Who Was Eligible To Receive A Stimulus Payment
Generally, U.S. citizens and green card holders were eligible for the stimulus payments. Also, a 2021 law expanded who was eligible for a stimulus payment.
In the first round of payments, joint returns of couples where only 1 member of the couple had a Social Security number were not eligible for a payment unless they were a member of the military. Under a 2021 law, these families became eligible to receive a stimulus payment, including the additional payment for their dependent children.
The 2021 law also made this expansion retroactive to the first round of stimulus payments. If your family did not receive the first stimulus payment because only 1 spouse had an SSN, you could claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when you filed your 2020 federal income tax return.
Americans Who Didnt Receive The Full Stimulus Amount That They Were Entitled To
If you received a payment but you dont think it was as much as it shouldve been, you should claim your Recovery Rebate Credit.
Americans should first think back to what they were eligible for from both rounds of stimulus payments. Individuals earning up to $75,000 in adjustable gross income were eligible for the full $1,200 payment in March and the second $600 payment from late December and early January. Married couples earning up to $150,000 were eligible for payments twice that size. Those earners were also eligible for an extra $500 and $600 for every dependent claimed on their taxes.
After that, payments phased out by $5 per every $100 over those income thresholds. This is probably where it gets a bit trickier.
Because the first stimulus check was larger, payments phased out at a later point on the income scale than they did for the second round. Reduced $1,200 checks went out to individuals who made up to $99,000 a year and married couples who earned up to $198,000. In the second round, individuals and married filers were eligible for a partial check up until earning $87,000 and $174,000, respectively.
Its important to calculate first for yourself how much youre owed. Then, compare that with official documents from the IRS showing your stimulus check amount. Those can include the letter accompanying your payment, as well as another special form, Notice 1444 or Notice 1444-B, which most likely came with your first check earlier in 2020.
The Third Round Of Stimulus Checks
The most recent checks were included in the American Rescue Plan, which was enacted on March 11, 2021. Eligible individuals will receive a payment of $1,400 , plus an additional $1,400 per eligible child. However, those payments phase out quickly for incomes above $75,000 for single taxpayers, above $112,500 for taxpayers filing as head of household, and above $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Taxpayers would be ineligible for any payment, unless they have a qualifying child, above the following income levels:
- $80,000 for single taxpayers
- $120,000 for taxpayers filing as head of household
- $160,000 for married couples filing jointly
Similar to previous iterations of the payments, most taxpayers will receive the funds by direct deposit. For Social Security and other beneficiaries who received previous payments via debit card, they will receive this third payment the same way. Overall, such payments are expect to cost $411 billion through 2030 according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Recommended Reading: Track My Golden State Stimulus 2
Total Stimulus To Claim On Tax Return
If you havent received both stimulus payments, you qualify for up to $1,800 in recovery rebate credit or $3,600 if filing a joint return. For the different AGI levels, here is how much you could qualify if your AGI is between $75,000 and $99.000 or $150,000 to $198,000 for joint filers).
Single Filers
| $0 |
How Much Should My Payment Be
The amount of the payment depends on your income.
- For the third round of stimulus checks: Most individuals earning $75,000 or less received a payment of $1,400. Married couples who filed taxes jointly and earned $150,000 or less received a payment of $2,800. Families were eligible to receive an additional $1,400 per dependent. For this round of stimulus checks, the eligible dependent did not need to be under the age of 17. For example, a family of 4 could have received $5,600. Use our stimulus check calculator to see how much your family could expect from the third round of stimulus checks.
- For the second round of stimulus checks: Most individuals earning $75,000 or less received a payment of $600. Married couples who filed taxes jointly and earned $150,000 or less received a payment of $1,200. Families were eligible to receive an additional $600 per child. For example, a family of 4 could have received $2,400.
- For the first round of stimulus checks: Most individuals earning $75,000 or less received a payment of $1,200. Married couples who filed taxes jointly and earned $150,000 or less received a payment of $2,400. Families were eligible to receive an additional $500 per child. For example, a family of 4 could have received up to $3,400.
Individuals and married couples that made more than the amounts above may still have been eligible for a payment. Use our stimulus check calculator to see if you were still eligible for a payment.
