Dear Moneyist,
I am in a long-term partnership. I got sick and haven’t worked since 2016. My partner has given me 100% financial support. He claimed me as a dependent for the last two years, including 2018.
We read that you could receive one of the $ 1,200 COVID-19 relief checks that were first sent last April if you filed a $ 0 income tax return for 2019. I filed a paper return with the my bank account information and of course my email address.
I’m still waiting.
What is my best chance of getting anything out of these aids, be it past or future stimulus control? If I could afford a new computer, I now feel good enough to work from home. Do you think I’ve taken the right approach to requesting a stimulus check, even though I’m not working now?
LuAnn
See also: Trump is going to play golf as a stimulus, as defense spending that stays within reach
Dear LuAnn,
The economic impact payment is effectively an advance payment of a tax credit on your 2020 return. However, if you didn’t file a tax return by October 15, you’ll likely have to wait until to 2021 to get your controls or stimuli.
The IRS uses 2019 tax returns to assess people’s income; The 2018 tax returns are used as Plan B, so if you filed a return for 2019, you will get your incentive check if you meet the requirements under this year’s return. With that in mind, you should receive a $ 600 stimulus check, now that President Trump has signed into law the $ 900 billion pandemic assistance package, thus avoiding a government-wide shutdown.
If your husband claimed you as a dependent during 2018 and you file a zero-income 2019 tax form, you may receive the first $ 1,200 stimulus check (again, in 2021), but the return your husband’s 2019 would adjust accordingly. The Internal Revenue Service says telephone support is “extremely limited” at this time, but you can learn more here.
The Moneyist:My boyfriend’s ex-wife claimed her two children as dependents on her taxes and received her stimulus checks, but they live with us
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President Trump has signed into law the $ 900 billion pandemic assistance package, thus preventing a government-wide closure.
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Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, low-income Americans had access to free in-person tax preparation assistance from voluntary income tax assistance and tax advice for seniors, both programs funded by the federal government. However, many of the offices of these programs have closed or are operating with limited capacity due to the pandemic.
To date, the IRS has distributed checks to more than 160 million Americans as part of the $ 2 trillion CARES Act stimulus package. Payments amount to $ 1,200 for people earning up to $ 75,000. Married couples earning less than $ 150,000 received $ 2,400. The program was structured as a tax refund, so the IRS needs people to file a tax return.
Unlike most Americans who received their stimulus checks automatically, it is estimated that 9 million Americans who have not yet received their stimulus checks earn mostly less than $ 12,000 a year and typically they do not file federal income tax returns. Millions of other Americans are in your position and I greet you for overcoming your health issues to work from home next year. Some economists believe there will be opportunities for 15% of all jobs to have remote skills.
The Moneyist: I earned $ 100,000 in 2019, but much less in 2020. Why didn’t I get a stimulus check? How is it fair?
You can email The Moneyist with any ethical and financial issues related to coronavirus at [email protected]
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