How Will I Get My Stimulus Check
Most people will get the money deposited directly into their bank accounts if they filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. People who get Social Security benefits will get their money the same way they get their Social Security payments. The same for SSI recipients and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries.
If you don’t file taxes, you will also get a payment but will need to register for it using a free online tool on the IRS website by October 15.
People who do not set up direct deposit with the federal government will be mailed a paper check or a prepaid debit card.
Will A Stimulus Check Affect My Tax Refund
No. Even though the stimulus payment may feel and look like a tax refund, it’s not. You’ll still get your full tax refund next year , as long as you file a tax return.
The stimulus check is a tax credit, which reduces your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. It’s like having store credit at your favorite clothing shop when you apply it to your total bill, it reduces what you owe.
You usually can’t claim a tax credit until you file your taxes since you don’t know what you owe until the year is over. Because of the severity of this national crisis, the government is giving qualifying taxpayers their credit early in the form of a cash payment. It will not affect your refund this year or next.
Why Can’t I Get On The Get My Payment Site
The IRS said this can happen if people don’t provide security answers that match the tax agency’s information over the course of several attempts to log in. The IRS asks for personal information such as a Social Security number, birthdate and address.
“If you can’t verify your identity, you won’t be able to use Get My Payment,” the IRS said. “Don’t contact the IRS for assistance with a lockout IRS assisters can’t unlock your account.”
However, the site will allow you to try again after 24 hours.
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Where Is Your Payment Being Sent
The IRS will issue a check by mail or direct deposit based on the data the agency already has in its systems. Taxpayers will receive their check through their bank account if their direct deposit information is already on file. Otherwise, the payment will be sent by mail.
If that bank account on file is closed or no longer active, the bank will return the deposit and the individual may be issued a check instead.
Stimulus Checks: What You Need To Know

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On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The United States swiftly responded. Individual states put a series of lockdowns in place to slow the spread, and as unemployment climbed, the federal government sprang into action. It passed relief bills that included an Economic Impact Payment — better known as a coronavirus stimulus check.
Following the first stimulus payment, demand grew for more direct relief to American families as the pandemic raged on. In December 2020, the U.S. government again took action to provide a second stimulus check.
However, many on the left felt the second check was insufficient, leading numerous Democrats to campaign on providing additional stimulus funds. Voters delivered Democrats control of the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate.
As a result, shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden signed a bill authorizing a third stimulus check. The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The legislation passed on a partisan basis with no Republican support. It’s widely expected to be the last direct payment Americans receive.
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Who Is Eligible For A Stimulus Check
The vast majority of Michigan residents are eligible to receive a stimulus check from the federal government this year. Even if you have no income, you are still eligible, but need to take action to receive your stimulus payment. This includes individuals with low or no earnings who normally don’t file taxes. Every American adult earning less than $75,000 is eligible for a stimulus check from the federal government this year. While this site is geared toward Michigan residents, the information is applicable nationwide.If you still have questions about your stimulus check after reviewing this website, call the IRS at or, United Way at .
After you sign up, make sure to add your account information on the IRS website. If you dont want to sign up for a bank account, you can also link to your prepaid debit card instead.You can also receive your funds through the Cash App, by providing the IRS with the routing and account numbers connected to your Cash App. You can download the Cash App or locate your Cash App account information here.
What if I havent filed taxes?
What if I dont qualify – where else can I get help?
If you dont qualify for the stimulus payment, we recommend reaching out to Michigan 2-1-1. They can connect you to resources in your community.
Will my payment be reduced or offset if I owe tax, have a payment agreement with the IRS, owe other Federal or State debt, or owe other debt collectors?
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.
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What If I Get My Stimulus Check And It’s Too Big
You don’t need to do anything.
Technically, this payment is a tax credit. A tax credit reduces your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. It is one of the last steps in calculating your annual tax liability and can be claimed regardless of whether you itemize your deductions. Some tax credits, like the coronavirus recovery rebate, are refundable. That means you’ll still get the money even if you don’t have enough tax liability to offset it.
There aren’t any clawback provisions outlined in the law, so you wouldn’t be expected to repay any of the money if you wind up getting too much.
I Used The 2020 Irs Non
Most likely, the IRS wasnt able to process your 2019 tax return or the information you submitted to the IRS Non-filer tool in time to issue your 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
Do I Need To Do Anything To Get A Stimulus Check

You might the process is automatic for most Americans who qualify, with the exception of non-filers .
To get a payment, you must have a Social Security number. Nonresident aliens, people without a Social Security number, and adult dependents are not eligible.