Don’t Miss: File For Missing Stimulus Check
What Can I Do If The Amount Of My Stimulus Payment Is Wrong
If you didnt get the additional $500 for your children or didnt get the full payment amount that you expected based on your eligibility, you can get the additional amount by filing a 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
If you receive Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance , or Supplemental Security Insurance OR are a railroad retiree or Veterans Affairs beneficiary, and didnt get the first stimulus check or the full amount you are eligible for, you will also have to file a 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
If I Owe Child Support Will Mytax Return Be Applied Tomychild Supportarrears
-
Maybe.Federal law and regulationsdetermine when federal payments are intercepted and applied to child support arrears.
-
IfTANFhas been received for your child,thetotalamount of past due supportonall ofyourchild support cases must be at least $150
-
IfTANFhasnotbeenreceivedfor your child,thetotalamount of past due supportonall ofyour child support casesmust be at least $500
Read Also: Are We Getting More Stimulus Money
I Receive Social Security Benefits Am I Still Eligible For A Check
The Treasury Department said that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive a payment. Instead, the IRS will use the information on Form SSA-1099 for Social Security beneficiaries who didn’t file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.
The IRS said automatic payments should already be arriving for recipients of Social Security, survivors or disability insurance benefits and railroad retirement benefits. Here’s everything we know right now about SSDI and stimulus checks.
Among other things, the stimulus check is intended to make it easier to put food on the table.
What If I Dont Have A Bank Account
If you dont have a bank account, a paper check will be sent to the address you listed on your tax return.
Direct deposit is the quickest and safest way to get payments. Alternatives to receiving a paper check are opening a bank account or using a prepaid debit card. Once you get a card, you may need to contact the company directly to find the account and routing numbers needed for direct deposit. To find a bank, you can view this list of accounts offered by financial institutions that meet national standards. You can also use payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal.
Do not provide the bank account information for someone else. Different names on the tax return and bank account will trigger a reject of the deposit, causing the IRS to send you a paper check which will delay the delivery of your payment.
Also Check: When Can Social Security Recipients Expect The Stimulus Check
What Else Do I Need To Do To Get My Stimulus Check
For most, the federal government will automatically send your check to you electronically or in the mail, if you qualify. If you haven’t filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, the IRS said you may need to file one to receive a payment. Scroll up to the section beginning “Even if you’re not usually required to file a tax return” for details on who is required to file and how.
How Do I Get My Stimulus Check
If youve filed a tax return for tax year 2019 or 2018 or submitted your information to the 2020 IRS Non-filer portal, you dont need to do anything. The IRS shouldve automatically sent your payment. Social Security recipients, including Social Security Disability Insurance , railroad retirees, and Supplemental Security Insurance and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries shouldve also automatically received a check.
All first stimulus checks were issued by December 31, 2020. If you are missing your stimulus check or didnt get the full amount that you are eligible for, you can claim your first stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2020 tax return or by using GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
To use GetCTC.org, youll need a phone number or email address. Youll also need to provide your full name , mailing address, date of birth, Social Security Number, bank account information , 2019 Adjusted Gross Income , and details for any qualifying children you have.
9. What if I dont have an email address?
You May Like: Irs.gov Stimulus Check Sign Up
Q How Much Was The Second Stimulus Check For
A. Your second stimulus check depended on your 2019 income. The full amount was $600 per individual, $1,200 per couple, and $600 per qualifying child under the age of 17. For expats to qualify for the full second stimulus check, you must have had $75,000 or less in income if you filed as single, $112,500 or less if you filed as head of household, or $150,000 or less if you filed jointly with your spouse or as a qualifying widow. Youd also then qualify for a $600 payment per qualifying child.
For those above this income level, your stimulus check amount would lower $5 for each $100 your AGI exceeded the above thresholds.
Q. Did I have to pay back the amount I get?
A. No.
Q. Will this affect my 2020 tax return?
A. It could only help your 2020 return. If you are eligible for more stimulus than you were awarded, you may be able to claim it as a credit on your return that either decreases your tax liability or increases your refund. If youre eligible for less or received the full amount, you dont have to pay it back and it wont affect your return.
Q. Will I owe tax on this second stimulus check in 2021 or have to pay it back?
A. No, this is considered a tax credit, not income, so you will not need to pay taxes on it in 2021 or pay it back.
Q. Im retired overseas and dont file a tax return did I qualify for the second stimulus check?
Q. What if I didnt have an SSN but filed a U.S. return. Did I get to take advantage of the second stimulus check?
What If I Get Government Benefits Will These Payments Count Against Eligibility Or Unemployment Insurance
Economic Impact Payments dont count against means-tested programs like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid. The payments are not counted as income during the month they are received and the following month and they are not counted as a resource for 12 months.
