Coronavirus stimulus questions answered: Qualifications, schedule, prepaid card

We can help you check if the IRS has scheduled your payment, how you'll receive your payment and how much of the $1,200 stimulus money you'll receive. Here's what you need to know about the current round of stimulus payments the IRS is sending out. by Clifford Colby For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO website.

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ST. LOUIS, June.2, 2020 /MateFit/ -- To help a US economy knocked back by the coronavirus pandemic, Congress passed the $2 trillion CARES Act in March that included immediate financial support for US taxpayers in the form of stimulus checks up to $1,200 each. The sweeping economic rescue package also included aid for businesses, renters and people who are out of work.

Angela Lang/CNET

For many, the financial relief act raises complex questions about who qualifies, how much money they can actually expect, when they'll get their payment and what could be delaying the receipt of a check. The conversation around the relief package now also includes the possibility of a second stimulus check, for as much as another $1,200 per person.

We'll try to answer your common questions about how the stimulus check works, including:

Ten reasons why you haven't received your stimulus check yet and what to do if you didn't get your payment.
If you're eligible to receive a check and how much of the $1,200 amount you might be able to get.
How to use an EIP prepaid debit card if you receive one.
How to track your 2020 stimulus check if you don't see the money post in your bank account (some have experienced problems with the IRS' Get My Payment tool).
What to do if you're usually exempt from filing taxes or receive federal benefits.
CNET CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Keep track of the coronavirus pandemic.

If you're looking for more personal finance information, here are recommendations on how to spend the stimulus money, how coronavirus affects your rent payment and how else you can get financial relief during the outbreak.

What we know about another stimulus check from the IRS
As the US economy continues to weaken as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, pressure is building in Washington to approve another round of aid for individuals and families. The House of Representatives has already proposed a second stimulus package, and the Senate may start work on a package shortly, making a final decision in about a month. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated that it could be the last stimulus check, according to CNBC.

Details about the prospects for a second stimulus check are still developing, but we break down what the current proposal for another $1,200 check for individuals (maximum), extended relief for renters and unemployed people. We also outline arguments for an against the proposal and what could happen next.


Now playing: Stimulus Checks Helpline
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How many stimulus checks have been mailed so far?
As of the end of the end of May, the IRS said it has made more than 152 million payments and plans to continue sending checks through the end of the year to those who are eligible.

Do you have to pay taxes on your stimulus payment? Will it affect your refund next year?
No. You don't have to pay taxes on a stimulus payment you receive from the IRS. The IRS does not consider it income, and a payment you get in 2020 will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2020 tax return next year. It will also not count toward determining any benefits you receive from the federal government.

You can spend your stimulus money just like cash. The IRS will only reduce the payment to offset past-due child support.

How to use the Economic Impact Payment prepaid debit card
On May 18, the US Treasury said it is starting to send about 4 million prepaid debit cards called EIP cards. The Treasury said it's sending these cards instead of paper checks to some eligible US residents for whom the government does not have banking information. We've asked the Treasury for clarification on who gets a card versus a paper check.

The Treasury said you can use the card to make purchases, get cash from in-network ATMs and transfer funds to your personal bank account without a fee. You can also use the card at stores that accept Visa debit cards. Once you receive your EIP card in the mail, head to the EIP card page to set it up.

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As part of the 2020 stimulus package, you may meet the requirements for a payment from the federal government.

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Find the schedule for when you can expect your check
You can use the IRS Get My Payment to see a schedule for your payment. The US Postal Service also has a free service that can notify you when your check will arrive in the mail. You'll need to sign up for it.

When will the checks be completely paid out?
For those who expect to receive their payments through the mail, the IRS will have sent the bulk of the payments out by the end of June. The agency said it would sharply increase the number of checks mailed through that month. However, a smaller number of checks may continue to arrive through the end of the year.

If you want to receive your payment straight to your bank through direct deposit, however, the deadline to provide your banking detailing in the IRS Get My Payment portal has passed. Those who had previously provided the IRS with their banking info can still receive their payment through direct deposit.

The Social Security Administration said Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who didn't file a 2019 and 2018 return and who don't have a representative payee should have received their electronic payment from the IRS by May 13 by direct deposit or to their Direct Express card. For SSI recipients who receive their monthly SSI payment by paper check, the IRS began mailing checks on May 15.

