Information about the CARES Act Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)

Updated March 11, 2021. Originally posted April 6, 2020

IMPORTANT Notice: 

On March 11th, 2021 President Biden signed a the American Rescue Plan that included additional $1400 stimulus checks per eligible individual.

Learn more about the third payments and the American Rescue Plan here.

If you have questions about your stimulus payments, contact Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy by calling 980-202-7329.

Many people anticipate receiving the CARES Act’s Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks). Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy wants to make sure you have the information you need to know what to expect and how to get your payment.

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Anyone in need of other assistance from Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy can contact us by calling 704-376-1600 (Mecklenburg County), 800-438-1254 (Outside Mecklenburg County) or 800-247-1931 (Linea de Español).

Who is eligible for the payment?

Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment.

For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $80,000 and $160,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible. 

Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2020 or 2019 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,400 for individuals or $2,800 for married couples. Households also receive $1400 for each qualifying dependent. 

Will the IRS take my payment if I have outstanding IRS debts, federal student loans or other government debts?

No. As with second-round checks, third stimulus checks will not be reduced to pay child support arrears either. 

How will the IRS calculate my payment?

The American Rescue Plan provides that if your 2020 tax return is not filed and processed by the time the IRS starts processing your third stimulus payment, the tax agency will use information from your 2019 tax return. If your 2020 return is already filed and processed when the IRS is ready to send your payment, then your stimulus check eligibility and amount will be based on information from your 2020 return.  

If your 2020 return is filed and/or processed after the IRS sends you a stimulus check, but before July 15, 2021 (or September 1 if the April 15 filing deadline is pushed back), the IRS will send you a second payment for the difference between what your payment should have been if based on your 2020 return and the payment sent based on your 2019 return. 

Most people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the payment to those eligible. 

How will the IRS know where to send my payment?

The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on your tax return filed. 

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?

The IRS has an online portal, Get My Payment, for individuals to:

  • Check their payment status
  • Confirm their payment type: direct deposit or check
  • Enter their bank account information for direct deposit if the IRS doesn’t have their direct deposit information and the IRS hasn’t sent their payment yet

How to use Get My Payment

Taxpayers only need a few pieces of information to quickly obtain the status of their payment and, where needed, provide their bank account information. Having a copy of their most recent tax return can help speed the process.

For taxpayers to track the status of their payment, this feature will show taxpayers the payment amount, scheduled delivery date by direct deposit or paper check and if a payment hasn’t been scheduled. They will need to enter basic information including:

  • Social Security number
  • Date of birth, and
  • Mailing address used on their tax return.

Taxpayers needing to add their bank account information to speed receipt of their payment will also need to provide the following additional information:

  • Their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return submitted, either 2020 or 2019
  • The refund or amount owed from their latest filed tax return
  • Bank account type, account and routing numbers

Get My Payment cannot update bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery. To help protect against potential fraud, the tool also does not allow people to change bank account information already on file with the IRS. 

Is providing bank account information to the IRS when paying your tax filing liability good enough?

No, people who paid electronically are going to have to input deposit account information. Go to Get My Payment.

When will payments begin?

Taxpayers with direct deposit information on file with the IRS should see their payment in their bank accounts beginning the week of March 15, 2021, while others might have to wait up to five months to receive paper checks or pre-payed debit cards. 

What about taxpayers who don’t have bank accounts?

The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS are working with digital companies and prepaid debit card providers to ensure there are other avenues for those taxpayers get their money quickly. 

I receive SS/VA benefits and/or I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my payment?

Yes. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits (Social Security retirement, disability income (SSDI), supplemental income (SSI) or Survivors Benefits) or Veterans Affairs benefits (disability compensation, pension or survivors benefits) who didn’t file tax returns in 2020 or 2019 won’t need to file tax returns to receive their payments. 

They should receive the additional money just as they would their Social Security or VA benefits. The IRS will use the information provided by the Social Security Administration/VA OR the information you provided with the IRS’ Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info to generate the $1,400 Economic Impact Payments. Recipients will get their payment as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they normally would.

I am not typically required to file a tax return because I am low-income. Can I still receive my payment?

Yes. The IRS will use information you provided in the IRS’ Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info to send you your stimulus payment.

I have not filed my tax return for 2019 or 2020. Can I still receive a payment?

Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2019 or 2020 to file as soon as they can to receive a payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on the return. Visit IRS Free File

If I receive SSI or a VA pension will my payment be considered income?

Please note that the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs will not consider the payments as income, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.

What about taxpayers with Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs)?

