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?
Can My Recovery Rebate Credit Be Garnished
The first and second rounds of stimulus checks authorized in March 2020 and December 2020 were protected from federal and state debt offsets, and even private debt collectors in some cases.
Unfortunately, the same protections don’t apply when these payments are claimed as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 return. Remember, you can only claim the credit if you’re missing a stimulus check you qualify for, or you received too little based on your 2020 income and tax situation.
Your stimulus tax credit can be used to offset state or federal debts, like past-due child support . Your credit cannot be used to offset federal taxes you owe for prior years, according to guidance .
What Do I Do With The Stimulus Check Letter
If you are using a professional tax preparer, give them Letter 6475 along with all of your other applicable tax documents. If you’re preparing your own return, use the amount shown in Letter 6475 in the Recovery Rebate Worksheet to determine if any credit applies. Then enter that credit on Line 30 of IRS Form 40.
The Recovery Rebate Worksheet is included in the instructions for IRS Form 1040 and calculated automatically by tax preparation software.
“Having the wrong amount on your return could trigger a manual review,” according to the H& R Block website, which could delay a refund for weeks.
Recommended Reading: Get My Stimulus Payment 1400
I Had A Problem With The First Or Second Payment
Some individuals had too much income in 2019 to qualify for the first or second stimulus payment , but their income decreased enough in 2020 for them to qualify. If you fall into this category, you can file a tax return for your 2020 taxes and you’ll receive a recovery rebate credit as part of your refund .
In other cases, families received stimulus payments by direct deposit but the IRS neglected to add money for one or more of their children. Sometimes there didn’t seem to be a reason for this . For other families, it seems the IRS did not update the number of children that taxpayers have, even for families who claimed new children on their 2019 tax returns. You’ll be able to claim the rest of the stimulus payment when you file your next tax return.
Why You May Not Have Gotten All Your Stimmy Money

The third-round stimulus payments, authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and signed into law on March 11, 2021, were sent from March through December last year. Round 3 of the so-called stimmies provided a maximum credit of $1,400 per person, including all qualifying dependents claimed on a tax return.
A married couple with two qualifying dependents, for example, are eligible to receive a maximum credit of $5,600, depending on income limits. And if you brought a baby into the world last year, youll be able to file for up to $1,400 that youre owed for your new family member if you claim the child as a dependent.
The size of the credit, however, gets reduced for single filers with adjusted gross income of more than $75,000 and for married couples filing jointly with earnings of more than $150,000. For heads of household, the credit is reduced between $120,000 and $112,500.
The credit disappears entirely for individuals with AGI above $80,000 and for married couples filing jointly who earn more than $160,000. Heads of household with incomes of more than $120,000 also dont get the stimulus check. Most eligible Americans have already received the payments, according to the IRS.
Special Reminder For Those Who Don’t Normally File A Tax Return
People who don’t normally file a tax return and don’t receive federal benefits may qualify for stimulus payments. This includes those without a permanent address, an income or bank account.
If you’re eligible and didn’t get a first, second or third Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible for a Recovery Rebate Credit, but you’ll need to file a tax return.
Myth: There’s No Way To Fix Stimulus Check Mistakes Because This Is A One
The facts: If the IRS sends your check based on your 2019 return, and your 2020 return ends up qualifying you for more money, you’re in luck. The law specifically outlines an “additional payment determination date” that’ll fall either 90 days after Tax Day or Sept. 1, whichever comes first. If you file your 2020 taxes before that date and end up eligible for extra relief funds, the IRS will send them to you.
Even that’s not your last chance. If you or the IRS somehow screw up the math, or if your family size changes this year, you’ll have an opportunity to claim your stimulus money when you file your 2021 taxes next spring.
Myth: People Who Make Over $75000 Don’t Get A Stimulus Check
The facts: Single filers who earn $75,000 or less and married couples who earn $150,000 or less are eligible for the full amount. Once your AGI exceeds that level, the $1,400 payment begins phasing out but it doesn’t drop to zero all at once.
The amount you’ll get decreases by 5% for every $100 you earn over the threshold. That means single filers who make $80,000 or more and couples who make $160,000 or more won’t receive a stimulus check.
