Second stimulus checks are coming. But some people could be surprised to find out they may not be eligible for the money this time around.
The latest coronavirus relief deal from Congress includes $600 stimulus checks per person, half of the $1,200 payments that went out earlier this year.
Married couples who file jointly stand to receive $1,200, while eligible children will receive $600.
Full payments will go to individuals with up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income, heads of household with up to $112,500 and married couples under $150,000.
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The payments are gradually reduced for people with incomes above those levels.
The new payments will be reduced at the same rate as the CARES Act checks. However, the caps are lower because the payments are less.
Individuals with $87,000 in income and married couples who file jointly earning $174,000 will not receive any payment.
In contrast, the first stimulus checks sent out earlier this year were reduced to zero for individuals with $99,000 in adjusted gross income and $198,000 for married couples who file jointly.
Consequently, fewer people will qualify for reduced payments.
Another segment of the population who won’t see checks: adult dependents.
The CARES Act authorized payments for children under 17. While some Washington lawmakers had pushed to include dependents of all ages, that change was not included in this legislation.
Children who do qualify will get bigger payments this time, $600 rather than $500.
How the payments will be sent
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Eligibility for the payments will be determined by 2019 tax returns.
People who used the IRS non-filer tool this year because they do not typically file tax returns will also receive the money.
Payments are also set to be sent to federal beneficiaries, such as those who receive income from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income or the Department of Veterans Affairs, even if they did not file 2019 returns.
As with the stimulus checks sent through the CARES Act, you will still need a valid Social Security number in order to be eligible.
This time, however, a spouse who has a Social Security number who files jointly with a spouse who does not will still receive their own $600 check. Their children may also qualify, provided they have Social Security numbers of their own.
The payments also will be protected from garnishment by banks or levies by debt collectors.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