You will receive the check regardless of your employment status. The check will not impact your eligibility for unemployment payments.
Don’t Miss: H& r Block Stimulus Check
Could I Still Receive A First Or Second Payment Even If I’m Not Usually Required To File A Tax Return
Many who normally aren’t required to file a tax return — including senior citizens and retirees, Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients and railroad retirees — will not need to file a simple tax return to receive the payment, the IRS said.
The IRS said recipients of Supplemental Security Income will automatically receive the full $1,200 economic impact payment, with no action needed on their part.
Others, including those who haven’t filed a 2018 or 2019 return because they’re under the normal income limits for filing a tax return, can use the Non-Filers portal to get their payment. To get started, go to the IRS’ Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here page and click the Enter your information button. You’ll be prompted to enter personal information and, if you want to receive your stimulus check by direct deposit, banking information.
Again, the IRS said anyone who registers with the Non-Filers tool by Nov. 21 will receive the payment by the end of 2020.
Who Should Apply For A Recovery Rebate Credit
The IRS has prepared a special worksheet for Americans who think they might be eligible for a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 tax return. Youll have to fill that out when claiming your credit. But there are a few groups of people who might want to pay close attention in particular.
The 2020 tax return is the great corrector for all changes, issues or lost money that you didnt receive with your stimulus check, says Mark Steber, senior vice president and chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt. You may be due $1,200, $1,800 or $2,400. The skys the limit if youve got three children and are married and havent gotten your payment.
Don’t Miss: What Month Was The Third Stimulus Check
Ways To Find The Amount Of Your First And Your Second Stimulus Checks
Hint: If you lost the letter on your payment the IRS sent you, you have options. We’ll tell you what you need to know.
Shelby Brown
Staff Writer
Shelby Brown is a writer for CNET’s services and software team. She covers tips and tricks for apps and devices, as well as Apple Arcade news.
The first and second stimulus payments still haven’t arrived for some folks. If this is the case for you, you can claim a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 tax return — oh, and don’t worry, the IRS extended the filing deadline. Taxes are now due on May 17, so you — and the IRS — have a bit more time.
If you want to check the amount of your first and second payments — for a jog to your memory, your records or for taxes — you can no longer view it in the Get My Payment tool. But we can help. Here are two ways to find out the amounts of your first two stimulus checks.
How Many Stimulus Checks Did Americans Get
In total, Americans received three stimulus checks since 2020.
The first round of checks was authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, that President Donald Trump signed on March 27, 2020.
The payments for the first checks were $1,200 per person, or $2,400 for those filing jointly, plus $500 per qualifying child.
In December 2020, the second round of stimulus checks was sent out as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
The payments for the second checks were $600 per person, or $1,200 for married individuals, plus $600 for each qualifying child.
One year following the first checks, the third round of stimulus checks was sent out earlier in March under the American Rescue Plan.
The payments for the third checks was $1,400 per person, or $2,800 for married couples, plus an additional $1,400 per eligible child.
Read Also: Never Received 3rd Stimulus Check
How Much Was The First Stimulus Check And When Was It Sent Out
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and the first stimulus check, which maxed out at $1,200 per person , would have arrived as early as mid-April 2020, either as a paper check in your mailbox or via direct deposit into your bank account.
If you don’t have an IRS Notice 1444 and you know you received money from the first stimulus check via direct deposit, start your search in your April bank statements. If you still can’t find a record of receipt, use our first stimulus check calculator below to figure out how much you should have received. You can then find what you need to claim your money by logging into your tax account on the IRS website.
How To Use The $1200 Stimulus Calculator
The CARES Act allowed Americans to claim child dependents for $500 each, as long as they’re 16 years old or younger . Here are exceptions to the current rules regarding when someone who’s 17 to 24 years old can claim a stimulus check. If you don’t typically file taxes, or have different circumstances, this provides more information.
You May Like: Irs Stimulus Check Tax Return
Important: Make Sure You Have Your Agi
CNET’s stimulus check calculator tool is based on rules from the CARES Act that was passed in March, 2020. It’s intended to give you an estimate of what you should have received in your first stimulus check. To use the tool, you’ll need your adjusted gross income, or AGI, from your 2019 or 2018 tax information. You can find that figure on line 8b of the 2019 1040 tax form and line 7 on the 2018 1040 tax form.