Here's what we know about tracking your stimulus payment. If you moved since the last time you filed your taxes, here's where you can update your address with the IRS.

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Every little bit helps.

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How much stimulus money you get depends on your taxes
The total amount of your stimulus check will be based on your adjusted gross income, or AGI, from your 2019 federal tax filing or -- if you haven't filed this year -- your 2018 filing.

If you've filed your 2019 federal tax return, you can find that figure on line 8b of the 2019 1040 federal tax form. It's line 7 on the 2018 1040 tax form. If you haven't filed this year, don't worry. The US government has delayed the due date for 2019 taxes to July 15 as a result of coronavirus.


Here's who is eligible for a stimulus payment
The amount you'll receive will depend on your total income in 2019 or 2018. If you qualify, you'll receive one payment. Here's who qualifies:

If you're a single US resident and have an adjusted gross income less than $99,000
If you file as the head of a household and earn under $146,500
If you file jointly without children and earn less than $198,000
Read on for how your payment is calculated and how much you can expect. You can also look at this calculator from the Washington Post.

The IRS said someone who died before receipt of the payment, a non-resident alien or someone who is incarcerated does not qualify for a check. These payments need to be returned if received, the IRS said.


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How much you'll get as a single taxpayer
A single US resident must have a Social Security number and an AGI under $75,000 to receive the full amount of $1,200. The sum decreases as your AGI goes up. If your adjusted gross income reaches $99,000, you won't be eligible for the stimulus.

Heads of household
If you file as head of a household, you will get the full $1,200 payment if your AGI is $112,500 or less, with the amount decreasing until you reach $146,500.

Couples filing jointly
Married couples filing jointly without children with an adjusted gross income below $150,000 will get a $2,400 payment, decreasing to zero at $198,000.

For children
For each child aged 16 or younger in the family, parents will get a payment of $500. Parents will not receive a payment for children born, adopted or placed into foster care in 2020 because the payment is based only on information from your 2019 or 2018 tax return. The IRS said you may claim the child next year for an additional credit on your 2020 tax return. Older children and other dependents may not be eligible for a payment.

Coronavirus reopenings: How it looks as lockdowns ease around the world

If you haven't filed federal taxes for 2018, do that right now
The IRS said if you haven't filed your 2018 federal taxes, that could affect your stimulus check and urges anyone who hasn't filed a 2018 tax return to file now. Be sure to include direct deposit banking information on the return.

Read more: The best tax software for 2020: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer and more

If you're not typically required to file a tax return, you could still receive a payment
Many who normally are not required to file a tax return -- including senior citizens, Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients and railroad retirees -- will not need to file a simple tax return to receive the payment, the IRS said.

The IRS said recipients of Supplemental Security Income will automatically receive the full $1,200 economic impact payment, with no action needed on their part.

Others, including those who haven't filed a 2018 or 2019 return because they are under the normal income limits for filing a tax return, can use the Non-Filers portal to get their payment. To get started, go to the IRS' Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here site and tap the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here button. As part of the process, you'll enter personal information and, if you want to receive your stimulus check by direct deposit, banking information.

What about Social Security recipients?
The Treasury Department said that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive a payment. Instead, the IRS will use the information on Form SSA-1099 for Social Security beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019.

The IRS said automatic payments should already be arriving for recipients of Social Security, survivors or disability insurance benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits.

What about those who receive federal benefits and have children?
The IRS said those who receive federal benefits, have dependent children and weren't required to file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 needed to act by late April or early May to receive a full payment this year.

Without submitting this information by the due date, the IRS will give you $1,200 this year and the additional $500 per eligible child with your return filing for tax year 2020 -- roughly a year from now.

SSI and VA beneficiaries had until May 5 to update the IRS.

The update deadline for people who receive Social Security, survivor or disability, or Railroad Retirement benefits was April 22. The IRS said recipients in those groups have been scheduled to receive checks.

For more on how to use the Non-Filers tool, see the section above titled "If you're not typically required to file a tax return..." to learn more.

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Among other things, the stimulus checks aim to make it easier to put food on the table.

Angela Lang/CNET
The deadline has passed to set up direct deposit to have the check sent to your bank account
If you don't have direct deposit to your bank account set up, the deadline to provide your banking details in the IRS Get My Payment portal was May 13. Those who had previously provided the IRS with their banking info can still receive their payment through direct deposit. And you can still use the Get My Payment portal to check the status of your payment.

