Fourth stimulus check news summary: Monday 26 April
US stimulus checks live updates: Monday 26 April
Headlines:
- In its most recent update, the IRS revealed it had sent out 161m third stimulus checks, at a total cost of $379bn
- A further 700,000 'plus-up' stimulus checks have been paid out, the IRS said (full story)
- President Joe Biden urged to support more direct payments as part of 'Build Back Better' plan (who backs a fourth stimulus check?)
- Could a fourth stimulus check be the biggest yet? (Full story)
- Calls for temporarily expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) to be made permanent (find out more about the CTC)
- President Biden may include CTC extension in American Families Plan proposal
- $600 stimulus checks are going out in California as part of Golden State Stimulus (when can I expect my check?)
- You can track your third stimulus check by visiting the IRS' Get My Payment portal
- Stay across all the US vaccine news (live blog)
- US covid-19: 32.08 million cases / 572,226 deaths (live updates from Johns Hopkins University)
Scroll through some of our related articles:
'Call the police if a child is wearing a mask' - Carlson takes the fight somewhere dark
In a further attempt to stoke hate and divide a nation, Fox News' Tucker Carlson has gone on yet another angry rant, using mistruths and twisting facts to suit his agenda.
Damir Marusic suggests that the reason for some of his ludicrous suggestions is simply that the political right’s only response is to downplay the President Biden's successful vaccine rollout and expeected 'economic boom fueled by pent up demand and massive stimulus'.
As always, take advice from scientists and experts, not a TV shock jock.
How many batches of stimulus checks have been sent?
The IRS continues to work on distributing the third round of stimulus checks and have now begun issuing additional stimulus payments known as 'plus-up' payments. These batches are sent out on a weekly basis to all those Americans whose total amount of the third stimulus check was based on their 2019 tax return, but who, thanks to the already processed 2020 return, are eligible for a larger payment.
At this point the vast majority of stimulus checks have been sent out the eligible Americans, but how many have been sent out in total? Here's the latest update from the IRS, along with the state of play on the fourth stimulus check.
Child Tax Credit eligibility remains a bone of contention
The new-look Child Tax Credit will mark a sharp departure from the previous system when it is introduced in July, for a number of reasons. A key one centres around the removal of the low income threshold to allow full entitlement. In the past, you had to pay a certain amount in taxes to receive the whole lot.
Biden's new programme removes that bottom limit but it is proving difficult to find support for making his system a permanent one. Democrats in Congress are currently pushing for the 12-month programme to be extended but are facing GOP oppostion.
Hawley tables his own Child Tax Credit proposal
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley has announced details of his own proposal to extend the Child Tax Credit (CTC) programme was included in the American Rescue Plan. President Biden's stimulus package included 12 months of support with no minimum income threshold for the support. The programme is due to expire in July 2022 unless an extension is agreed.
Biden's CTC removed the minimum income threshold that prevented low earners from receiving the full amount, some that Hawley wants to reverse. Hawley's proposal would see only parents who hit a minimum earnings requirement of $7,540 (roughly 20 hours of work per week at the federal minimum wage) able to receive the full maount.
You most likely got a tax cut with Biden’s stimulus package
Politico - Everyone knows that Democrats want to raise taxes on the rich, but what hasn’t gotten nearly as much notice is how much they’ve cut them for most everyone else — substantially more than Republicans did in the first year of their 2017 tax overhaul.
New estimates by Congress’s official forecasters show Democrats’ tax cuts — included in their March stimulus package — will drive down tax rates on low- and middle-income people so much this year that those earning less than $75,000, on average, will owe nothing in federal income taxes.
Read about the tax cuts from the American Rescue Plan at Politico
Third stimulus check: will there be a bonus payment?
The IRS is distributing supplementary stimulus checks, known as 'plus-up' payments, to qualifying Americans, and revealed late last week that a further 700,000 such checks were sent out as part of the latest batch of third Economic Impact Payments.
Full story: IRS sends out another 700,000 'plus-up' payments
Will $3,600 Child Tax Credit arrive with third stimulus or fourth?
President Joe Biden will address a joint session of Congress 28 April where he is expected to announce the third part of his Build Back Better. Despite lawmakers urging to make the changes to the Child Tax Credit for 2021 permanent as part of the new spending and tax package, they may have to settle for a temporary extension.
What are Congress’ mortgage stimulus programmes?
Throughout the pandemic the federal government has introduced legislation aimed at easing the financial impact of the covid-19 pandemic. Homeowners who are dependent on a stable household income to cover mortgage payments are particularly vulnerable in a struggling jobs market.
The CARES Act, passed in March 2020, offered the first major assistance to those struggling to cover mortgage payments due to either a loss of income or illness. The stimulus package included a year of mortgage assistance programmes, which was then extended by the Biden administration.
Stimulus money to go toward affordable housing in Twin Cities metro
Ramsey County, home to St. Paul, Minnesota, is about to become flush with cash, and the board members are making plans to spend it. The county stands to receive just under $108 million from funding earmarked for state and local governments in the American Rescue Plan. Board members are poised to funnel support toward their top priority: providing affordable housing to Ramsey County residents.
