Dear Moneyist,
I’m in a long-term, live partnership. I got sick and had not been employed since 2016. My partner supported me 100% financially. He has claimed me as an addict for the past two years, including in 2018.
I read that I could receive one of the $ 1,200 COVID-19 exemption checks, which were first sent in April last year, if I filed a $ 0 income tax return for 2019. I filed a return on paper with my bank account information and, of course, postal address.
I’m still waiting.
What is my best chance of getting some of these exemption payments, either a past or future stimulus check? 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 applying for a stimulus check, even if I’m not working now?
Luanne
See also: Trump goes golf as a stimulus, defense spending bills left in jeopardy
Dear LuAnn,
The economic impact payment is actually a prepayment of a tax credit on your 2020 return. However, if you didn’t file a tax return before October 15, you’ll probably have to wait until 2021 for verification or incentive checks. .
The IRS uses 2019 tax returns to assess people’s incomes; The 2018 tax returns are used as Plan B, so if you submitted a return for 2019, you will receive the incentive check if you qualify based on that year’s return. With that in mind, you should receive a $ 600 incentive check now that President Trump has signed the $ 900 billion pandemic aid package into law, thus avoiding statewide closure.
If your spouse claims you as a dependent for 2018 and you file a zero-income 2019 tax return, you may receive the first $ 1,200 incentive check (again in 2021), but your spouse’s return for 2019 would be adjusted in consequence. Internal Revenue says phone support is “extremely limited” at this time, but you can find out more here.
The Moneyist:My boyfriend’s ex-wife claimed her two sons as dependents on her taxes and received their incentive checks, but they live with us.
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President Trump has signed the $ 900 billion pandemic aid package into law, avoiding government-wide closure.
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Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, low-income Americans had access to free personal tax preparation assistance from voluntary income tax assistance and tax counseling for the elderly, both of which were federally funded programs. However, many of the offices for 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 incentive 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 have received incentive checks automatically, it is estimated that 9 million Americans who have not yet received incentive checks generally earn less than $ 12,000 a year and usually do not file federal tax returns on income. Millions of other Americans are in your position and I greet you for overcoming your health challenges to work from home next year. Some economists believe that there will be opportunities for 15% of all jobs to have distance skills.
The Moneyist: I earned $ 100,000 in 2019, but much less in 2020. Why didn’t I get an incentive check? How is it correct?
You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions related to coronavirus at [email protected]
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