The IRS is able to deliver payments by direct deposit much faster than mailing paper checks, and has urged people to submit direct-deposit information if it doesn’t already have yours. If you don’t provide bank information, the IRS will mail you a check.
If you file taxes:
If you filed taxes in 2018 or 2019, that tax return must reflect an adjusted gross income below $99,000 for single filers, $136,500 for heads of household, and $198,000 for married filers.
If you file taxes but don’t usually get a tax refund, and therefore haven’t given the IRS your direct-deposit information, the IRS will send your payment by mail. There was a tool allowing filers to provide bank details, but the deadline has passed.
If you don’t file taxes:
If you don’t file taxes but do get federal benefits, the government will use that information for your payment.
Americans who didn’t have a tax liability in 2018 or 2019 and don’t get Social Security payments, veterans benefits, or Supplemental Security Income should use a tool on the IRS website if they want to get paid. The deadline to submit your information is October 15, 2020.
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What If I Dont Have A Bank Account
If you dont have a bank account, a paper check will be sent to the address you listed on your tax return.
Direct deposit is the quickest and safest way to get payments. Alternatives to receiving a paper check are opening a bank account or using a prepaid debit card. Once you get a card, you may need to contact the company directly to find the account and routing numbers needed for direct deposit. To find a bank, you can view this list of accounts offered by financial institutions that meet national standards. You can also use payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal.
Do not provide the bank account information for someone else. Different names on the tax return and bank account will trigger a reject of the deposit, causing the IRS to send you a paper check which will delay the delivery of your payment.
Who Can Expect A Stimulus Payment And For How Much
As was the case with the CARES Act, the government will base the amount you receive on the adjusted gross income, or your income minus certain deductions, that you reported on your most recent taxes. If you didn’t file 2019 taxes, they’ll look at what you reported for 2018.
Individuals who earn up to $75,000 a year will be eligible for the full $600 relief payment. If your income is more than $75,000 but less than $87,000, you’re eligible for a reduced payment.
As a parent, you may also receive up to an additional $600 per child, no matter your filing status. The CARES Act rules, which limited qualified dependents to those under 17, are still in place.
Check out Grow’s calculator to crunch the numbers on how much your family might get.
Although the Senate tabled legislation that would increase the stimulus payments to $2,000, should legislation pass that increases the amount, “Economic Impact Payments that have been issued will be topped up,” a senior official at the Treasury Department told CNBC.
Video by Helen Zhao
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Can I File My Taxes With A Paper Return
Yes, however it is not recommended. If you have not filed your taxes yet and still need to, file electronically if possible. IRS processing of paper returns is delayed due to COVID-19. You can use GetCTC.org if you arent normally required to file taxes, and get support from the chat function on the site, where you can communicate with an IRS-certified volunteer to help you complete the form. GetCTC.org is available through November 15, 2021.
If you must file a paper return, you can download the tax forms from IRS.gov or use an online tax software program to complete your return and print it instead of filing electronically. If you need to file a paper return and do not have internet access, ask a trusted friend or relative for help.
How Much Will I Get In My Stimulus Check
The IRS bases the amount of your payment on the adjusted gross income listed on your most recent tax return: 2018 or 2019.
The maximum payment is $1,200 for single filers with an AGI below $75,000 or single parents with an AGI below $112,500. Married couples who file jointly and have an AGI below $150,000 will get a total of $2,400.
Payments will begin to phase out at a rate of $5 for each $100 over the AGI threshold before ceasing at an AGI of $99,000 for single filers, $136,500 for heads of household, and $198,000 for married filers. There’s also an additional $500 allotted to parents who have an AGI within the phaseout range for each child younger than 17.
You can use an online calculator to figure out how much your check will be if you’re unsure.
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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.
Who Gets Stimulus Check 2021
Most families will get the money. Single filers with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will get the full benefit. The same goes for married couples filing jointly who make less than $150,000. The expanded credit phases out at an adjusted gross income of $95,000 and $170,000, respectively.Sep 15, 2021
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How Can You Check Your Stimulus Check Status
The Get My Payment tool on the IRS.gov website went live on Saturday and can help track your payment and check the status of your money.
The website notes the tool is updated once per day, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check multiple times per day.
The “Get My Payment” tool will tell you:
- Payment date
- Payment method Note: mail means you may be issued an EIP card or a check
If your payment status is not available, that means the IRS has not yet processed your payment, or you are not eligible for a payment.
If you get a message that says “Need More Information,” that means your payment was returned to the IRS because the post office was unable to deliver it. The IRS said people who got this message will eventually be able to use the tool to provide additional bank account information.