Qualifications For The 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.

Guide To Filing Your Taxes In 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting financial impact, Congress expanded tax benefits which may increase the amount of money you receive through your tax refund. While you may have received some advanced payments during 2021, including the Child Tax Credit, you may be eligible to access other benefits when you file a tax return in 2022.

Whether youve previously filed taxes, or this is your first time, your tax refund can provide a great opportunity to get ahead financially, either by paying down debt or saving for the future.

Heres our guide to filing your taxes in 2022.

Those Who Didnt File A Tax Return

If you neglected to file either a 2018 or 2019 tax return, you wont receive a stimulus payment. You can still receive one if you file your tax return by Tax Day, which is now July 15, 2020.

Some non-filers may be eligible for payments even if they dont file now. This includes people who did not make enough to file a return. It also includes those receiving veterans retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. If you fall into this category, you can give the IRS your information via its Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on its website.

Read Also: Whats In The 1.9 Trillion Stimulus Bill

Nonfilers: You May Need To File Your 2020 Tax Return This Year To Get The Right Stimulus Check Amount

With the second payment, the IRS used your 2019 tax returns to determine eligibility. Nonfilers, who weren’t required to file a federal income tax return in 2018 or 2019, may still be eligible to receive the first stimulus check under the CARES Act. And this group will qualify again. Here are reasons you might not have been required to file:

• You’re over 24, you’re not claimed as a dependent and your income is less than $12,200.
• You’re married filing jointly and together your income is less than $24,400.
• You have no income.
• You receive federal benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance. See below for more on SSDI.

Eligibility For The Recovery Rebate Credit

Those who qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit can claim the child on their 2021 tax return, which is due in 2022.

Those who qualify for an additional payment through the American Rescue Plan will have the credit applied to their 2021 refund.

Dependents must be under the age of 19 at the conclusion of the year, unless they are students, or any age but permanently incapacitated. Furthermore, the dependent must be a child, brother, sister, foster kid, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother or half-sister, or descendant of any of them.

However, there are some income limitations that must be satisfied in order to get the Recovery Rebate Credit payment, as taxpayers can receive the entire amount if their adjusted gross income is less than $75,000, or $150,000 if they are married and filing jointly.

ALSO READ:-

Also Check: Congress Middle Class Mortgage Stimulus

How A Life Change Affects Your Stimulus Check/payment Eligibility

With the third stimulus check dispersal under way, millions have already received their third stimulus payments. But the more Americans get their checks, the more questions arise specifically about how life changes affect your stimulus payment.

The first, second and now third economic impact payment or stimulus payments can be paid in advance. Your eligibility and amount is based off your most recently filed tax return but what if that information is incorrect?

For example, what if you havent filed taxes yet but got married in July 2020? Or had a baby? What if youre dealing with the aftermath of a divorce or the recent death of a loved one? What if you already received your first and second stimulus checks, but it was for the wrong amount? What if you graduated from college in 2020 and arent a dependent anymore?

For the first and second stimulus payments, if your situation changed, youll claim the rest youre owed through the Recovery Rebate credit on your 2020 return. For the third , youll wait to claim the credit on your 2021 tax return.

The IRS understood the need to get stimulus payments out quickly. As a result, some taxpayers have found differences in the amount they should have received due to tax filing changes and income changes.

Below, well clear things up about who is eligible for a stimulus checks, payment, and the credit and how life changes affect your eligibility.

People Without A Social Security Number

Generally, you must have a Social Security number to get a stimulus check. To get the extra $1,400 for a dependent, the dependent must also have a Social Security number. If they don’t, then you probably won’t get the addition amount.

There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule. First, an adopted child can have an adoption taxpayer identification number instead of a Social Security number. Second, for married members of the U.S. armed forces, only one spouse needs to have a Social Security number. And, third, if your spouse doesn’t have a Social Security number, you can still receive a third stimulus check, including any extra money for dependents, if you have a Social Security number.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Know If You Qualify For Stimulus Check

Advance Child Tax Credit

Even if you dont pay any taxes, you may qualify for a refund of the CTC.

The CTC was expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for tax year 2021 only. If you are eligible, you should have begun receiving advance Child Tax Credit payments on July 15. The payments will continue monthly through December 2021. Under ARPA, families are eligible to receive:

• Up to $3,000 per qualifying child between ages 6 and 17
• Up to $3,600 per qualifying child under age 6

The Internal Revenue Service began sending out letters in early June to more than 36 million families who may be eligible for the monthly payments. Most families do not need to do anything to get their payments, as long as theyve filed their 2020 or 2019 tax return. Learn more about the letter and how it can help you determine your eligibility.

Income Limits For The Third Stimulus Check

This was a hot topic of debate in Congress, but the income thresholds were ultimately left unchanged for the third stimulus.

If you’re a single taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, you’ll get the full amount of $1,400. Ditto if you’re a head of household with an AGI of $112,500 or less. If you’re married filing jointly with an AGI of $150,000 or less, you’ll get $2,800.

Over those amounts, the checks decrease, eventually hitting zero.

There are different caps this time around the third stimulus check phases out faster than previous ones did. People who earn over $80,000, married couples who earn over $160,000 and heads of households who earn over $120,000 will not receive any money, according to The New York Times.

The IRS will use income tax data to calculate how big your stimulus check will be. If you’ve filed your 2020 return already, it’ll take your AGI from that. Otherwise, it’ll default to the information on your 2019 return.

Recommended Reading: Get My Stimulus Payment Tracker

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?

