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.
Is There A Maximum Number Of Checks A Household Can Receive
All dependents are now eligible for stimulus payments in the third round. The payment should include all eligible dependents and will be paid in one lump sum to whoever claims them, according to Tucker.
There is no limit defined in the law, however normal IRS checks and balances probably will trigger a second look with a tax return with 10 family members but certainly is legal, says Steber. Remember, any individual who is a taxpayers dependent will not get their own check, instead they should be on the parent return giving the parent the additional money.
Previously, if you had a child over the age of 16 or had an adult dependent, they didn’t receive a stimulus. The payments would amount to $1,400 for each dependent child. Eligible families will get a $1,400 payment per qualifying dependent claimed on their tax return, including college students, adults with disabilities, parents and grandparents.
How Do I Get Help Filing A 2020 Tax Return To Claim My Eip
The IRS recommends electronic filing, and we agree. It is a faster, more secure option. Paper forms will take much longer to be processed by IRS. You may qualify for free e-file software.
You can also call the Vermont 2-1-1 hotline and follow the menu options for tax preparation. Through this service you may be able to schedule an appointment with a free Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Assistance site. These sites are staffed by trained volunteers. They provide free preparation services to taxpayers who meet eligibility requirements.
Also, you can find Form 1040 and Form 1040 instructions on the IRS website. The instructions for the “Recovery Rebate Credit” are found on pages 57 – 59.
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Do I Have To File Taxes To Get A Stimulus Check
Yes, the IRS says if you are required to file taxes, you must do so to get a stimulus check. Therefore, if you have not filed your 2019 return yet, you should do so right away. Also, ensure you have included your direct deposit information to get your check as soon as possible.
For those not required to file taxes, the IRS will use the information on Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 to provide stimulus checks. This includes senior citizens, Social Security recipients, and railroad retirees who are not required to file taxes.
If you are required to file, consider filing an online return to get a Stimulus Check.
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Details Of The Third Stimulus Check

Previous stimulus efforts included income caps, but in prior rounds you could still get a partial payment if you had dependents, even if you exceeded the cap. In the new round, if you exceed the income caps, you dont get a check, period.
The third round of stimulus includes consideration for people who fall into a range of categories that may qualify them for the third check:
- SSDI recipients
- Those who are not U.S. citizens
- American citizens who do not live in the USA
- Families with mixed-status citizenship
Income restrictions apply in most cases, and those in the above categories may need to do some additional research to learn under what circumstances they qualify or are disqualified under the bill.
Some of these individuals and families may have difficulty sorting out the stimulus payment depending on how they receive other benefitsits strongly recommended that those who need assistance claiming their stimulus while also receiving SSI or SSDI or other benefits contact the IRS or their nearest Social Security office to get advice and help.
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Which Tax Return Is Used For My Third Stimulus Check
The IRS uses 2019 or 2020 tax returns to determine eligibility for your third stimulus check. You should note that if your income fell in the 2020 tax year, filing your tax return earlier could help you qualify for a bigger third stimulus check. The new stimulus plan targets lower income ranges to exclude higher-earning taxpayers from getting a payment.
As we pointed out before, individuals making under $75,000 get the maximum stimulus payment of $1,400 . But payments are capped at $80,000 for single filers and $160,000 for couples. So filing at the beginning of the tax season with a lower income may help you qualify for a bigger check. But, if your income went up in tax year 2020, then you may want to delay filing so that eligibility is determined by your lower 2019 income.
You might also want to file early if the size of your family increased in 2020. The new stimulus plan includes a child tax credit that pays up to $3,600 for each qualifying child under 6 years old, and $3,000 for every child between ages 6 and 17. This means that if you became a parent during the tax year, you could get an additional payment by claiming your child as a dependent earlier.
SmartAssets child tax credit calculator will help you figure out how much you could get for each child.
You can use SmartAssets tax return calculator to figure out your 2021 tax refund or tax bill.
I Have More Questions About My Situation How Can I Get Help
Vermonters with a low income can contact us at the Vermont Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic by filling out our form or calling 1-800-889-2047.
Video: Second Round of COVID Economic Impact Payments/Stimulus Checks. Watch the video on On January 7, 2021, attorney Zachary Lees of Vermont Legal Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic discussed who is eligible to get the stimulus payments and how they will be sent out. He also answered COVID-related tax questions.
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Who Qualifies For The Third Stimulus Check
Millions of Americans who were eligible for the $600 second stimulus checks could qualify for the third round of stimulus payments up to $1,400. However, many high-earning taxpayers who were eligible for previous stimulus checks are now excluded. The plan narrows income eligibility to exclude individuals earning over $80,000 and couples making over $160,000:
- Singles phase out at AGIs between $75,000 and $80,000.
- Heads of household phase out at AGIs between $112,500 and 120,000.
- Couples phase out at AGIs between $150,000 and $160,000.
Keep in mind that this is different from the sliding scale that was used to determine eligibility for previous stimulus payments. The IRS reduced second stimulus checks by 5% for the total amount made over the AGI limit. This means that payments went down by $5 for every $100 over the limit.
The table below breaks down third stimulus payments based on narrower income ranges for singles and joint tax filers:
$1,400 Stimulus Checks With Narrower Income Ranges |
Single AGI |
$174,000 and up | $0 |
If you want to get a specific breakdown, SmartAssets third stimulus check calculator will give you an estimate based on your filing status, AGI and dependents.
Who Is Eligible To Receive A Stimulus Payment
Generally, U.S. citizens and green card holders are eligible for the stimulus payments. Also, the new law expands who is eligible for a stimulus payment.