To avoid scams, the IRS cautions you not to provide your direct deposit or other banking information to others who offer to help you set up an electronic transfer.

Do you need to sign up, apply or request your check?
For most, the federal government will automatically send your check to you electronically or in the mail, if you qualify. If you've not filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, the IRS said you may need to file one to receive a payment. Scroll up to the section "If you're typically not required to file a tax return, you can still receive a payment" for details on who is required to file and how.

What to do if you don't receive your check
If you qualify for a payment, the IRS plans to mail you a letter about your payment to your last known address within 15 days after it sends the money. The IRS said the letter will provide information on how the IRS made the payment and how to report not receiving the payment if you don't get it. Several CNET readers, however, are reporting the letter does not include clear instructions for what to do if you don't receive the payment. We've asked the IRS for clarification.

Starting May 18, the IRS added 3,500 telephone representatives to help with potential problems regarding payments. The representatives won't be able to help with problems specific to your payment, however. CNET readers report being able to get through to the service and receiving help.

We have tips for how best to use your stimulus check and how to avoid being scammed. In addition to the economic stimulus package, the US government delayed the income tax filing deadline to July 15. If you need more help, here's how to get financial relief.

New movie calendar for 2020 and 2021 following coronavirus delays

First published on March 27, 2020 at 5:00 a.m. PT.

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What happens if my stimulus check never comes? Here's what you can do
Are you worried your payment went to the wrong address or bank account or is somehow just missing? You're not alone. Here's what to do.

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Still waiting for your stimulus check to arrive, you're not alone.

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For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO website.
If you've been waiting since the middle of April for your coronavirus stimulus check to show up, you might be wondering if your situation falls into a scenario that could legitimately delay your stimulus check. -- or if your check will even come at all.

If you're concerned that your payment has slipped through the cracks, we have some information that might help, including how to contact the IRS if your check never appears.

This story updates frequently with new information. If you're seeking additional personal finance information, we have suggestions for how to spend the stimulus money, how the coronavirus may affect your rent payment and other ways to get financial relief during the pandemic.


Watch this: Stimulus Checks Helpline
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First make absolutely sure you're eligible for a stimulus check
Before you go any further, just double-check that you meet one of the qualifications for a stimulus payment. The numbers below are based on your 2018 or 2019 taxes (whichever you filed most recently). Specifically, you'll need to know your AGI, or adjusted gross income, which you can find on your most recent 1040 federal tax form. For more questions about eligibility, like if you don't normally file taxes, we recommend looking at our guide to the stimulus check.

You're eligible to receive a stimulus check if:

You are a single US resident and have an AGI under $99,000.
You file as the head of a household (considered unmarried with at least one dependent) and earn less than $146,500.
You file jointly without children and earn under $198,000.
You are the parent of a child aged 16 or younger.
CNET CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Keep track of the coronavirus pandemic.


Did you check the IRS tracking tool, Get My Payment?
After determining that you're eligible, our first suggestion is to visit the IRS' online tool designed to track the status of a 2020 payment. Generally, it should tell you when your check will be processed and how you'll receive it (for example, as a paper check in the mail). If this Get My Payment portal isn't giving you information you understand or said your check is on the way and you haven't received it, you may need to eventually report the discrepancy to the IRS (more below).

You get a 'Need More Information' message from Get My Payment
If the Get My Payment tool gave you a payment date but you've still not received your money, the IRS may need more information for you. Check the Get My Payment tool again, and if it reports "Need More Information," it could indicate that your check has been returned because the post office was unable to deliver it, an IRS representative told CNET.

After you see the "Need More Information" message, the online tool will let you enter your banking information to receive your payment straight to your bank account. The IRS said If you don't provide your bank account information, it will hold your payment till it receives a current mailing address. Head to the IRS change-address page for how to update your address with the IRS.

Did you accidentally throw it away?
Four million people will receive their stimulus money on a prepaid debit card called the Economic Impact Payment Card instead of a paper check. The EIP Card arrives in a plain envelope, the IRS said, with "Money Network Cardholder Services" as the sender.

Some people, taking it for junk mail, may have mistakenly thrown these letters away. If you've misplaced or thrown away your card, the EIP Card service has an FAQ on what to do if your card is lost or stolen. You can also call (800) 240-8100 to request a free replacement, according the the Treasury Department. Press option 2 when prompted to request a new card.

