Stimulus Checks: Direct Payments To Individuals During The Covid
GAO-22-106044
The federal government made direct payments to individuals totaling $931 billion to help with COVID-19. However, it was challenging for the IRS and Treasury to get payments to some people.
We found that nonfilers , first-time filers, mixed immigrant status families, and those experiencing homelessness were among those likely to have trouble receiving these payments in a timely manner.
We recommended that Treasury and the IRS tailor their outreach efforts to educate such people about their eligibility for these payments.
In 2020 and 2021, IRS and Treasury issued $931 billion in direct payments to individuals to ease financial stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some eligible Americans never received payments. We made recommendations to strengthen Treasury and IRSs outreach and communications efforts for the billions of dollars in similar tax credits IRS administers, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.
When Should I Get My Payment
The IRS was given hard and fast deadlines to send the two rounds of Economic Impact Payments out to American families. The first round of payments had to be sent out by December 31, 2020. The second round had to be sent out by January 15, 2021.
What this means: If you have not received the first or second round of payments yet, then you will not be getting them in advance. The good news is that you can still do something to get these payments. Read below.
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.
Don’t Miss: Stimulus Check 2022 Who Qualifies
I Got My Stimulus Check On A Debit Card And Lost It Or Threw It Out How Can I Get A New One
You can request a replacement by calling 800-240-8100. Select option 2 from the main menu. Your card will arrive in a plain envelope which displays the U.S. Treasury seal and Economic Impact Payment Card in the return address. It will be issued by Meta Bank, N.A. The envelope will include instructions to activate the card, information on fees, and a note from the U.S. Treasury.
How Can I File My Taxes
If you know you need to file a 2020 tax return, you should do so as soon as possible to get your Economic Impact Payment and any tax refund that you are eligible for.
Online: If youre comfortable using computers and confident preparing your own taxes, consider using a free online tax software. MyFreeTaxes is an online tool that helps you file your taxes for free. You can use these online programs until November 20, 2021.
Also Check: Contact Irs About Stimulus Payment
Are Stimulus Checks Effective
Since the ultimate goal of any stimulus package is to restore economic stability, inspire consumer confidence, and increase spending, stimulus checks have to be evaluated on those critera and compared to other forms of stimulus.
As an argument for direct payments over tax credits, a 2011 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the direct payments of 2001 and 2008 were more effective at sparking spending than the withholding reductions. of 2009.
Of course, a complete analysis of the effectiveness of stimulus checks has to include their long-term impact on the federal deficit. A 2012 study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University found that, from 1950 to 2011, per-capita government spending had increased significantly. Many economists question whether this spending is effective and, ultimately, whether economic stimulus payments result in returns that outweigh the costs.
What Was The Second Stimulus Check Amount
What about the second stimulus check amount and dates? Congress approved another economic relief bill at the end of last year, and the second round of stimulus check payments began sending as early as Dec. 29, 2020. This payment capped out at $600 per person, and another $600 per qualifying child dependent.
Also Check: When Did The Stimulus Checks Go Out In 2021
Havent Received Your Third Stimulus Payment Yet
The IRS will continue to send checks via the Treasury. The majority who have received a first or second payment dont need to do anything more to get the third payment, which often will be sent out automatically. Following the model of the second round of checks, payments should be issued automatically to people who:
- Filed 2019 or 2020 federal tax returns. The IRS will use the taxpayers latest processed return.
- Registered for the first round of stimulus payments through the non-filer portal on IRS.gov by Nov. 21, 2020.
- Receive Social Security , Supplemental Security Income , or Railroad Retirement Board or Veterans Affairs benefits.
Those receiving Social Security and other federal benefits will generally receive this third payment the same way as their regular benefits.
The IRS Get My Payment Tool allows you to provide information to the agency for a stimulus check and to track payment status.
If you got your payment based on your 2019 return and find that youre entitled to more based on your 2020 return, the IRS will compute the additional amount owed to you.
Congress Is Considering A Third Round Of Payments
Congress is negotiating a fresh stimulus package that may include a third round of stimulus checks. Democrats in the House have proposed sending direct payments worth up to $1,400 per person. A family of four could receive up to $5,600.