Who Is Eligible For The Third Stimulus Check
While eligibility is similar to the first and second stimulus checks, there are differences. There are four primary requirements:
1. Income: The income requirements to receive the full payment are the same as the first and second stimulus checks. There is no minimum income needed to qualify for the payment. Households with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals will receive the full payment. The third stimulus payment starts to phaseout for people with higher earnings. The third stimulus checks maximum income limit is lower than the first and second stimulus check. Single filers who earned more than $80,000 in 2020 are ineligible for the third stimulus check.
View the chart below to compare income requirements for the first, second, and third stimulus checks.
Income to Receive Full Stimulus Payment | First Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit | Second Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit | Third Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit |
Single Filer | |||
$120,000 |
2. Social Security Number: This requirement is different from the first and second stimulus check.
Any family member that has a Social Security number or dependent can qualify for the third stimulus check. For example, in a household where both parents have ITINs, and their children have SSNs, the children qualify for stimulus checks, even though the parents dont.
See the chart below for further explanation of how this works.
How Much Does The Third Stimulus Check Pay
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan includes a third round of $1,400 stimulus payments, topping off the $600 checks that were , and adding up to $2,000.
Congress passed the coronavirus relief plan with targeted income limits for maximum stimulus payments to individual taxpayers earning under $75,000 and joint filers making up to $150,000. But whereas the first and second rounds of stimulus payments phased out checks on a sliding scale of $5 for every $100 over the income limit, the new plan cuts off high earners at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for couples.
Eligibility for the third stimulus checks is based on your tax filing status. For more information on who qualifies for a third stimulus check, our tables below will help you calculate different payment options.
When Will The Payments Be Disbursed
Biden said some of the payments could be disbursed later in March. The IRS began sending out the previous round of stimulus payments within a few days of the last relief bill’s passage in December.
Like the other two payments, taxpayers can track the status of their payments with IRS Get My Payment tool. Just note that that tool has been glitchy in the past, and can be overwhelmed when too many people try to use it at once.
How Much Will The Third Stimulus Be Worth
Those who qualify for the stimulus will receive up to $1,400 per person in their household including $1,400 for each dependent.
As with the previous stimulus checks, the amount youll receive depends on your household AGI.
- Single taxpayers who earn less than $75,000 and married couples earning less than $150,000 are eligible for the full stimulus.
- Families with dependents can receive an additional $1,400 for each dependent in the household. There is no age limit for dependents this time, so college students and adult dependents are also eligible for the $1,400.
- Families with mixed citizenship also qualify.
Incarcerated Individuals And Mixed Status Families Eligibility For Third Stimulus Checks

For the third stimulus check, anyone with a Social Security number can receive the stimulus check for themselves and their family members. This is different from the last bill and ensures that mixed families will receive the third stimulus checks too.
Its important to note that if you are incarcerated, you can still receive your check. And if you lost work or wages in 2020, you could get a higher amount than you did with the first or second stimulus checks.
And if you normally arent required to file taxes, either because of your income level or for other reasons, you are probably eligible for a stimulus payment.
Reminder: File your taxes by April 15!
Tip: If you havent yet filed your taxes, read about how to file your taxes for free and whether you should take a Refund Anticipation Loan.
The intention behind this stimulus check, as with the last two, is to support Americans during this difficult time. This may also be a good time to consider establishing savings habits to create a financial buffer for you and your family.
At SaverLife, our mission is to make saving money easier and more rewarding. We receive donations to give you cash rewards and prizes for building up your rainy day fund.
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When Will The Third Stimulus Check Be Issued
The government started sending the third stimulus checks on March 12, 2021. The IRS continues to send third stimulus checks as people submit their information to the IRS either by filing a 2020 tax return or using GetCTC.org. The deadline to use GetCTC.org is November 15, 2021.
If you have your banking information on file, the IRS sent your payment via direct deposit. Otherwise, you will receive your payment as a check or debit card via mail. Mailed checks and debit cards may take longer to deliver.
