Whats Going On With The Stimulus Checks

Understanding A Stimulus Check

Stimulus checks have been mailed out to U.S. taxpayers on several occasions. These checks vary in amount according to the taxpayers filing status. Joint taxpayers generally receive twice as much as those filing singly. In some instances, those who had unpaid back taxes saw their stimulus checks automatically applied to their outstanding balance.

Research posted on the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the means of delivery of fiscal stimulus makes a difference to the overall spending patterns of consumers. Implementing fiscal stimulus by sending checks resulted in an increase in consumer spending activity. However, applying tax credits equal to the amount of money provided in a stimulus check did not result in an equivalent increase in consumer spending activity.

Who Qualifies For A Stimulus Check

Not everyone. Here’s the income criteria:

• Single filers whose adjusted gross income does not exceed $75,000 are eligible for the full $1,400 stimulus payment. The amount begins to shrink after that and phases out completely at $80,000.

• Heads of household whose AGI does not exceed $112,500 are eligible for the full $1,400 stimulus payment. The amount begins to shrink after that and phases out completely at $120,000.

No matter your IRS filing status, the stimulus payment should have included up to $1,400 for every qualifying tax dependent you might have.

» MORE:See who can be a tax dependent

Financial Crisis Of 2008

One example of the use of stimulus checks occurred when the U.S. economy entered a severe recession after the financial crisis of 2008. The incoming Obama administration estimated that sending out checks would prevent unemployment rates from going beyond 8%.

The payments were part of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which was enacted during the administration of President George W. Bush. The government sent out checks to those with at least $3,000 in qualifying income from, or in combination with, Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, and earned income. The checks amounted to:

• Eligible individuals: between $300 and $600
• With eligible children: an additional $300 for each qualifying child

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How Are Americans Using Stimulus Checks

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York says that households are spending a smaller percentage of their stimulus checks and saving more. The that households set aside just under 25% of their third-round payments for consumption. This share fell from just over 29% of first-round payments reported in June 2020 and almost 26% of second-round payments reported in January 2021.

The table below is based on all three SCE surveys and breaks down the average percentage of stimulus payments spent, saved and used to pay off debt:

The New York Fed also says that households expect to spend an average 13% of the third stimulus check on essential items and an average 8% on non-essential items.

For a comparison, preliminary data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau from shows that the majority of stimulus recipients are almost three times more likely to use checks to pay down debt than add to their savings.

An earlier showed that the majority of recipients who got the first stimulus check spent their payment on household expenses. Adults with incomes between $75,000 and $99,999 told the Census that they would most likely pay off debt or add to their savings. While adults making less than $25,000 said they would use their stimulus to pay for expenses.

For those households that spent their first stimulus checks, the study says:

Where Is My Second Stimulus Check

All second stimulus checks were issued by January 15, 2021. If you didnt get a second stimulus check by then , you can claim your second stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.

You can request a trace of your stimulus check. You should only request a payment trace if you received IRS Notice 1444-B showing that your second stimulus check was issued or if your IRS account shows your payment amount and you havent received your second stimulus check.

Learn more about requesting a payment trace here.

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Th Stimulus Checks Given Out To Teachers

For other states, their fourth stimulus checks are taking on a new lookas teacher bonuses! Its no secret that teachers are the unsung heroes of our communities, and theyve been put through the wringer during the pandemic. To show them the appreciation that they more than deserve, some states are giving teachers a fourth stimulus.

• Florida

In Florida, teachers will be getting a $1,000 bonusalthough some of the details of who qualifies are up in the air. If youre a teacher in the Sunshine State, check with your district to see if you can get in on this.14

• Georgia

Georgia is extending the $1,000 bonus to both full-time teachers and administrators. Part-time teachers will still score a bonus of $500, and theres even a plan in place to give a bonus to pre-K teachers.15

• Michigan

Earlier in 2021, Michigan used a grant to pay bonuses of $500 to its teachers and $250 to school support staff. No word yet on whether theyll give out another bonus, though.16

• Tennessee

Our very own Tennessee is giving full-time teachers $1,000 and part-time teachers $500 to thank them for their hard work.17

• Texas

Now, nothing has happened statewide yet, but some districts in the Lone Star State are giving out their own bonuses. Districts are gifting things like 24% raises, a $500 bonus, and even a $2,000 incentive for some teachers to return to the classroom.18

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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:

Update On A Fourth Stimulus Check

Millions have been clamoring for recurring stimulus payments, and some lawmakers have expressed support for more relief aid through the pandemic. But President Joe Biden hasn’t pledged support to a fourth check, focusing instead on his proposed family and jobs packages and the recent infrastructure deal.