Immigrants with ITINs are not eligible for the $1,200 payments. 

What about mixed-status families (SSN valid for employment and ITIN on the same tax return)?

You are eligible for a second stimulus payment for yourself and any dependents you claimed who also have Social Security numbers valid for employment, but not for your spouse. (Mixed-status families who did not receive the first stimulus payment due to the previous restrictions on spouses of people filing with ITINs will now be eligible to get that payment retroactively when they file their 2020 tax return. Read more here.)

I need to file a tax return. How long are payments available?

For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, these economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2021.

Does someone who has died qualify for the payment?

No. A payment made to someone who died before receipt of the payment should be returned to the IRS by following the instructions for repayments. Return the entire payment unless the payment was made to joint filers and one spouse had not died before receipt of the payment, in which case, you only need to return the portion of the payment made on account of the decedent. This amount will be $1,400 unless adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000.

Does someone who is incarcerated qualify for the payment?

Yes. They can claim the payment by filing a simple 2020 tax return. Read more here.

What should I do to return a payment?

You should return the payment as described below.

If the payment was a paper check:

  • Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
  • Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
  • Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
  • Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.

If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:

  • Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
  • Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP, and the taxpayer identification number (social security number,  or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
  • Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the payment

What if my spouse or ex-spouse took my payment in 2020?

If so, you may be able to claim your economic impact payment (EIP) as a credit or refund on your 2020 federal tax return.

In many abusive relationships the abuser controls the household’s money and finances. Although the survivor may have agreed to the filing of the tax return that the COVID relief payment was based upon, the abuser may have later refused to pay over the survivor’s share of the payment or the survivor cannot get the payment from the abuser without risking harm or abuse. In other situations, survivors may not have seen or signed the tax return that the COVID relief payment was based upon, or they were forced to sign the return under threats or duress.

IRS procedures outline a path for relief for survivors who believe their COVID relief payments were issued based on a tax return that was fraudulent, forged, or signed by the survivor under duress.

Unfortunately, the IRS has not created procedures for allowing a survivor to receive the Recovery Rebate Credit when both spouses agreed to file a married-filing-joint return, but the abusive spouse refused to pay over the survivor’s share of the COVID relief payment. Advocates for survivors of domestic violence have been working on this issue and continue to do so in an effort to find relief for survivors in this situation.

Follow these steps to receive your payment and get help

Where can I get more information?

The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.

The IRS has a reduced staff in many of its offices but remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive their payments expeditiously. Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather than calling IRS assisters who are helping process 2020 returns.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy launches new projects to support COVID-19 relief

The need is everywhere. That’s why we’re here.

Now more than ever, our community needs a champion to ensure equal access to justice for ALL during these challenging times. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is here to help anyone facing issues of safety, financial security and family stability during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Advocacy Center is still providing services in the areas of consumer protection, domestic violence, ex-offender re-entry, healthcare access, home preservation, immigration, income security and tax disputes, while working to ensure vulnerable populations, such as children, immigrants, people living with disabilities, seniors and veterans have the assistance they need during this critical time.

As needs continue to evolve, the Advocacy Center has been adapting its services to effectively serve the community, launching three new COVID-19 specific initiatives to help those in need:

Unemployment Insurance Assistance

Thousands of North Carolinians have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are seeking financial assistance through the state’s Unemployment Insurance Program.

The overwhelming volume of applications paired with implementing new assistance programs under the federal CARES Act has caused significant delays, making the process more confusing for applicants trying to apply.

The Unemployment Insurance Project helps people who have lost work due to COVID-19 understand their eligibility and navigate the application process to receive unemployment benefits.

While Advocacy Center staff cannot help applicants fill out the necessary paperwork, they can answer questions about the process.

How to apply for unemployment benefits:

Anyone needing assistance can call the Unemployment Insurance COVID-19 Response Project hotline, 980-256-3979 and leave a message to receive assistance in English or Spanish.

Learn more about the project.

Help Understanding the Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks) from the CARES Act

Many people anticipate receiving the CARES Act’s Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks) as additional financial support. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy wants to make sure they have the necessary information to know what to expect and how to get a payment.

Anyone with questions about how to get their payment or any other tax issues can contact our N.C. Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic by calling 980-202-7329 or filling out an online assistance request.

Check out our list of FAQs regarding the payments.

Watch our latest Facebook Live discussion on what people can expect as the government issues payments.

CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program Support for Local Non-Profits

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy recognizes the important role that our community nonprofits are playing in Coronavirus response while at the same time being heavily impacted by the pandemic. That’s why the Advocacy Center, along with its pro bono partners, is providing free assistance to help Charlotte-area 501(c)(3) organizations understand the process and apply to get federal aid.

The Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act made $350 billion available in small business loans. While most of this money has already been distributed, Congress will likely pass additional funding for small business loans as soon as this week.

Many 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible for these loans, and a significant portion of the loans to nonprofits can be forgiven if certain criteria are met. If you think your nonprofit organization may qualify for a loan and want help understanding the rules governing eligibility, repayment and forgiveness for the loan, we may be able to provide free legal advice for you.

Call Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy at 980-256-3791 for assistance.

Información sobre Pagos de Impacto Económico de la Ley CARES

Read in English
Muchas personas anticipan recibir los Pagos de Impacto Económico de la Ley CARES (por sus siglas en ingles). El Centro de Apoyo Legal de Charlotte quiere asegurarse de que las personas tenga la información que necesita para saber qué esperar y cómo obtener su pago.

Cualquier persona con preguntas adicionales sobre cómo obtener su pago puede comunicarse con nuestra Clínica de Impuestos para contribuyentes de bajos ingresos de Carolina del Norte llamando al 980-202-7329 o completando una solicitud de asistencia en línea.

Cualquier persona que necesite otra ayuda del El Centro de Apoyo Legal de Charlotte puede contactarnos llamando al 704-376-1600 (Condado de Mecklenburg), 800-438-1254 (Fuera del Condado de Mecklenburg) o al 800-247-1931 (Línea de Español).

¿Quién es elegible para el pago?

Los contribuyentes con ingresos brutos ajustados de hasta $ 75,000 para individuos y hasta $ 150,000 para parejas casadas que presenten declaraciones conjuntas recibirán el pago completo.

Para los declarantes con ingresos superiores a esos montos, el monto del pago se reduce en $ 5 por cada $ 100 por encima de los umbrales de $ 75,000 / $ 150,000. Los declarantes solteros con ingresos superiores a $ 99,000 y $ 198,000 para declarantes conjuntos sin hijos no son elegibles.

Los contribuyentes elegibles que presentaron declaraciones de impuestos para 2019 o 2018 recibirán automáticamente un pago de impacto económico de hasta $ 1,200 para individuos o $ 2,400 para parejas casadas. Los padres también reciben $ 500 por cada niño calificado.

¿El IRS tomará mi pago si tengo deudas pendientes del IRS, préstamos estudiantiles federales u otras deudas del gobierno?

No, pero el IRS tomará su pago en la medida necesaria para pagar las obligaciones de manutención infantil pendientes.

¿Cómo calculará el IRS mi pago?

Para las personas que ya presentaron sus declaraciones de impuestos de 2019, el IRS utilizará esta información para calcular el monto del pago. Para aquellos que aún no han presentado su declaración de impuestos para 2019, el IRS utilizará la información de su declaración de impuestos de 2018 para calcular el pago.

La mayoría de las personas no necesitan tomar ninguna medida. El IRS calculará y enviará automáticamente el pago a los elegibles.

¿Cómo sabrá el IRS dónde enviar mi pago?

El pago de impacto económico se depositará directamente en la misma cuenta bancaria reflejada en su declaración de impuestos presentada.

El IRS no tiene mi información de depósito directo. ¿Que puedo hacer?

En las próximas semanas, el Departamento del Tesoro de los EE. UU. Planea desarrollar un portal en línea para que las personas proporcionen su información bancaria al IRS en línea para que las personas puedan recibir pagos de inmediato en lugar de cheques por correo.

Esos contribuyentes podrían obtener sus pagos más rápidamente al proporcionar su información de depósito directo al IRS en una nueva aplicación que está en proceso. Esta aplicación será como la popular aplicación de la temporada de presentación “¿Dónde está mi reembolso?” Le permitirá a los contribuyentes ver dónde están sus fondos bajo esta nueva ley. El nuevo portal estará disponible pronto.

¿Cuándo comenzarán los pagos?

Los contribuyentes con información de depósito directo en el archivo del IRS deben ver su pago en sus cuentas bancarias a partir de la semana del 13 de abril, mientras que otros tendrán que esperar hasta cinco meses para recibir cheques en papel.

Los primeros cheques deben ir a los 60 millones de contribuyentes con información de depósito directo de sus declaraciones de impuestos de 2018 o 2019 en el archivo del IRS. Después de eso, a partir de la primera semana de mayo, el IRS emitirá aproximadamente 5 millones de cheques en papel por semana a hasta 100 millones de personas que no tienen información de depósito directo en el archivo, en un proceso que podría tomar hasta 20 semanas para completar.