What If I Am Newly Eligible For A Stimulus Payment Based On My 2020 Income But I Havent Filed My 2020 Return

You could try to file it quickly, in hopes of receiving your payment faster. But theres no guarantee your return will be processed quickly enough, and haste can lead to errors.

And you dont have to rush: The law includes a provision for the Treasury Department to make supplemental payments by September. If you dont get one then, you can claim the $1,400 when you file your 2021 taxes.

Recommended Reading: Why I Have Not Received My Stimulus Check

What If Ive Had Changes Since Filing My 2019 Tax Return

The IRS used information on your 2019 tax return to determine your payment amount if you didnt file a 2020 tax return or if it wasnt processed in time.

If you had a child, you will be able to get the additional $500 for them when you file your 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.

If you moved and the first stimulus check was not delivered to you, you may need to request a payment trace so the IRS can determine if your payment was cashed . If your payment wasnt cashed, 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.

If you got divorced and no longer live at the address on your tax return or included direct deposit information for a joint account and you are no longer married, this may be a complex matter that should be discussed with a tax professional.

Unfortunately, if the first stimulus check was issued, the IRS treats the payment as being received by both spouses, even if both people didnt get the money. If the payment went only to your ex-spouse, the IRS views this as a personal legal matter that you should discuss with your divorce attorney. You can also contact your local Low Income Taxpayer Clinic or local Taxpayer Advocate Service for help.

Are Adult Dependents Getting Third Stimulus Checks

The new stimulus plan expands eligibility to adult dependents, including college students, elderly relatives and disabled adults.

The text of the plan redefines the term dependent according to section 152 of the tax code, which includes both qualifying children and adults: Section 152 provides that the term dependent means a qualifying child ) or a qualifying relative ).

While the plan pays out $1,400 for each qualifying dependent, families should keep in mind that the targeted lower income ranges exclude them if they earn over $160,000.

For reference, the second stimulus checks provided additional $600 payments for qualifying dependents under the age of 17. So a couple filing jointly with three eligible children could get a maximum second payment of $3,000 .

Under the first and second rounds of stimulus checks, children and adult dependents over the age limit could not get an additional payment, and they did not qualify for a stimulus check of their own either.

With the new stimulus plan, however, both joint filers and heads of household get an additional $1,400 payment for each dependent, regardless of age. The table below breaks down the third stimulus checks for heads of household with one dependent:

Also Check: When Will We Get The $1400 Stimulus Check

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.

Am I Eligible For A Stimulus Payment If I Receive Federal Benefits And Have Children

• The IRS said those who receive federal benefits, have dependent children and weren’t required to file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 needed to act by late April or early May to receive a full payment this year.
• If you didn’t submit this information by the due date, the IRS will give you $1,200 this year and the additional $500 per eligible child with your return filing for tax year 2020.
• SSI and VA beneficiaries had until May 5 to update the IRS.
• The update deadline for people who receive Social Security, survivor, disability or railroad retirement benefits was April 22. The IRS said recipients in those groups have been scheduled to receive checks.
• For more on how to use the Non-Filers tool, see the section below for those not required to file a tax return.

You May Like: What’s The Status On The Third Stimulus Check

Im A Representative Payee For A Social Security Or Supplemental Social Security Beneficiary What Do I Need To Know About The Economic Impact Payments

The beneficiarys Economic Impact Payment will arrive in the same way they either receive their monthly benefits or their tax return for 2019 or 2018.

• If the beneficiary didnt file a 2019 or 2018 tax return, theyll receive their EIP payments the same way they receive monthly Social Security or SSI payments. This may be through direct deposit to their banking account or Direct Express card, or a mailed paper check.
• If the beneficiary did file a 2019 or 2018 tax return, the payment will be deposited to the same bank account or debit card as the most recent tax refund or mailed to the address on the beneficiarys last tax return.

Does Receiving The First Stimulus Check Mean You Will Receive The Second Stimulus Check

Not necessarily. If your taxable income increased from 2018 to 2019, you may not be eligible for the second stimulus payment. Also, because the stimulus payments phase out at lower income levels , fewer people will qualify for a stimulus check.

For example, if you were an individual who earned $90,000 AGI in 2019, you qualified for a reduced stimulus payment in the first round. But for the second round of checks, the maximum AGI for an individual filer is $87,000so youd no longer qualify for any stimulus check.

You May Like: Will There Be A Third Stimulus Check In 2021

Who Is Eligible For A Stimulus Check

U.S. citizens and resident aliens who meet income requirements and who cannot be claimed as a dependent on another persons tax return are generally eligible. Income is based on your 2019 adjusted gross income . Individuals earning under $75,000 and heads of households under $112,500 typically qualify for the full $600 stimulus payment. Those married and filing jointly or surviving spouses earning under $150,000 usually qualify for a $1,200 payment.

If you exceed the income requirements, you may still receive a reduced stimulus payment, but the $600 payment phases out completely at $87,000 AGI for individuals and $174,000 AGI for couples filing jointly.

Do I Have To Repay My Stimulus Money

No, unless you obtained your stimulus check fraudulently.

Recommended Reading: Wells Fargo Stimulus Check Deposit Time

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.

Important: Third Stimulus Check Qualification Details

The third stimulus checks now going out open up more avenues for people to claim a payment — so long as their yearly earnings in 2019 or 2020 fall within the brackets for receiving the third check. These new payments come with changes to the income limit for individuals and families who’d qualify for a full stimulus payment — it isn’t the same as it was for the first two rounds of checks approved in 2020. Check out the chart below for more and use our stimulus calculator to estimate how much you could get.

Also Check: How Do I Sign Up For A Stimulus Check