In a press conference on June 3, White House press secretary Jen Psaki played down the possibility of a fourth check, asserting that the administration has already put forward an economic recovery plan. Through the debate in Washington over additional economic impact payments continues, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that there will be any more direct payments this year.

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Child Tax Credit Expansion

While the future of another check is unclear, for millions of parents a type of fourth stimulus will automatically be hitting their bank accounts in the next 6 weeks or so. Under the stimulus relief bill, parents who make under $75,000 a year and have a child under 6 years of age will receive $3,600 through the child tax credit.

Monthly payments of $300 will start to hit bank accounts July 15 and last through December, offering half the total amount of the tax benefit. The other half will be claimed when filing a 2021 tax return. Parents of children over 6 years of age up to 17 will receive $3,000 total. There is a push by the Biden administration to expand this credit through 2025, but as of now the credit is set to last until next year at tax time.

Details on income thresholds and eligibility can be found here.

When Will A Second Stimulus Check Be Issued

The government began sending direct deposit payments on December 28, 2020. Paper checks were sent out starting on December 30, 2020.

Payments are automatically sent to:

• Eligible individuals who filed a 2019 tax return.
• Social Security recipients, including Social Security Disability Insurance , railroad retirees, and Supplemental Security and Veteran Affairs beneficiaries.
• Individuals who successfully registered for the first stimulus check online using the IRS Non-Filers tool or who submitted a simplified tax return that has been processed by the IRS

There is no action that you have to take to get your second stimulus check. People who provided their banking information with the IRS shouldve received their stimulus checks by direct deposit. Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who received the first payment via Direct Express shouldve received the second payment the same way.

The IRS sent paper checks or prepaid debit cards to people who did not provide their banking information. Mailed payments may be delivered in a different format than the first stimulus check.

All second stimulus checks were issued by January 15, 2021. If you didnt get a second stimulus check by then , you can claim your second stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2020 tax return or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.

By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney

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How Likely Is A Fourth Stimulus Check

Don’t hold your breath, according to Wall Street analysts.

For one, the Biden administration has focused on infrastructure spending to spark economic growth, betting that an investment in roads, trains and other direct investments will help get people back to work and spur the ongoing recovery.

Secondly, economists have pointed fingers at relief efforts such as the three rounds of stimulus checks for contributing to inflation. Because Americans had cash in their pockets, they boosted spending on goods such as furniture, cars and electronics. Combine that with the supply-chain crunch, and the result was sharply higher inflation, according to economists.

Without new stimulus efforts on the horizon, it’s likely that inflation could moderate in 2022, according to Brad McMillan, the chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network. “One cause of inflation has been an explosion of demand driven by federal stimulus,” he noted in a December report. “But that stimulus has now ended.”

He added, “Yes, we will continue to face inflation and supply problems, but they are moderating and will keep doing so.”

Wheres My Stimulus Check Everything You Need To Know And What Comes Next

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After two years of living in a perpetual state of crisis over the Covid pandemic, some huge changes have now come to fruition. The face mask mandate, for example, is no longer in effect on planes, trains, and other forms of public transport. And, likewise, federal stimulus checks meant to mitigate some of the economic pain associated with the pandemic, are a thing of the past.

Over the past 12 months, there were more than a half-dozen stimulus checks distributed by the federal government. That wave of payments includes a third stimulus check for $1,400, as well as six monthly child tax credit payments. So many stimulus payments, in other words, that answering the question Wheres my stimulus check? must first be preceded by, well, which one are you talking about?