Individuals earning less than $75,000 a year and married couples earning less than $150,000 would be sent the full amount.
But not everyone who received a previous stimulus check would be eligible for this round. The payments would phase out faster and completely cut off individuals earning more than $100,000 and families earning more than $200,000 regardless of how many children they have.
The payment will be calculated based on either 2019 or 2020 income. Unlike the previous two rounds, adult dependents would be eligible for the payments.
Lawmakers hope to get legislation passed by mid March. The full House may vote on the bill as soon as next week, but it could face hurdles in the Senate.
You May Like: Will There Be Another Stimulus Check In 2020 To
Oregon: Direct Payments Of $600
In March 2022, the Oregon legislature voted to approve one-time $600 payments to some residents. Taxpayers who were eligible to receive the earned income tax credit on their 2020 state tax return, and who lived in Oregon for the last six months of 2020, were eligible to receive one payment per household.
The state used federal pandemic aid to provide these direct payments to low-income residents, and more than 236,000 households received a payment. All payments were distributed by direct deposit or mailed check between June 23 and July 1, 2022.
The Oregon Department of Revenue website contains FAQs for residents with concerns about receiving their payment.
Top Credit Card Wipes Out Interest Into 2023
If you have credit card debt, transferring it to this top balance transfer card can allow you to pay intro 0% interest into 2023! Plus, there’s no annual fee. Those are a few reasons our experts rate this card as a top pick to help get control of your debt. Read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.
The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
Read Also: What Month Was The Third Stimulus Check
Can A Nursing Home Or Assisted Living Facility Take The Payment From Me
No. If you qualify for a payment, its yours to keep. If a loved one qualifies and lives in a nursing home, residential care home or assisted living facility, its theirs to keep. The facility may not put their hands on it or require somebody to sign it over to them. Even if that somebody is on Medicaid.
Heres How Many Stimulus Checks Have Been Sent Out So Far
More than 1.1 million stimulus checks are on the way to Americans bank accounts.
Thats according to the Internal Revenue Service, which announced yesterday that, along with the Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, it began processing the eighth batch of payments at the end of April. The latest round, which was officially disbursed on May 5, is valued at more than $2 billion.
More from Footwear News
The agency added that more than 585,000 payments went to eligible individuals for whom it previously did not have information to issue a check but who recently filed a tax return. The batch also included 570,000 plus-up payments or additional ongoing supplemental payments for those who have received payments based on their 2019 tax returns but are now qualified for a new or larger payment based on their recently processed 2020 tax returns.
About 600,000 payments were made via direct deposit payments, with the remainder on paper. The IRS shared that it would continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly basis. Individuals who havent yet received their payment are encouraged to check its status using the Get My Payment tool.
Sign up for FN’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on , , and .
Also Check: How To Check Eligibility For Stimulus Check
How Much Were The Stimulus Checks
The first round of stimulus checks were paid to people beginning in April 2020. Those checks were up to $1,200 per eligible adult and up to $500 for each dependent child under 16.
The second round of stimulus checks were paid to people beginning in December 2020. Those checks were up to $600 per eligible adult and up to $600 for each dependent child under 17.
The third round of stimulus checks were paid to people beginning in March 2021. Those checks were up to $1,400 per eligible adult and up to $1,400 for each dependent child, regardless of age.
When Will I Get The Stimulus 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 use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
Read Also: Irs.gov Stimulus Check Sign Up
How Much Money Will I Get
- Adults whose adjusted gross income is less than $75,000/year will get $1,400 for each adult, plus $1,400 for each dependent no matter how old they are. This applies to heads of households who make less than $112,500, as well.
- The IRS will use income information from your 2020 tax return if they received that return before sending your money. Otherwise they will use information from your 2019 tax return.
- If the IRS sends your payment based on a 2019 return and then your 2020 return says you qualify for more , they will send an additional payment to make up for the difference. To get the additional payment, you must file the 2020 tax return by 90 days from the filing deadline or September 1, 2021, whichever is earlier.
