Who Gets the Third Stimulus Check in 2021?

The third round of economic impact payments, also known as stimulus checks, have been rolling out to millions of Americans in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act With payments up to $1,400 per person, many are wondering – who gets the third stimulus check this time?

I’ll explain the eligibility requirements and payment details so you can find out if you and your family qualify.

Overview of the Third Stimulus Check

First, let’s go over some key facts on the third stimulus checks

• The payments are worth up to $1,400 per person, including dependents. So a family of 4 could get $5,600.

• The income thresholds are lower this time, meaning fewer high-income earners will qualify.

• dependents of any age now qualify, including college students, elderly parents, and disabled adults.

• Incarcerated individuals qualify if otherwise eligible.

• Mixed-status families with some citizens and some non-citizens also now qualify if they have SSNs.

The first stimulus checks were worth up to $1,200 and the second were worth up to $600. So this third round is the most generous yet.

Who Qualifies for the Full $1,400 Stimulus Check?

You qualify for the full $1,400 per person if your adjusted gross income (AGI) on your 2019 or 2020 tax return falls below these thresholds:

• Single filers: $75,000
• Head of Household filers: $112,500
• Married filing jointly: $150,000

The payments start phasing out above those AGI levels. So if you make up to $80k as a single filer, $120k as HOH, or $160k jointly, you’ll get a partial check.

If your income situation changed recently, filing your 2020 tax return now could help maximize your payment. The IRS bases eligibility on your latest processed tax return.

How to Get Payments for Dependents

One big change with the third stimulus checks is that all dependents now qualify for the $1,400 payments. This includes:

• Children under 17
• College students under age 24
• Elderly parents or grandparents
• Disabled adult dependents

However, the payments will be bundled with the adult filer’s payment. So you won’t get separate checks for child dependents.

To get the payments for dependents, make sure to claim them when you file your 2020 tax return. If you already have, the payments should come automatically based on that return.

If you share custody of a child, coordinate with the other parent to ensure you both don’t claim the same dependent.

Special Rules for Certain Groups

There are a few other groups with special rules for getting payments:

Incarcerated Individuals

Those who are incarcerated can qualify for stimulus checks if they meet the income requirements. Their checks will not be garnished for court-ordered fines or restitution.

Non-Filers and Those Who Don’t Owe Taxes

You can still get a check even if you don’t normally file taxes because your income is very low. The IRS urges non-filers to use their “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info” tool to submit basic information so they can issue payments.

Mixed-Status Households

Families with some citizens/residents and some non-citizen/non-resident family members now qualify. As long as one person has a Social Security number, the whole family can receive payments based on their household size.

Deceased Relatives

Unfortunately, payments cannot be issued to someone who died before January 1, 2021. The payment should be returned to the IRS.

Owing Child Support

If you owe child support, stimulus checks are not protected from garnishment like regular tax refunds. Child support collectors can garnish your stimulus payment.

How and When the Third Stimulus Checks Are Sent Out

The IRS started issuing the third round of payments in mid-March 2021. Here is how they are sending the checks:

• Direct deposit – For people who already provided bank account information on their 2019/2020 tax return or through the IRS non-filers tool.

• Paper checks – Mailed to the address provided on the latest tax return or to the address on file with the U.S. Postal Service.

• Debit cards – Economic Impact Payment debit cards are being mailed to those who don’t have bank information on file with the IRS.

To speed up delivery of your payment, signing up for direct deposit with the IRS is recommended.

Most payments will be sent automatically based on your tax returns. However, if you haven’t filed yet for 2019 or 2020, you may need to use the IRS non-filers tool to submit your information if you don’t plan to file tax returns.

What to Do if You Are Missing Payments

If you are eligible for stimulus checks but have not received any or all of the payments (first, second, or third round), you will need to claim the funds when you file your 2020 or 2021 taxes.

Here are the steps to take:

• For the first and second checks, claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return.

• For the third check, claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 tax return that you’ll file in 2022.

• Use the IRS Get My Payment tool or your IRS Online Account to find the amounts you already received, to calculate what credits you need to claim.

Claiming the credits will either increase your tax refund or lower your tax balance due. This way, you can get the full stimulus payments you qualify for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about the third stimulus checks:

Do dependents get their own checks?

No, dependents don’t get separate checks. Their payments are added to the adult’s check.

When is the deadline to qualify for a check?

The eligibility deadline is your tax return filing due date – April 15, 2022 for most filers. Payments are based on your latest processed tax return.

What if I had a child in 2021?

If you had a baby in 2021, make sure to claim your new child dependent on your 2021 tax return. This will qualify you for the $1,400 payment for that dependent.

What if someone has died since I filed my last tax return?

If your household size has decreased, you likely received an overpayment based on the earlier tax return. This does not need to be paid back to the IRS.

Do the checks need to be repaid or taxed later?

No, the stimulus payments do not need to be repaid and are not taxable income. If you qualify based on your tax returns, the payment is yours to keep.

Get Your Full Stimulus Payment in 2021

Make sure to file a 2020 tax return if you haven’t already so the IRS has your latest information. Claim any missing stimulus money when you file your taxes and the IRS will send those owed payments right over!