In the first round of payments, joint returns of couples where only one member of the couple had a Social Security number were not eligible for a payment unless they were a member of the military. These families are now eligible to receive a stimulus payment, including the additional payment for their dependent children. The new law also made this expansion retroactive to the first round of stimulus payments. If your family did not receive the first stimulus payment because only one spouse had an SSN you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 federal income tax return.
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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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Taxation Of Third Stimulus Checks
Question: Will my third stimulus check be taxed later?
Answer: No. As with the first two rounds of payments, your third stimulus check is actually just an advanced payment of the Recovery Rebate tax credit for the 2021 tax year. As such, it won’t be included in your taxable income.
You also won’t be required to repay any stimulus check payment when filing your 2021 tax return even if your third stimulus check is greater than your 2021 credit. If your third stimulus check is less than your 2021 credit, you’ll get the difference when you file your 2021 return next year. So, it’s a win-win situation for you!
What If My Bank Account Information Changed How Will I Get My Second Stimulus Check

Unfortunately, if your second stimulus check is sent to an account that is closed or no longer active, the IRS will not reissue the payment to you by mail. Instead, if you are eligible to get a payment, you can claim the stimulus check on your 2020 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit or use GetCTC.org if you dont have a filing requirement.
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Stimulus Check: You’ll Need This Irs Notice To Get More Money
If your stimulus check was less than you deserved in 2021, you’ll need IRS Letter 6475 to claim the rest of it.
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Dan is a writer on CNET’s How-To team. His byline has appeared in Newsweek, NBC News, The New York Times, Architectural Digest, The Daily Mail and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.
The IRS started mailing Letter 6475 in January.
Most Americans received their full Economic Impact Payment — or third stimulus check — in 2021, but it’s possible you could have more money coming. If you had a baby last year or added a qualifying child to your family, you’re eligible for another $1,400. If your income changed significantly in 2021, you could also be owed more money.
The IRS finished mailing the third checks in January, but those entitled to more money can claim what’s called the recovery rebate credit on their 2021 tax returns when they file this tax season. The catch is that you’ll need a specific IRS notice to do that.
Letter 6475, Your Third Economic Impact Payment, was mailed to recipients of the third stimulus check starting in late January. It’s considered the official record of your stimulus payments for all of 2021. The letter helps determine if you’re owed more money via the recovery rebate credit. Even if you don’t qualify for more money, you still need the letter to report stimulus money on your tax return.
What To Do If There’s No More Stimulus Aid
The idea of not getting another stimulus check may be disappointing, especially at a time when inflation is rampant and everything seems to cost more. But you can still take steps to boost your income.
First, research salary data to see if you’re being paid a fair wage where you work. If not, you can either fight for a raise or dust off your resume and seek out a new employment opportunity. Or if you’re looking for extra work, the gig economy is still very much alive, which means you have a chance to take on a side hustle for extra money.
You can also put yourself on a stricter budget if you’re struggling to make ends meet. That could mean cutting back on some expenses temporarily until the cost of living dips back downward.
Of course, if the economic situation takes a drastic turn for the worse, then a follow-up stimulus round could be in the cards. But that’s a scenario no one should hope for.
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How Is The Third Stimulus Check Calculated
The stimulus plan mandates the treasury to rely on 2019 and 2020 tax returns to calculate how much you could get for the third round of stimulus checks.
Congress approved limits based on adjusted gross income ranges. This means that taxpayers making less than the minimum threshold could get the full stimulus check, while those earning above it get reduced payments until they are fully phased out at higher incomes.
You can find your AGI on IRS form 1040. This is calculated by subtracting deductions like student loan interest, health savings account payments, and contributions to a traditional IRA from your gross income.
By contrast, your gross income is the total amount of money that you made during the tax year, including wages, dividends, capital gains, rental property income and other types of revenue.
Your 2019 taxes had to be filed by July 15, 2020. And your 2020 taxes are due by the extended deadline of May 17. You can read more about when to file your tax returns for the third stimulus check, and other IRS requirements in two tax sections below.
Who Is Eligible For The Second Stimulus Check
Eligibility is primarily based on four requirements:
1. Income: The income requirements to receive the full payment are the same as the first stimulus check.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. This stimulus payment starts to phaseout for people with higher earnings. The second stimulus check maximum income limit is lower than the first stimulus check. Single filers who earned more than $87,000 in 2019 are ineligible for the second stimulus check.
View the chart below to compare income requirements for the first and second stimulus checks.
Income to Receive Full Stimulus Payment | First Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit | Second Stimulus Check Maximum Income Limit |
Single Filer | ||
$136,500 | $124,500 |
2. Social Security Number: This requirement differs from the original eligibility for the first stimulus check. Originally under the first stimulus check, if you were married filing jointly, both spouses needed valid Social Security numbers . If one spouse had an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number , then both spouses were ineligible for the stimulus check. For married military couples, the spouse with an SSN could still get the stimulus check for themselves but not the other spouse with an ITIN.
Examples
Former first stimulus check rules:
Second stimulus check rules:
Former first and second stimulus check rules for military filers:
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How Will I Know When My Stimulus Payment Has Been Deposited
As always, you can use online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App to monitor your account balance and transactions as often as you wish.
To be notified in real time, we recommend setting up a transaction alert . You can choose to be notified by text1 or email whenever a deposit or withdrawal is made on your account.
Visit the Get My Payment site at IRS.gov to monitor the status of your payment.
Amount And Status Of Your Payment
To find the amount of the third payment, create or view your online account or refer to IRS Notice 1444-C, which we mailed after sending the payment.
If you are sent a plus-up Economic Impact Payment after your 2020 tax return is processed:
- The amount of your initial third payment will no longer show in your online account. You will only see the amount of your plus-up payment.
- The status of your initial third payment will no longer show in Get My Payment. You will only see the status of your plus-up payment.
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