MOST Americans have already received their stimulus payments, but if you haven’t, there’s still a couple ways to get the cash.
The Federal government sent a historic amount of cash to American citizens during the pandemic lockdowns – to the tune of $931billion – a few people may have missed out on the funds.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has shared a report revealing why some payments are delayed.
Most folks received their stimulus checks by check or direct deposit while others received them in the form of prepaid debit cards.
Some actually mistook these cards as junk mail and threw them out.
The agency reported that tax nonfilers, first-time tax filers, mixed immigrant status families, and people experiencing homelessness had heightened difficulties with check receipt.
The report by TIGTA also said that manually verifying the stimulus claims and debit card policies has delayed the payments for as many as 10million people.
Who qualifies for stimulus money?
During the pandemic, the federal government issued three rounds of stimulus worth $1,200, $600, and $1,400, respectively.
For the third tranche, generally, citizens received a check if they filed a 2020 tax return and met the income restrictions.
The following information was needed for the return:
- Step 1: Full name, current mailing address and email address
- Step 2: Date of birth and valid Social Security number
- Step 3: Bank account number, type and routing number, if you have one
- Step 4: Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) you received from the IRS earlier this year, if you have one
- Taxpayers who previously have been issued an Identity Protection PIN but lost it, must use the Get an IP PIN tool to retrieve their numbers
- Step 5: Driver’s license or state-issued ID, if you have one
- Step 6: For each qualifying child during 2019: name, Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number and their relationship to you or your spouse
Filers cannot be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer and must have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less if single to claim the full stimulus payment.
Those making no more than $80,000 qualify for a reduced amount under the third stimulus round.
For heads of the household and those filing jointly, this threshold must not have exceeded $120,000 and $160,000 respectively.
Ways to claim
The easiest way to claim is by simply filing your taxes and claiming the Recovery Rebate credit.
However, not everyone needs to file and can use GetCTC tool, which is available for low-income Americans.
This applies to those who didn’t file a federal income tax return for 2019, 2020, or 2021 for any reason including:
- Your income is less than $12,200
- You’re married filing jointly and together your income is less than $24,400
- You have no income
Do not use this tool if you will be filing a 2022 return, if you received an extension, and filed before October.
This includes those who file a tax return to get a refund even though they are not required to file a tax return.
Using the tool instead of filing your 2022 return will slow down the processing of your tax return and receiving any tax refund.
Other payments you can claim using the tool
Additionally, by visiting GetCTC.org, you can claim the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit along with the third stimulus check.
To file for Child Tax Credit, you may e-file online.
To receive your payment, users must answer the questions provided truthfully and accurately.
Filling out the form only takes 15 minutes to complete.
If you would like to claim additional money with EITC, you may contact your employer for your W-2.
For the latest news on direct stimulus payments, check out The Sun’s live blog.
Plus, three new relief payments could be coming to Americans in 2023.
