The IRS on Monday alerted those with dependents who receive government benefits to “act now” in order to receive an additional $500 per dependent as part of the government’s stimulus checks that most Americans are receiving.
The IRS said that those who do not file their dependents’ information by noon ET Wednesday will have to wait and would be paid in association with a tax return filing for tax year 2020.Beneficiaries will still receive a $1,200 check automatically in the same manner they receive their benefits.
Monday’s alert affects those receiving Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs benefits.
In order to receive the added $500 per dependent, beneficiaries will need to use a special IRS tool (click here) for non-tax filers.
"We want to 'Plus $500' these recipients with children so they can get their maximum Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 plus $500 for each eligible child as quickly as possible," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "They'll get $1,200 automatically, but they need to act quickly and register at IRS.gov to get the extra $500 per child added to their payment. These groups don't normally have a return filing obligation and may not realize they qualify for a larger payment. We're asking people and organizations throughout the country to share this information widely and help the IRS with the Plus $500 Push."
The IRS said it projects that beneficiaries will receive their stimulus check by early May.
As a reminder, here is who is eligible for a stimulus check:
- $2,400 – Couples earning less than $150,000 a year (couples earning $150,000 - $198,000 will receive a prorated check).
- $1,200 – Individuals earning less than $75,000 a year (individuals earning $75,000 - $99,000 will receive a prorated check).
- $1,200 – Heads of households earning less than $112,500 (heads of households earning $112,500 - $136,000 will receive a prorated check).
- $500 - Each dependent child age 16 or under as of Dec. 31, 2019 (for qualifying individuals and couples).
Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk.
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