Relief check basics

What you should know about the payments

Americans are beginning to receive economic impact payments. The one-time payments were a part of a federal emergency relief package intended to combat the economic damage from the coronavirus. Here’s what to know:

1 Who gets paid? Any adult earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income who has a valid Social Security number will receive a $1,200 payment. Parents will also get payments of $500 for each eligible child.

The payment steadily declines for those who make more and phases out for those who earn more than $99,000. For married couples, both adults receive $1,200, with the phase-out starting at $150,000 of income and falling to zero for couples who earn $198,000.

For heads of household with one child, the benefit starts to decline at $112,500 and falls to zero at $136,500.

2 Who doesn’t get one? High-income filers are excluded, as is anyone without a valid Social Security number.

If someone can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return, such as an adult child or student, they will not get a payment. Nonresident aliens aren’t eligible.

3 What do I have to do to get one? For most people, nothing. Checks will arrive via direct deposit if a taxpayer included their banking information on their 2019 or 2018 tax return. Everyone else eligible will be mailed a check.

However, some Americans are not required to file a tax return.

The government ultimately decided Social Security recipients and railroad retirees won’t need to file a return to get the payment. Anyone else who also isn’t typically required to file taxes and does not receive Social Security will still need to file an abbreviated return to get the payment.

The IRS has a new tool on its website that allows these non-filers to more quickly register to get their check.

And for people who filed taxes for 2018 or 2019 but did not include direct deposit information, the IRS unveiled the “Get My Payment” app that allows them to add their bank information so their payment can be deposited.

4 When will I get it? Direct deposits have commenced and the Treasury said tens of millions of Americans will see those payments by April 15. It said paper checks will begin distribution later this month but has not committed to a date for this process to be complete. Although a memo from lawmakers earlier in the month said the process of mailing a paper check could take through August.

The IRS also said the “Get My Payment” app will allow taxpayers to track the status of their payment. It will also mail letters specifying the size of the payment and how it was delivered.

All payments will be made based on income, with lower-income individuals receiving payment first.