Do I Qualify for the First Stimulus Check?
Congress approved a second and third round of stimulus checks for continued COVID relief. Learn more about the second stimulus check and the third stimulus check.

If you meet the following four requirements, you likely qualify for the first stimulus check.

1. Income Limits: If you are filing as single with an adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $75,000, married filing jointly with an AGI up to $150,000, or head of household with an AGI up to $112,500, you will receive the full payment. Above these income limits, the payment amount decreases 5 percent for every additional $100 of income up to $99,000 for a single adult, $136,500 for head of household, and $198,00 for a married couple.

If you have zero income you can still get the payment.

2. Dependency: You cannot be claimed as someone else’s dependent on a tax return. There is no age requirement for the stimulus check. Children must be under 17 to get the additional payment for them.

3. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): At least one tax filer must have a valid Social Security number (SSN). If you are married filing jointly, and one spouse has an SSN and one has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), the spouse with an SSN and any children with SSNs or an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) can get the payment. (Children with ITINs don’t qualify for payments.) If one spouse is an active member of the military, then both spouses are eligible for a stimulus check even if only one spouse has an SSN and the other spouse has an ITIN.

The COVID relief legislation passed in December 2020 modified this requirement. Previously, a valid SSN was required to receive a check. If you were married filing jointly, both spouses needed to have SSNs (one for military). If one spouse had an ITIN, then both spouses were ineligible for the stimulus check. For married military couples, the spouse with an SSN could still get the stimulus check for themselves but not the other spouse with an ITIN. To learn more about the stimulus and ITINs, see: Are immigrants eligible for the stimulus check?

If you were denied your first stimulus payment because you or your spouse did not have an SSN, you can claim your first stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on your 2020 tax return.

4. Citizenship or Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying resident alien. 

Will I get an Economic Impact Payment for my child?

You will receive an additional $500 per qualifying child. A qualifying child must be related to you (by blood, marriage, or adoption), under the age of 17, live with you for over half the year, have an SSN or ATIN, and be claimed as your dependent. These are the same qualifying rules as for the Child Tax Credit.

Can I get an Economic Impact Payment if I am incarcerated?

Yes, you are eligible if you meet all other requirements. Read about how you can get your stimulus check if you are incarcerated.

What if I owe child support payments, owe back taxes, or student loan debt?

If you are overdue on child support, you could see your stimulus check reduced or eliminated based on the amount you owe. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service will send you a notice if this happens.

Your payment will not be interrupted if you owe back taxes or have student loan debt; you will receive the full amount.

If you use direct deposit and owe your bank overdraft fees, the bank may deduct these from your payment.

 

Read through What to know about the Stimulus Checks for a comprehensive guide to getting stimulus checks.


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