Which Tax Year Is Used To Determine Eligibility
The IRS will use the most recent tax return on file . Its issuing plus-up payments for individuals who now qualify for more money based on their 2020 tax return.
For example, if your income in 2019 was too high to receive a stimulus payment up front, but your 2020 income decreased to a level that would make you eligible to receive a full or partial payment, submit your tax return ASAP to be eligible for a plus-up payment. The IRS says it will continue to process plus-up payments on a weekly basis going forward as it receives 2020 tax returns . Tax Day has been pushed back from April 15 to May 17, 2021 so you have more time to file
Read more: Tax Season Will Look Different This Year. Heres What You Need To Know
On the other hand, if you think your adjusted gross income increased in 2020 beyond the point of eligibility for this stimulus payment but you would benefit from the financial relief, you may want to hold off on filing until after the payments are distributed You wont have to pay your stimulus check back to the government if you ended up making too much money in 2020 or 2021.
If you receive Social Security but didnt file a return in 2019 or 2020 because you earn too little to be required to file, youll also receive a stimulus check. The amount will be based on the information sent to the IRS on forms SSA-1099 and RRB-1099.
First Round Of Economic Stimulus Checks April 2020
The Cares ACT included a provision for a round of stimulus payments eligible tax-paying adults received a check of up to $1,200 while eligible dependents under 16 years of age received $500 each .
The payments were made to everyone earning under the income limits, which were set at Adjusted Gross Income of $75,000 with the stimulus check value reducing in a tapered fashion up to a maximum of $99,000 . The very first stimulus checks were paid into peoples bank accounts over the weekend of the 11 and 12 of April, either via direct deposit into individuals bank accounts, paper checks sent through the post or in some cases, through a prepaid debit card, the Economic Impact Payment Card which were sent out in late May/early June last year.
How Much Will My Stimulus Check Be
Payments for dependents up to $1,400 per person are included in this bill, unlike the previous two rounds of stimulus. Anyone with an AGI at or above $80,000 as a single filer, $120,000 as a head-of-household filer, or $160,000 as a married joint filer will not receive a payment for themselves or their dependent.
But taxpayers who fall below the income limits can claim up to $1,400 for an unlimited number of qualifying dependents.
For example, a married couple with an adjusted gross income of up to $150,000 and two kids will get a $5,600 stimulus check. A married couple with an AGI of $150,000 and four kids will get $8,400. However, the total check would be reduced for every dollar of income above $150,000, up to $160,000, when it phases out completely.
In the table below, you can see how much a stimulus check will be in various scenarios.
The highlighted numbers indicate where payments stop for that filing status.
Read Also: How To Track Stimulus Check In Mail
How To Claim A Stimulus Check On Taxes
If your 2020 tax return shows you made too much to qualify for this third stimulus check, you may not get a payment now even if you lost your job or income in 2021. However, because these IRS payments are technically an advance on a 2021 tax credit, if your adjusted gross income in 2021 ends up being under the limit or you have another tax dependent, you might be able to claim the tax credit when you file your 2021 tax return .
If you were eligible for the first two stimulus checks but never received them or didn’t receive the full amount, you have another chance to file for a stimulus check by claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on line 30 of form 1040 on your 2020 tax return . Page 58 of the instructions for form 1040 has a worksheet to help you calculate how much to claim.
Third Stimulus Check: Updated Timeline For $1400 Payments
WASHINGTON After more than two months of anxious waiting by millions of Americans, President Joe Biden has signed into law a $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan which includes $1,400 direct payment stimulus checks.
Congress gave final approval on the American Rescue Plan on Wednesday and it then headed to Biden for his signature.
Biden initially planned to sign the bill on Friday afternoon, but White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain tweeted Thursday that the bill arrived quicker than anticipated, so they decided to sign it a day earlier.
Minutes after Biden signed the bill into law, the White House provided a big update to the timeline for when the third round of stimulus checks will start going out.
Recommended Reading: When Will Stimulus Check Be Deposited
What To Do If Your Tax Situation Changed In 2020 Vs 2019
Maybe you had a child or saw your income fall in 2020, meaning youre eligible for a higher amount than the IRS right now assumes. Perhaps you changed banks or moved in the last year. If thats you, youll want to submit your 2020 tax return as soon as possible, so the IRS has the most accurate picture of your financial situation.
But its safe to assume that IRS officials are going to have their work cut out for them over the next few weeks. They might not be able to process your return by the time they begin sending out stimulus checks, meaning youll receive less than what you should.