¿Qué pasa con los contribuyentes que no tienen cuentas bancarias?

El Departamento del Tesoro de los EE. UU. Y el IRS están trabajando con compañías digitales y proveedores de tarjetas de débito prepagas para garantizar que haya otras vías para que los contribuyentes obtengan su dinero rápidamente.

Normalmente no estoy obligado a presentar una declaración de impuestos. ¿Todavía puedo recibir mi pago?

Si. Las personas que reciben beneficios de jubilación, discapacidad o sobrevivientes del Seguro Social que no presentan declaraciones de impuestos no necesitarán presentar declaraciones para recibir sus cheques.

Deberían recibir el dinero adicional tal como lo harían con sus beneficios del Seguro Social. El IRS utilizará la información en el Formulario SSA-1099 y el Formulario RRB-1099 para generar $ 1,200 Pagos de Impacto Económico a los destinatarios del Seguro Social que no presentaron declaraciones de impuestos en 2018 o 2019. Los destinatarios recibirán estos pagos como depósito directo o en papel verificar, tal como normalmente recibirían sus beneficios.

SIN EMBARGO: Algunos contribuyentes de bajos ingresos, personas mayores y personas con discapacidades que reciben Ingresos de Seguridad Suplementarios (SSI) y veteranos que reciben compensación y / o pensiones por discapacidad del VA que de otra manera no están obligados a presentar una declaración de impuestos deberán presentar una declaración simple para obteer su pago. IRS.gov/coronavirus pronto proporcionará información para instruir a las personas de estos grupos sobre cómo presentar una declaración de impuestos de 2019 con información simple, pero necesaria, que incluye su estado civil, el número de dependientes y la información de la cuenta bancaria de depósito directo.

El 4 de abril, TurboTax presentó un portal en línea donde los estadounidenses de bajos ingresos que no presentan una declaración de impuestos pueden enviar su información al IRS para recibir su pago de estímulo lo antes posible. Los no declarantes pueden proporcionar sus datos de depósito directo o dirección de correo y elegir cómo desean recibir su cheque de estímulo.

No he presentado mi declaración de impuestos para 2018 o 2019. ¿Todavía puedo recibir un pago?

Si. El IRS insta a cualquier persona con una obligación de presentar una declaración de impuestos que aún no haya presentado una declaración de impuestos para 2018 o 2019 a presentarla tan pronto como les sea posible para recibir un pago. Los contribuyentes deben incluir información bancaria de depósito directo en la declaración.

Si recibo SSI, ¿mi pago se considerará ingreso?

Tenga en cuenta que la Administración del Seguro Social no considerará los pagos como ingresos para los beneficiarios de SSI, y los pagos están excluidos de los recursos durante 12 meses.

¿Qué pasa con los contribuyentes con números de identificación fiscal individual (ITIN)?

Los inmigrantes con ITIN no son elegibles para los pagos de $ 1,200.

¿Qué pasa con las familias de estatus mixto (SSN válido para empleo e ITIN en la misma declaración de impuestos)?

Si un esposo, esposa o cualquier dependiente reclamado tiene un ITIN en lugar de un Número de Seguro Social, ningún miembro de la familia recibirá el pago (Excepción para aquellos que prestan servicios en los Servicios Armados).

Por supuesto, la pareja podría dejar a sus dependientes con ITIN fuera de su declaración de impuestos. Y presentar una declaración por separado puede ser una opción, sin embargo, la pareja puede perder otros créditos reembolsables, como el Crédito Tributario Adicional por Hijo y los créditos educativos, si lo hacen.

Necesito presentar una declaración de impuestos. ¿Durante cuánto tiempo están disponibles los pagos?

Para aquellos preocupados por visitar en persona a un profesional de impuestos u organización comunitaria local para obtener ayuda con una declaración de impuestos, estos pagos de impacto económico estarán disponibles durante el resto de 2020.

¿Dónde puedo obtener más información?

El IRS publicará toda la información clave en IRS.gov/coronavirus tan pronto como esté disponible.

El IRS tiene un personal reducido en muchas de sus oficinas, pero sigue comprometido a ayudar a las personas elegibles a recibir sus pagos rápidamente. Busque información actualizada en IRS.gov/coronavirus en lugar de llamar a los asistentes del IRS que están ayudando a procesar las devoluciones de 2019.