The IRS may be waiting for you to file a form
If you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return or receive government benefits, the IRS should automatically send your check without you having to do anything.

If, however, you're a US citizen or permanent resident, had a gross income in 2019 under $12,200 -- or $24,400 as a married couple -- and didn't file a return for 2018 or 2019, you may need to give the IRS a bit of information before it can process your payment. Head to the Non-Filers site and see if the IRS needs something from you.

The IRS sent you a confirmation letter, but you haven't received your check
A handful of CNET readers report the IRS sent them a letter confirming their payment but they've not received their check.

"Last week I got a letter in the mail saying that I received my payment. But, no, I have not," a CNET reader reported after receiving the confirmation letter the IRS sends out 15 days after it sends the payment.

We asked the IRS how it will handle payments it reports have been sent but that people say are missing, and will update this story with the agency's response.

Coronavirus reopenings: How it looks as lockdowns ease around the world

The Get My Payment portal won't give you an update on your check status
Some people continue to get payment status error messages in the Get My Payment tool and a group has started an online petition asking the IRS for help. On the group's Facebook page, commenters report on the variety of possible reasons for the delay.

One person said the IRS told her her payment was under a 60-day review because of a problem with her direct deposit information. Another said the IRS told them their social security number doesn't match its records. The IRS has not responded to our questions about these possible errors and what information you should have onhand before you contact the IRS.

The IRS sent your check to a closed account
Your check may have bounced back to the IRS if it tried to send your payment to a now-closed bank account or to a temporary prepaid debit card a tax preparer set up for you. If your payment was returned to the IRS, the agency will mail your check to the current address it has on file for you.

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Are you still waiting for your stimulus check in the mail?

Sarah Tew/CNET
The federal government intercepted your payment
If you owe child support, the IRS can redirect your payment to cover past-due support. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service will send you a notice if this happens.

You didn't get the full amount you are owed
A different, but related, issue could be a change in your income in 2020. In some cases, the IRS may owe you more money than you received if the income figure it used to calculate your payment from your tax returns in 2018 or 2019 is less in 2020.

Likewise, if you now have a new dependent, such as a child, who is not reflected on your tax returns, you may be owed more money. In either case, the IRS said you can claim the additional amount on your 2020 tax return when you file next year. We recommend keeping a detailed record so you don't forget.


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3:54
Someone stole it from your mailbox or otherwise defrauded you
While it's uncommon, you may believe you've been scammed out of your payment or had it stolen. The Federal Trade Commission has a website where you can report a stolen stimulus check. We've asked the IRS what other recourse you have if this situation applies to you.

How to contact the IRS
Within 15 days after it sends out your payment, the IRS will mail you a letter confirming the payment. At the bottom of the letter is a number you can call for more information: (800) 919-9835.

Earlier this month, the IRS added 3,500 telephone representatives to help with potential problems regarding payments. The IRS help number is (800) 829-1040.

If you do reach out to the IRS over the phone, it's a good idea to give yourself plenty of time for the call. We wouldn't be surprised if call volumes are up, or if conversations take some time. It's also a smart idea to gather your information in front of you, like a copy of your most recent tax ID and the letter that the IRS sent, if you received one.

We've reached out to the IRS for more information about how to prepare for a call to a representative.

As you work to find the status of your money, here's what we know about a second round of stimulus checks, how best to use your stimulus check and how to avoid scams that target coronavirus fears.

Coronavirus reopenings: How it looks as lockdowns ease around the world

First published on May 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. PT.

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Senator calls for criminal investigation into Twitter over Iran sanctions
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz accuses the social media giant of violating American sanctions on Iran.

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May 29, 2020 11:45 a.m. PT
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Sen. Tex Cruz on Friday sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin calling for a criminal investigation into Twitter. Cruz alleges that the social media platform is "willfully violating American sanctions on Iran" by allowing Iranian leaders to maintain accounts on Twitter.

The news was earlier report by Axios.

In February, Cruz and other senators sent a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asking him to stop providing social media services to Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. The senators alleged that allowing the Iranian leaders to hold Twitter accounts violated sanctions prohibiting American companies from providing goods and services to Khamenei and his office.

In the letter Friday, Cruz called for the Department of Treasury and Department of Justice to investigate Twitter.