While it wont be as speedy, youll most likely be able to claim any missing stimulus payments when you file your 2021 taxes in 2022 by claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit. And even better, the text of the American Rescue Plan opens up the possibility of additional top-up payments, meaning, in the best of circumstances, you wont have to wait a whole year to claim your check.
Similar to the first and second stimulus check rounds, youll also most likely be able to input your bank account information through the IRSs GetMyPayment tool. Stay tuned for more information from the IRS in the coming weeks on how and when to fill that information out.
You Have Just 4 Days To Apply For Latest Stimulus Checks See How You Can Get Cash
Eligible Americans will be able to request a Recovery Rebate Credit at tax time to get their money they are owed from the IRS.
To be eligible for the full amount on the third round of checks, individuals need to have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less and married couples filing jointly need to have an AGI of $150,000 or less.
Read our stimulus checks live blog for the latest updates on Covid-19 relief…
Payments begin to phase out for people who make more than those income limits.
They completely phase out for individuals who make more than $80,000 and couples who make more than $160,000.
The number of families still owed a $1,400 stimulus check is not yet known but it is estimated to be in the millions.
The figure wont be known until the total number of births for 2021 is revealed.
You May Like: When Will I Receive My Second Stimulus Check
Who Is Eligible For The Third Economic Impact Payment And What Incomes Qualify
Generally, if you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, you are eligible for the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payment if you are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a valid Social Security number and your adjusted gross income on their tax return does not exceed:
- $150,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
- $112,500 if filing as head of household or
- $75,000 for eligible individuals using any other filing statuses, such as single filers and married people filing separate returns.
Payments will be phased out or reduced — above those AGI amounts. This means taxpayers will not receive a third payment if their AGI exceeds:
- $160,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower
- $120,000 if filing as head of household or
- $80,000 for eligible individuals using other filing statuses, such as single filers and married people filing separate returns.
For example, a single person with no dependents and an AGI of $77,500 will normally get a $700 payment . A married couple with two dependents and an AGI of $155,000 will generally get a payment of $2,800 . Filers with incomes of at least $80,000 , $120,000 and $160,000 will get no payment based on the law.
Highlights Of The Third Round Of Economic Impact Payments Irs Will Automatically Calculate Amounts
In general, most people will get $1,400 for themselves and $1,400 for each of their qualifying dependents claimed on their tax return. As with the first two Economic Impact Payments in 2020, most Americans will receive their money without having to take any action. Some Americans may see the direct deposit payments as pending or as provisional payments in their accounts before the official payment date of March 17.
Because these payments are automatic for most eligible people, contacting either financial institutions or the IRS on payment timing will not speed up their arrival. Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will generally receive this third payment the same way as their regular benefits. A payment date for this group will be announced shortly.
The third round of Economic Impact Payments will be based on the taxpayer’s latest processed tax return from either 2020 or 2019. This includes anyone who successfully registered online at IRS.gov using the agency’s Non-Filers tool last year, or alternatively, submitted a special simplified tax return to the IRS. If the IRS has received and processed a taxpayer’s 2020 return, the agency will instead make the calculation based on that return.
For those who received EIP1 or EIP2 but don’t receive a payment via direct deposit, they will generally receive a check or, in some instances, a prepaid debit card . A payment will not be added to an existing EIP card mailed for the first or second round of stimulus payments.
Recommended Reading: Stimulus Check Direct Deposit 2021
How Do I Get My Third Stimulus Check
You dont need to do anything if:
- You have filed a tax return for tax year 2019 or 2020.
- You are a Social Security recipient, including Social Security Disability Insurance , railroad retiree. Or you are a Supplemental Security Insurance and Veterans Affairs beneficiary.
- You successfully signed up for the first stimulus check online using the IRS Non-Filers tool or submitted a simplified tax return that has been processed by the IRS.
The IRS will automatically send your payment. You can check on the status of your third stimulus check by visiting the IRS Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish.
If you are missing your third stimulus check, file your 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement. By submitting your information to the IRS, you will be signed up and automatically sent the third stimulus check.
