Stimulus Bill FAQ

Who is eligible and how much can I expect?

The IRS has listed eligibility prerequisites on their website.  

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) would provide a one-time $1,200 payment to most individuals that earned less than $75,000 last year.  For married couples, each person would receive a check and families would get $500 per child.  

If you filed a Head of Household return in 2018 or 2019 and your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) was less than $112,500, you will receive the full amount.

If you filed a Married Filing Joint tax return and your AGI was less than $150,000, you will receive the full amount.

The amount of your stimulus payment will be $5 less for every $100 in income you have over these limits.

You will receive the stimulus even if you did not file a tax return because you had no taxable income, or not enough taxable income to be required to pay (such as those whose only income is Social Security or Disability).  

Where is my Stimulus Check?

If you believe you are eligible to receive a stimulus check, whether it be through direct deposit or check, the IRS has created the ’Get My Payment’ (available in mid-April) application to check the status of your stimulus payment.

Who is ineligible?

Nonresidents, individuals whose deductions can go to another taxpayer, those without a valid social security number, estates or trusts, and those who are:

• Single and make more than $99,000 in AGI
• Head of household and make more than $146,500 in AGI (with one child)
• Married filing joint couples who make more than $198,000 (with no children).

How Will I Receive the Stimulus?

If you filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 the federal government will use that information to figure out how much money to send you and how to get it to you. 

If you received your refund via direct deposit, they will use the same bank account to pay your stimulus. If you did not use direct deposit, they will mail a check to the address on your 2018 or 2019 return. 

If you did not file a tax return because your only income is from Social Security, you will still receive the stimulus. The federal government will use the address on your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099). 

What if I moved? 

If you moved since your last tax return or received your last Social Security Benefit Statement, you should immediately fill out Form 8822 change of address form and mail it in. It takes 4-6 weeks to process this change so you’ll want to do this as soon as possible.

What if I did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019?

If you had any taxable income at all – even a few dollars in interest – file a return electronically or by mail. The printable forms can be found here. If you’re filing electronically, we suggest using the IRS free-file program or the My Free Taxes program.

If you had no taxable income, do not file electronically. Entering $0 in AGI will make the return kick-back as the system will not understand why you are filing if you had no taxable income. Use the printable forms and mail them.

Don’t forget to sign the 1040 form before mailing it.

The Capital Area United Way’s free tax prep assistance program, VITA, has had to shut down for safety reasons. When the stay-at-home order is lifted, you can call 211 to schedule a VITA free tax prep appointment. For more information, visit their website.