If you dont fall into any of these categories, youll have to wait to receive your third stimulus check. You will need to file a 2020 federal tax return to get the third stimulus check or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
You can also get the first and second stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return or GetCTC.org if you are eligible.
Will The Irs Tax My Third Stimulus Check
The IRS does not consider stimulus checks to be taxable income. This means that you do not have to report the money on your federal income tax return, or pay income taxes on your stimulus check.
You should also note, that if you owe taxes, you could still qualify to get a stimulus payment because the IRS does not use it to offset federal or state tax debts like it normally does with tax refunds.
For private debts, however, the American Bankers Association has pointed out a loophole in the new stimulus plan where banks and other financial services providers will be legally required to comply with court ordered garnishments. The association says that without legislation to shield your third stimulus payment, creditors or collectors can take it to pay off existing debt.
As a reference, the 2020 COVID-Related Tax Relief Act did shield stimulus payments from private debt collection: The Advance payments are generally not subject to administrative offset for past due federal or state debts. In addition, the payments are protected from bank garnishment or levy by private creditors or debt collectors.
But while your stimulus money could be taken to pay for private debt, the new offsetting rules prevent the IRS from deducting overdue child support from eligible recipients. You should keep in mind, however, that the IRS intercepted or reduced payment from the first round of stimulus checks for past-due child support.
Third Stimulus Check Error
I filed my federal income taxes and submitted them to the IRS already and just found out I made a huge mistake. I never received the third stimulus check, or so I thought. I reported on my taxes I didnt receive it and 3 weeks later I was at my mothers house and she had a stack of mail for me from the last 2 years. In it was a letter stating I did get the payment and it was deposited into a bank account I havent used in over a year. I checked the account balance and sure enough there was a $1400 stimulus payment. Yes it was a great feeling to find an extra $1400 but after the euphoria wore off I got the wind knocked out of me because I remembered my taxes. Its been 20 days since I submitted them and they are still being processed. Im worried about what might happen now. Im a seasonal worker and I desperately need my refund to get by. So what can I expect in terms of delays or even legal issues from all of this?
Did I Get A Third Stimulus Payment
Most received third stimulus payments in March 2021. The IRS also issued what were called “plus up” payments or extra money in addition to the initial direct deposit or stimulus check issued last year for millions but, not all, of taxpayers who qualified for the stimulus money.
The third stimulus payment was viewed as money you received in advance of the Recovery Rebate Credit that you might be eligible to claim on a 2021 federal income tax return.
My Stimulus Payment Went To The Wrong Bank Account
If the Get My Payment tool tells you your check will be direct-deposited, it will also provide the last four digits of the number of the bank account into which your stimulus payment will be deposited. For the initial checks, some individuals saw that their deposit was going to an old bank account, or they even saw bank account numbers that they didn’t recognize. Here’s what to do:
- If the tool says that your payment was deposited into your bank account but you haven’t seen it yet, your bank may still be processing it.
- You won’t necessarily get the third check direct deposited, even if the first or second one was direct deposited.
- If your third stimulus payment is sent to a closed bank account, the bank is required to transfer the money back to the IRS. The IRS will not redeposit it to you or mail you a paper check. Instead, you will have to file your 2021 tax return to claim your “Recovery Rebate Credit.” See below for instructions on claiming the rebate on your tax return.
- If H& R Block submitted your last tax return and you signed up for a “refund transfer,” the IRS might deposit your stimulus payment with H& R Block . H& R Block should transfer the money to your bank account within 24 hours.
- Those who submitted their last tax return with Turbo Tax should receive their payments in the same bank accounts through which they received their tax refunds.
How Will Dependents Get Their Stimulus Check
One major difference between this round of checks and the last two is that dependents of any age are eligible to get money.
But to be clear: Eligibility for a stimulus check lies with the person who claims the dependent on their tax return. In most cases that’s a parent or caregiver. They’re the person who qualifies and gets paid. An additional $1,400 is added to that person’s check for each dependent with a Social Security number who is claimed on their tax return.
According to the IRS, adults who rely on another person for more than half of their expenses can be claimed as a dependent. That includes students up to age 19, or age 24 for full-time college students. Dependent adults can also include disabled people and retirees.