People will see the Economic Impact Payments referred to as the Recovery Rebate Credit on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR since the EIPs are an advance payment of the RRC.
If you did not give the IRS your direct deposit account information through your federal tax return in the last two years, and have not provided the IRS with your information as a non-filer, you will likely receive a US Treasury check or debit card in some circumstances. The check will be mailed to the address on file at the IRS from the prior year tax return. It could take 5 to 6 weeks to get the check via mail.
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Will My Stimulus Check Be Based On My 2019 Or 2020 Income
For this third stimulus check, eligibility will be based on taxpayers most recent return: either 2019 or 2020.
That means Americans who saw income declines in 2020 could potentially benefit if they had already filed. Thats what Sen. Ron Wyden suggested last month when he tweeted: Tax filing season starts February 12. By filing your taxes early, youll ensure your next relief payment will be based off of your most recent income. If you lost wages in 2020 as a result of this pandemic, file your taxes ASAP to ensure you get the help you need.
However, if you believe you received a smaller amount of stimulus money in 2020 than you qualified for because you had changes to your income or life that wouldnt be reflected in your 2019 return, you might be eligible to get those funds through the Recovery Rebate Credit, in addition to the new $1,400 payment. In that case, you can fill out the Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet in the Form 1040 instructions.
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Plus Up Payments For Those With Updated Information Or Missing Stimulus Checks
IRS EIP/stimulus payments now include ongoing supplemental payments for people who earlier in March received payments based on their 2019 tax returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their recently processed 2020 tax returns . These plus-up payments could include a situation where a persons income dropped in 2020 compared to 2019, or a person had a new child or dependent on their 2020 tax return, and other situations.
Millions of catch-up or plus-up payments have also now been issued to individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have information to issue a Stimulus payment but who recently filed a 2020 tax return.
Fourth Stimulus Check Approval: Here’s What It’ll Take
The White House hasn’t responded to any of the proposals for additional stimulus checks, and the general sentiment is that a fourth stimulus check isn’t likely. Economists have suggested we’ve already moved past the pandemic’s worst financial woes, although there are signs that Americans could still use relief.
Experts certainly seem in agreement that there won’t be a fourth stimulus check. The latest stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan, is “gonna be the last on that front,” Deutsche Bank senior U.S. economist Brett Ryan told Fortune . “No more checks.”
Ed Mills, Washington policy analyst at Raymond James, agreed, telling CNBC recently “I think its unlikely at this time. D.C. has largely started to pivot towards the recovery and an infrastructure bill.”
Many economists and financial experts are worried that the third stimulus checks have contributed to a growing inflation rate. In June 2021, the core inflation rate, stripped of energy and food prices, rose 4.5% at an annual rate vs. the Dow Jones estimate of 3.8%. The overall consumer price index rose at an annualized 5.4% rate in June.
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When Will I Get My Stimulus Check
The IRS has begun distributing stimulus payments. The first batch of stimulus payments could arrive as early as this weekend , with more arriving over the coming week. Further batches of payments will arrive during the following weeks.
For information on when you can expect your stimulus payment, check the IRS Get My Payment tool, which will be live starting March 15th.
Eligible Parents Of Children Born In 2021 And Families That Added Qualifying Dependents In 2021 Should Claim The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit Most Other Eligible People Already Received The Full Amount And Wont Need To Claim A Credit On Their Tax Return
The third-round Economic Impact Payment was an advance payment of the tax year 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. The amount of the third-round Economic Impact Payment was based on the income and number of dependents listed on an individual’s 2019 or 2020 income tax return. The amount of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit is based on the income and number of dependents listed on an individual’s 2021 income tax return.
Families and individuals in the following circumstances, among others, may not have received the full amount of their third-round Economic Impact Payment because their circumstances in 2021 were different than they were in 2020. These families and individuals may be eligible to receive more money by claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 income tax return:
- Parents of a child born in 2021 who claim the child as a dependent on their 2021 income tax return may be eligible to receive a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit of up to $1,400 for this child.
- All eligible parents of qualifying children born or welcomed through adoption or foster care in 2021 are also encouraged to claim the child tax credit worth up to $3,600 per child born in 2021 on their 2021 income tax return.
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