How to Track Stimulus Checks
A second round of stimulus checks was approved at the end of 2020. Millions of Americans will receive payments up to $600 as part of the massive $900 billion package. Some people have already received these payments directly in their accounts. For those who are still waiting, the Internal Revenue Service has relaunched a tool that helps Americans track the second stimulus payment. Some people might need to wait until they file their taxes, and other, who make more than the maximum income limit, will not see a check at all. So let’s see who is eligible first, and then how to track stimulus checks.
Who is Eligible
Individuals with an adjusted gross income up to $75,000 are eligible for the full $600 payment. The amount decreases and completely phased out at $87,000.
People who file taxes as heads of household and earn up to $112,500 are eligible for the full $600 payment. The payments phase out completely at $124,500.
Those who file jointly and earn up to $150,000 are eligible to receive a total of $1,200. Payments for married couples phase out at $174,000.
Any dependent child under age 17 will count for an additional $600.
If you’re still not clear on how much you will receive, then you can check one of the many calculators out there that will give you an exact amount bases on your income and family structure. Here’s one you can use.
Get My Payment
The Get My Payment tool is now available again as of Monday, offering a way to check on the $600 stimulus checks in the Covid-19 relief package passed last month. Use Get My Payment to:
- Confirm that we sent your second stimulus payment.
- Confirm your payment type: direct deposit or mail.
Data is updated once per day overnight, so there’s no need to check back more than once per day.
The first checks were sent almost immediately once the bill was signed by President Trump. The checks started being sent out electronically on Dec. 29, and the first paper checks, for those for whom the IRS does not have electronic banking information on file, began going out on Dec. 30.
On Tuesday, the IRS published a statement on the status of stimulus checks. It said that, “if Get My Payment shows ‘Payment Status #2 – Not Available,’ then you will not receive a second Economic Impact Payment and instead you need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 Tax Return.” The message on the GMP tool explains the reasons for the message as:
- We don’t have enough information yet (we’re working on this), or
- You’re not eligible for a payment.
What You Need to Do
If you haven’t received a payment yet, you don’t need to worry. IRS says that you do not need to take any action to get your payment. That is if you already filed taxes in 2019 or if you registered for the first payment online at IRS.gov using the agency’s “Non-Filers” tool, or if you submitted a simplified tax return that has been processed by the IRS.
You must have registered through that “Non-Filers” tool by Nov. 21, 2020. Now you can no longer do so. But, if you didn’t file a tax return and didn’t register with IRS last year, you are still eligible for a payment. When you file a 2020 Form 1040 or 1040SR you may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Save your IRS letter, Notice 1444 Your Economic Impact Payment, with your 2020 tax records. You’ll need the amount of the payment in the letter when you file in 2021.
