“Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said he expected most people to get their payments by April 17.” – The New York Times, March 31, 2020
Coronavirus $1,200 stimulus check:
See if you’re eligible, how to get your cash payment amount
April 1, 2020
Cnet – For many US taxpayers, the stimulus checks that are part of the $2 trillion economic stimulus package may help lessen the economic blow caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s estimated that nine in 10 US households could qualify to receive an economic impact payment.
Stimulus checks are expected to go out in three weeks, but not everyone will receive a complete payment and some won’t receive a stimulus check at all.
How much you get depends on last year’s taxes
The total amount of your stimulus check will be based on your adjusted gross income, or AGI, from your 2019 federal tax filing or — if you’ve not filed this year yet — your 2018 filing.
If you’ve filed your 2019 federal tax return, you can find that figure on line 8b of the 2019 1040 federal tax form. It’s line 7 on the 2018 1040 tax form.
Who is eligible for a stimulus payment?
The amount you’ll receive will depend on your total income in 2019 or 2018. If you qualify, you’ll receive one payment. Here’s who qualifies:
- If you’re a single US resident and have an adjusted gross income less than $99,000
- If you file as the head of a household and earn under $146,500
- If you file jointly without children and earn less than $198,000
How much you’ll get as a single taxpayer
A single US resident must have a social security number and an AGI under $75,000 to receive the full amount of $1,200. The sum decreases as your AGI goes up. If your adjusted gross income reaches $99,000, you won’t be eligible for the stimulus.
Heads of household
If you file as head of a household, you will get the full $1,200 payment if your AGI is $112,500 or less, with the amount decreasing till you reach $146,500.
Couples filing jointly
Married couples filing jointly without children with an adjusted gross income below $150,000 will get a $2,400 payment, decreasing to zero at $198,000. For each child age 16 or younger in the family, parents will get a payment of $500. Older children and other dependents may not be eligible for a payment.
If you haven’t filed federal taxes for 2018, do that right now
The IRS said if you haven’t filed your 2018 federal taxes, that could affect your stimulus check and urges anyone who hasn’t filed a 2018 tax return to file now. Be sure to include direct deposit banking information on the return.
If you’re typically not required to file a tax return, you still can receive a payment
Those people normally not required to file a tax return — including low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans, people with disabilities or retirees — will need to file a simple tax return to receive the payment, the IRS said.
The IRS will have soon have instructions for how to file a 2019 tax return on its coronavirus web page for those who typically aren’t required to file.
When will the checks will go out?
At the White House on Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he expects people will begin to receive their checks within three weeks if they have direct deposit set up with the IRS.
If you’ve not set up direct deposit with the IRS, the government will mail your check.
You’ll be able to set up direct deposit to have the check sent to your bank account
Secretary Mnuchin said for those who don’t have direct deposit set up but want to receive the payment electronically, the federal government will create an online system that will let you set up electronic payments so you get the money deposited directly into a bank account. The IRS said the online tool will be available in the coming weeks.
Do you need to sign up, apply or request your check?
For most, the federal government will automatically send your check to you electronically or in the mail, if you qualify. If you’ve not filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, or if you typically aren’t required to file a tax return, the IRS said you’ll need to file one to receive a payment. The IRS’s coronavirus page will soon have instructions for how to file.
What to do if you don’t receive your check
If you qualify for a payment, you should expect a notice in the mail from the government with information about where and when it sent your check. If you receive the notice but not the check or direct deposit, contact the IRS using information in the notice.
We have tips for how best to use your stimulus check and how to avoid being scammed. In addition to the economic stimulus package, the US government delayed the income tax filing deadline to July 15. If you need more help, here’s how to get financial relief. Source: CNET.com [Fair Use].