"When a company willfully and openly violates the law after receiving formal notice that it is unlawfully supporting designated individuals, the federal government should take action," reads the letter. "The cohesion and legitimacy of our laws rest on their equal application to all citizens and entities, no matter how large or how powerful."

Twitter declined to comment.

The letter from Cruz comes as Twitter is locked in a high-profile fight with President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order that aims to curtail legal protections that shield Facebook, Twitter and other online companies from liability for content posted by its users.

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Trump vs. Twitter: What you need to know about the free speech showdown
Twitter hides Trump's tweet for violating its rules about 'glorifying violence'

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First published on May 29, 2020 at 11:45 a.m. PT.

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Twitter hides Trump's tweet for violating its rules about 'glorifying violence'
The president strikes back at Twitter, saying the company is targeting him.

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Twitter has placed one of Donald Trump's tweets behind a label.

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The fight between President Donald Trump and Twitter took a fresh turn Friday, as the two locked horns over Trump's tweets about protests and riots in Minnesota.

Trump's latest ire was sparked by Twitter's decision to place one of his tweets behind a label stating that the content violated its rules about "glorifying violence." Rather than being deleted, the tweet is veiled by the label and can still be read by clicking on it.

"This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence," states the label, applied early Friday. "However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible."

Trump was tweeting about the protests and riots taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following the death of a black man named George Floyd in police custody on Monday. In the veiled tweet, Trump called the protesters "thugs" after threatening to send in the National Guard. "When the looting starts, the shooting starts," he said in the veiled tweet, which he posted overnight.

The official White House Twitter account on Friday morning reposted the hidden tweet in full. Twitter again placed the label over it. A Twitter spokesperson on Friday confirmed that it covered the identical tweet with a label because of the "historical context of the last line, its connection to violence, and the risk it could inspire similar actions today." That statement reiterated a tweet thread from the company's communications team account earlier Friday.


The phrase -- "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" -- definitely has "historical context." Miami Police Chief Walter Headley used the phrase in 1967, according to news reports at the time. The remark has been cited as contributing to tensions that sparked race riots in Miami in the late 1960s, according to The Washington Post.

Trump's tweet was widely condemned by rights organizations including Amnesty International and ACLU, as well as by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, who tweeted at Trump that he'd been "stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency."

The president struck back at Twitter on Friday in a tweet, claiming that the company is targeting him and reinforcing his earlier threat of regulation.


Donald J. Trump
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@realDonaldTrump
Twitter is doing nothing about all of the lies & propaganda being put out by China or the Radical Left Democrat Party. They have targeted Republicans, Conservatives & the President of the United States. Section 230 should be revoked by Congress. Until then, it will be regulated!

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All this comes amid escalating tensions between the company and the White House, following Twitter's decision earlier this week to apply a fact-checking label to another of Trump's tweets for containing "potentially misleading information" about mail-in voting ballots. On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order calling on the government to review a federal law that protects online companies from liability for content posted by users.


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2:03
Twitter's use of labels is part of its strategy to crack down on the spread of misinformation and other forms of harmful content, following pressure from governments worldwide to shoulder more responsibility for stemming the flow of false information.

Once a label has been applied to a tweet, it can no longer be liked, retweeted or replied to, although other Twitter users can retweet the original tweet with their own comment attached.

The San Francisco-based company explained in a tweet thread its decision to apply a "public interest notice" via its official Twitter Comms account on Friday. "We've taken action in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts, but have kept the Tweet on Twitter because it is important that the public still be able to see the Tweet given its relevance to ongoing matters of public importance," it added.


Twitter Comms
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@TwitterComms
· May 29, 2020
We have placed a public interest notice on this Tweet from @realdonaldtrump. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266231100780744704 …

Donald J. Trump
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@realDonaldTrump
Replying to @realDonaldTrump
....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!


Twitter Comms
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@TwitterComms
This Tweet violates our policies regarding the glorification of violence based on the historical context of the last line, its connection to violence, and the risk it could inspire similar actions today. https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/glorification-of-violence …


Glorification of violence policy
You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people. We also prohibit the glorification of violence.

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Critics of the social media company have claimed that by applying labels to tweets, Twitter is censoring free speech. Trump has previously accused social media sites of being biased against conservatives, and the White House launched a website that lets people report social media accounts they suspect of being banned due to political bias.

Representatives of the White House didn't respond to a request for comment.

First published on May 29, 2020 at 1:21 a.m. PT.