14 Apr COVID-19 Update: Stimulus Checks
The first rounds of stimulus checks have reportedly gone out electronically. As a part of the CARES Act, the US government will be sending out stimulus checks of $1200 per adult and $500 per child proportional to one’s income. The checks will be based on your 2019 income tax or 2018 if you have yet to file your 2019 taxes. The payments are either by mail or by direct deposit if you gave your bank account info in your previous return. The first rounds of direct deposits have begun the week of April 13th for the lowest-earning folks. The first rounds of checks are set to be sent out the first week of May.
The Stimulus checks are eligible for citizens and non-citizens who file taxes with a social security number. Non-filers who usually receive Social Security benefits or make below $12,000 are eligible as well. However, if you are over 17 and claimed as a dependent, you will not be eligible and your claimant won’t get a check for you. For single filers, who make $75,000 gross income or less will qualify for the full amount, and for every $100 you make over that, the check decreases by $5. The same goes for heads of households with at least one dependent, but their point of decrease begins after $112,500. For Joint filers, that number is $150,000.
Most people who filed their taxes in 2018 or 2019 will not have to do anything but wait for the checks to come in the mail or hit their accounts. But there are a select few that may need to take additional steps, non-filers are able to fill out a brief form on the IRS website to provide payment information. In addition, the IRS has said that people who receive Social Security benefits will receive their stimulus check like they receive their benefits. Tax filers who need to update payment information is now available on the IRS website here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
Make the Road Nevada’s mission of building the power of Latinx and working-class communities of color to achieve dignity and justice still continues during this pandemic. Our offices are closed but our team will remain available to our community digitally through email amigxs@maketheroadnv.org or by phone. Leave a voicemail at (702) 907-1560 with your full name and best return contact information so that one of our organizers may call you back. ¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido! The people united will never be divided!