Today’s Top Deals

Ultimately, the checks flowing from the federal government transferred as much as $16 billion to taxpayers on a monthly basis. For at least six months, according to the IRS. And that only refers to the child tax credit payments. Meanwhile, theres still a smattering of stimulus checks at the state level going out to different constituent groups. Below, well take a closer look at it all.

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What Is A Plus

A plus-up payment is basically just a bonus amount that you probably should have gotten the first time. The IRS actually owes more money to some people based on their most recent tax returns. If they used your 2019 tax information to dish out your stimulus payment but your 2020 taxes show they underpaid youyou might be in for a plus-up payment based on your income. But remember, this isnt for everyoneonly those who had a change in income or dependents would qualify for more stimulus money.

Fourth Stimulus Check Approval: Here’s What It’ll Take

The White House hasn’t responded to any of the proposals for additional stimulus checks, and the general sentiment is that a fourth stimulus check isn’t likely. Economists have suggested we’ve already moved past the pandemic’s worst financial woes, although there are signs that Americans could still use relief.

Experts certainly seem in agreement that there won’t be a fourth stimulus check. The latest stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan, is “gonna be the last on that front,” Deutsche Bank senior U.S. economist Brett Ryan told Fortune. “No more checks.”

Ed Mills, Washington policy analyst at Raymond James, agreed, telling CNBC recently “I think its unlikely at this time. D.C. has largely started to pivot towards the recovery and an infrastructure bill.”

Many economists and financial experts are worried that the third stimulus checks have contributed to a growing inflation rate. In June 2021, the core inflation rate, stripped of energy and food prices, rose 4.5% at an annual rate vs. the Dow Jones estimate of 3.8%. The overall consumer price index rose at an annualized 5.4% rate in June.

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How Many Stimulus Checks Did Americans Receive

• Jennifer Roback

• Invalid Date,

MANY AMERICANS suffered financially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In order to help Americans during the financial difficulties resulting from the pandemic, the government sent out stimulus checks.

Read our stimulus checks live blog for the latest updates on Covid-19 relief

Are $2000 Monthly Stimulus Checks Possible

In response to President Biden’s American Jobs Plan proposal, a group of 21 senators on March 30 sent a letter urging the inclusion of stimulus checks in the legislation. The group called for recurring payments as long as the pandemic lockdown continued, meaning people would get monthly checks from the government. No amount for the payments was specified.

We urge you to include recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions tied to economic conditions in your Build Back Better long-term economic plan, wrote the group, which consisted of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and others.

An earlier stimulus check proposal, put forward during the early days of the American Rescue Plan in late January, also suggested monthly payments until the pandemic is over, but did not mention an amount. However, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, tweeted earlier in January that she wanted to see $2,000 per month.

If that amount sounds familiar, it’s because now-Vice President Kamala Harris threw her support behind $2,000 recurring checks during the negotiations for the second stimulus check legislation in the summer of 2020.

The proposal has also gained plenty of support outside of Congress: Six online petitions calling for $2,000 monthly stimulus checks until the end of the pandemic have been posted. The biggest petition, on Change.org, has been signed by more than 2.8 million people and has a stated goal of reaching 3 million.

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$300 A Month For Families

Under the bill, both joint and single tax filers would receive $100 each, while each dependent would also receive $100 each. In other words, a family with two kids could receive up to $300 a month in rebate checks.

The plan would work similarly to the three stimulus checks the federal government offered in 2020 and 2021 in that the payments would be aimed at low- and middle-class households. Single people earning less than $75,000 annually would receive the full $100 rebate, while the checks would be phased out for people earning up to $80,000.

Joint filers who earn less than $150,000 would qualify, with the payment phased out at up to $160,000 in household income, according to Thompson’s statement. The proposal doesn’t specify how the rebate checks would be paid for, and the text of the bill isn’t yet published.

What If You Didn’t File Tax Return Or Register With The Irs’s Non

You may still be eligible to receive a payment. If you didn’t receive a first or second round stimulus payment you may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 federal income tax return. For the third round, we will update this page as additional information becomes available from the IRS.

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