As part of the stimulus package, you may get payment from the government.
Angela Lang/CNET
On Friday, the US House of Representatives is expected to vote on a $2 trillion economic stimulus package that includes payments of up to $1,200 to US taxpayers, in an effort to blunt the financial effects of the coronavirus outbreak. The US Senate passed the bill on Wednesday. If it clears the House, it’s expected that President Trump will sign it into law.
In addition to giving money to individual taxpayers and families, the proposed law provides financial aid for businesses and industries staggered by the novel virus.
About 9 in 10 households may receive a recovery rebate under the economic stimulus. Not everyone will receive the complete rebate, and some won’t receive a payment at all.
Here’s what we know about the individual and household stimulus rebates if the bill becomes law — including finding out if you’ll be eligible, how much you can expect to receive, and how to receive your payments. We’ll update this story as developments take place.
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How much you get depends on last year’s taxes
If the bill passes, 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. 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.
Read on for how your payment is calculated and how much you can expect. You can also look at this calculator.
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.
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 recommends that anyone who hasn’t filed a 2018 tax return to file now.
If you’re retired and didn’t file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, you still may qualify
The IRS will use your Social Security benefit statement to determine if you can receive a payment.
Young people aged 17 to 23 may not receive a payment
College students between 19 and 23 don’t qualify, nor do young people aged 17 to 19 (who may or may not be students).
When the checks will go out
At a White House press conference on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he expects people will receive their checks within three weeks after the bill passes 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.
Do you need to sign up, apply or request your check?
The federal government will automatically send your check to you, if you qualify, according to the IRS.
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.
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.