How Much Money Will I Get From The Third Stimulus Check
Most households that received an earlier stimulus check will get one again, but the amounts are different this time. The baseline:
- $1,400 to each adult
- $1,400 to each dependent meaning, anyone claimed on a tax return, including older adults, disabled adults, and child dependents of any age
- For example, a family of four could potentially receive $5,600
The dependent eligibility is different from the second stimulus check, but there are a lot of caveats to be aware of. Its important to read through the information on the IRS website or this CNN article. A few important highlights:
- Dependents dont receive their own stimulus checks funds are sent to the household
- If you share custody of a dependent, both you and the other parent could get stimulus checks, depending on how you file your taxes
- You are still eligible to receive a stimulus check if you owe child support
- If you have more or fewer dependents since the last time you filed taxes for instance, a new child was born into your family you should update your number of dependents by filing your 2020 tax return
Payments will be sent out in a few weeks via direct deposit, as physical checks, or via Economic Impact Payment debit cards.
Tip: Signing up for direct deposit with the IRS could help you get your refund even faster than waiting for a check or Economic Impact Payment debit card to arrive in the mail.
You May Like: Do You Need To File Taxes To Get Stimulus Check
Proposals For A Second Bill Summer 2020
By July and through the summer, proposals were already underway for a second round of stimulus payments. The CARES 2 package was reviewed by the administration and an agreement in principle was reached on the basic points outlined in the package but it was never passed. Nor was the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion economic stimulus bill which was passed by the House by a vote of 208199 on 15 May 15 2020 but never reached a Senate vote.
Amount Based On 2019 Or 2020 Tax Return
For third-round stimulus payments, eligibility and amounts are based on either your 2019 or 2020 return. If your 2020 tax return isn’t filed and processed by the IRS by the time the tax agency starts processing your third stimulus payment, then the IRS will use information from your 2019 tax return. If your 2020 return is already filed and processed when the IRS is ready to send your payment, then your stimulus check eligibility and amount will be based on the information on your 2020 return. If your 2020 return is filed and/or processed after the IRS sends you a third stimulus check, but before August 16, 2021 , the IRS will send you a supplemental payment 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. As a result, your third stimulus check may be higher or lower depending on when you file your 2020 tax return.
Read Also: I Didn’t Get My 3rd Stimulus Check
Ok So Who Gets The Money
Individuals who make less than $75,000 or heads of households who make less than $112,500. For married couples who file their taxes jointly, both would qualify for the full amount if they make up to $150,000 jointly.
Individuals who make $75,000 to $80,000 would still get checks, but they would be less than $1,400. The same goes for heads of household making $112,500 to $120,000 and couples making $150,000 to $160,000.
Those who make more wouldn’t get payments.
In addition to the amounts for adults, parents would get up to $1,400 more for every child on their tax returns. That includes adult children, like college students, and those with permanent disabilities, unlike last year’s stimulus payments.
So if you’re a family of four with a household income under $150,000, you should get $5,600.
Third Payments Differed From Previous Economic Impact Payments
The third payments differed from the earlier payments in several respects:
- Income phaseout amounts changed. Payments were reduced for individuals with adjusted gross income of more than $75,000 . The reduced payments end at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married filing jointly. People above these levels did not receive any payment.
- Payment amounts are different. Most families received $1,400 per person, including all dependents claimed on their tax return. Typically, this means a single person with no dependents received $1,400, while married filers with two dependents received $5,600.
- Qualifying dependents expanded. Unlike the first two payments, the third payment was not restricted to children under 17. Eligible individuals received a payment based on all of their qualifying dependents claimed on their return, including older relatives like college students, adults with disabilities, parents and grandparents.
Also Check: What’s Included In The New Stimulus Package
How Will I Get The Third Stimulus Check
Most will arrive via direct deposit others will be mailed as a paper check or a prepaid debit card.
Exactly how much money you get and how it’s delivered depends on the information provided on your 2020 tax return. If it hasn’t been filed or processed yet, the IRS will look at your 2019 return.
In most cases, your payment will be delivered to the bank account or mailing address that’s listed on your tax return. If you used the nonfilers tool because you don’t file taxes, the IRS will use that same information to deliver your third payment, either to your bank account or address.
Social Security retirement and disability beneficiaries, railroad retirees, and people who received veterans’ benefits in 2020 don’t need to do anything to get the third stimulus check. They will get their payment the same way they normally receive benefits.
The IRS’s “Get My Payment” tool is the only place to check how and when your payment is going to be sent .
Paper Checks And Debit Cards
If you received the first two stimulus payments but didn’t receive them as direct deposit, you may get a paper check or a new debit card in the mail. The IRS will not reload debit cards you may have received for prior stimulus check payments.
Here’s what the debit card and mailing envelope look like, so you don’t accidentally throw out your money with the junk mail.
-
People who died before January 1, 2021.
Recommended Reading: How To Check If You Get The Stimulus Check