Everything you need to know about the Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) The economic impact payments (or stimulus checks as they’re more commonly known) are part of an emergency economic relief package created to combat the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on to learn if you’re eligible for payment, if you need to take any action to receive it, when you should expect to get your check, and scams to be aware of.
Am I eligible for a stimulus check?
U.S. residents will receive $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work-eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income up to:
● $75,000 for individuals
● $112,500 for head of household filers and
● $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns
Taxpayers with incomes greater than the above amounts will receive a reduced payment.
Other eligible individuals:
● Eligible retirees
● Those who receive veterans’ benefits
● Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and disability recipients
● Taxpayers who don’t make enough money to have to file a tax return
● Those who have no income
● Those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs
Find out if you’re eligible for an economic impact payment.
How do I get my payment?
No additional action needed:
Those who filed their tax return for 2019 and/or 2018 do not need to do anything in order to receive their stimulus check. It will automatically be sent through direct deposit or via the mail. Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients do not need to take any additional action to receive their check.
Additional action needed:
Low-income workers and certain veterans and individuals with disabilities who aren’t required to file a tax return are still eligible for the Economic Impact Payments. See if you have a filing requirement. If you don’t, complete this application to get your payment.
I want a direct deposit, not a mailed check
If you did not receive a direct deposit tax refund from the IRS in 2018 or 2019, you can submit your bank information now. You will then receive your economic impact payment as a direct deposit. The IRS has said that you will receive your payment sooner than if you would be receiving it as a paper check, but they have not specified when the payment will be deposited.
Payment Timeline
The IRS began issuing economic impact payments (more commonly known as stimulus checks) on April 11. The following timeline illustrates the order in which the IRS will distribute checks:
1. Mid-April: Households with direct deposit information on file with the IRS will receive their economic impact payment as a direct deposit in their account.
2. Late-April: Social Security beneficiaries who don’t file tax returns and receive their social security benefits by direct deposit will receive their payment.
3. Early May: Paper checks will be mailed to taxpayers without direct deposit set up with the IRS. This may take up to 20 weeks.
Tracking your payment
The IRS created Get My Payment, which can be used to find out when you will receive your stimulus check.
Scams
Unfortunately, scams around the stimulus checks have begun. These are schemes designed to steal personal information and money from individuals.
The IRS will not call, text, email, or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information. The IRS will never contact you in this way (now or in the future)and ask for this information.
Do not pay anyone who claims they can expedite a payment for you. You do not need to pay any upfront fees to receive the stimulus check. No one from the government will be calling you to verify your personal or banking information.
If you come across someone trying to steal your personal information, report it to www.ftc.gov/complaint
No lost income due to COVID-19?
If you haven’t lost any income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consider donating a portion of your stimulus check. Neighborhood House is helping those impacted by the crisis through food support and emergency housing assistance. Part of your economic impact payment can go toward our COVID-19 response and support those most impacted by the virus in our community.