What If I Am Married To Someone Who Owes Child Support Will My Tax Return Be Applied To The Child Support Arrears They May Owe
-
Yes,unless you are eligible for relief. If youdo not owe child support butyouare married tosomeonewhoowes child support,you may need to file an Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation -Form 8379
-
In some instances, the IRS offsets a portion of the payment sent to a spouse who filed an injured spouse claim if it has been offset by the non-injured spouses past-due child support. The FAQ on the IRS stimulus FAQ www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center website states: The IRS is aware that in some instances a portion of the payment sent to a spouse who filed an injured spouse claim with his or her 2019 tax return has been offset by the non-injured spouses past-due child support. The IRS is working with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support Enforcement, to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. If you filed an injured spouse claim with your return and are impacted by this issue, you do not need to take any action. The injured spouse will receive their unpaid half of the total payment when the issue is resolved.
Don’t Miss: When Was 3rd Stimulus Check Mailed
What If I Dont Have An Address
Shelters and other service providers, such as health care clinics and drop-in day centers, may allow you to use their address for tax purposes. Other agencies that offer homeless prevention services like a Community Action Agency or Salvation Army are also options. If you are not staying in a shelter or cannot find a service provider nearby, you can also use a trusted relatives or friends address. The IRS will deliver checks to P.O. boxes.
How Will I Receive My Stimulus Check
If you filed a tax return for tax year 2019 or 2018 or used the 2020 IRS Non-filer portal, the IRS used your information to determine the amount of your payment and delivered it using the direct deposit information , or mailing address you provided. Social Security recipients, railroad retirees, and SSDI, SSI, and VA beneficiaries were sent the payment using the information the Social Security Administration currently has on file.
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 use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
Don’t Miss: New York Stimulus Check 4
Stimulus Check 1 And 2
If you did not receive your first or second stimulus check, you will need to file a 2020 tax return to obtain it. The IRS is accepting returns for the 2020 tax year so you can submit your forms as soon as you are able.
When you submit your 2020 tax return, you will be able to claim unpaid funds from your first and second stimulus check through the “Recovery Rebate Credit.” You can claim this credit if you did not receive any stimulus money at all. If you received the incorrect amount, you can claim a partial credit and get any additional funds you’re owed.
It’s possible to claim your payment by filing your tax return because the stimulus checks were an advance on a tax credit. Unfortunately, since the IRS is no longer sending out these advances, the only way to claim unpaid stimulus money is to file a tax return. This means individuals who ordinarily wouldn’t submit one will have to this year to get their funds.
E-filing your 2020 return and requesting a refund via direct deposit is the fastest way to claim any unpaid stimulus funds. You can file your return electronically for free if your income is under $72,000. The IRS has instructions on how to do that on its Free File website.
What If I Owe Child Support Payments Owe Back Taxes Or Student Loan Debt
If you are overdue on child support or owe back taxes or student loan debt, you could see your stimulus check reduced or eliminated based on the amount you owe. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service will send you a notice if this happens.
Your payment will not be interrupted if you owe back taxes or have student loan debt you will receive the full amount.
If you use direct deposit and owe your bank overdraft fees, the bank may deduct these from your payment.
Recommended Reading: Social Security Stimulus Checks Update
We Will Likely Learn The Wrong Lessons From The Stimulus
The lessons we draw from the response to the COVID-19 recession are important, because theyll almost certainly shape how we respond to the next economic downturn. In the wake of the Great Recession, policymakers shot too low. Now, they appear to have shot too high. If this were the story of Goldilocks, wed be poised to get things just right next time but politics is not a fairy tale, and its very possible that well overcorrect whenever another recession hits.
In many ways, were still figuring out what the lessons are as the pandemic still isnt over. And its, of course, hard to disentangle what could have happened had the governments response not been so aggressive. One clear lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic, though, is that Americas social safety net wasnt prepared to deal with a crisis of this magnitude, which is a big part of the reason why the response had to be so massive.
Our social safety net wasnt ready to catch everyone who needed it, so it was very difficult to figure out who really needed relief and when the tap should be turned off, according to Sinclair. Rickety state unemployment insurance systems couldnt be recalibrated to replace peoples incomes, so many people ended up being paid much more after they lost their jobs. It wasnt easy to target direct payments to people in specific income brackets, so the payments went out to some families who didnt need them.
Santul Nerkar is a copy editor at FiveThirtyEight. @santulN
Filed under