Who is opposed to a fourth stimulus check?
More than 70 Democratic lawmakers have made their support for more direct payments public since January. With various efforts gaining traction in the House and prominent Senate Democrats sending a letter to President Biden urging him to consider the matter, the discussion on a fourth stimulus check is back on the table.
However, the proposal will still face strong head winds over the cost of such a measure.
Explanation on where stimulus check money comes from
Sahil Bloom, vice president of Altamont Capital Partners, spoke to CNBC about how the federal government gets the money to send out stimulus checks.
House Democrats push to make enhanced Child Tax Credit permanent
Democrats passed a one-year expansion of the child tax credit as part of their $1.9 trillion relief bill in March. The benefit provides up to $3,600 per child for 2021 depending on the age of each child. Monthly direct payments from the credit are scheduled to start going to families in July through the end of the year.
Now though, a group of House Democrats have introduced a bill to permanently expand the child tax credit. They want to see it as part of the Biden administration’s recovery plan which could complicate the passage of the bill in the Senate.
Clock is ticking to send states and local governments stimulus money
States and local governments are waiting for guidance from the US Treasury on how they can spend the money from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act dedicated to them. And the federal government has a tight deadline to start distributing the $350 billion allocated for states, municipalities, counties, tribes, and territories to help repair their coronavirus-damaged budgets and economies.
"The clock is certainly ticking. They have to get the money out the door by May 10," said Mark Ritacco, government affairs director at the National Association of Counties told Reuters.
Fourth stimulus check: who is in favor of its approval?
It appears that consensus among Washington Democrats may be shifting towards support for the payment of a fourth stimulus check.
Support from members of the House of Representatives has been steady throughout the pandemic. In January, Ilhan Omar led an effort with support from over 50 House Democrats calling on President Biden to advocate for recurring payments stating:
“A one-time payment of $2,000 is simply not enough. The American people are counting on us to deliver transformative change, and we need to meet the moment by delivering monthly payments of $2,000.”
Biden 100 days in office 200 million shots, $1,400 stimulus checks and more
President Joe Biden will address a joint session of Congress 28 April where he can report that the mission his administration embarked on has been a success. His party pushed through a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan almost unscathed despite no Republican support.
The bill included a third round of stimulus checks for $1,400 and an enhanced Child Tax Credit. The latter will see families with children receiving more rounds of direct payments in July through the end of the year.
He also surpassed his initial goal of 100 million covid-19 shots administered, doubling that number. Currently, over 28 percent of the population is fully vaccinated against covid-19.
$600 Golden State stimulus check: who qualifies in California?
One of the provisions agreed to in a state-wide stimulus bill passed in California in February was a $600 direct payment to residents who had been hit hard by the pandemic.
At the time of the bill’s passing, California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that 5.7 million payments would be made to low-income Californians.
Full details on who qualifies for a Golden State Stimulus payment
See also: When will my Golden State Stimulus payment arrive?
Sen. Ossoff's stimulus check FAQs session with White House economic adviser
Earlier this month, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff held a stimulus checks FAQs session with Bharat Ramamurti, who is the deputy director of the White House National Economic Council.
Ramamurti goes through the basic, essential information people need to know about the third round of checks - eligibility requirements, etc - and gives advice on what to do if, for example, your address has changed and you need to notify the IRS so it can send you your payment.
Listen to Senator Ossoff’s conversation with Bharat Ramamurti:
IRS $3,000 child tax credit: when will the monthly payments begin?
The monthly payments distributed to qualifying parents as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit are due to begin in July.
Full details on the scheme's roll-out
If you're unsure how much you're eligible for, check out this Child Tax Credit calculator
ICYMI: First came “stimmy”, and now… “Joe-Joe bucks”
According to Washington Post reporter Jeff Stein, the stimulus check is now also being referred to as “Joe-Joe bucks”, in reference to President Joe Biden, whose $1.9tn American Rescue Plan included a third round of direct payments.
Would the fourth stimulus check be taxed by the IRS?
Since the first three stimulus checks have been tax credits paid in advance, the IRS has not considered them as taxable income - and logic dictates that the same would go for a hypothetical fourth Economic Impact Payment.
What ID can I use to cash stimulus checks?
If you want to cash your stimulus check you can do so at banks even where you are not an account holder or member, but you will need to bring ID.
700,000 more 'plus-up' payments sent out last week
In a statement posted on its website on Thursday, the IRS said it had distributed another 700,000 ‘plus-up’ payments, worth around $1.2bn overall, in the latest batch of third stimulus checks to be distributed.
The IRS added that it will continue to send out stimulus checks, including ‘plus-up’ payments, "on a weekly basis".
According to the agency, it has so far distributed around 161 million third stimulus checks, with a total value of over $379bn.
Third stimulus check: how to check its status with the IRS Get My Payment tool
A reminder that you can use the IRS' Get My Payment portal to track the status of your third stimulus check if it hasn't arrived yet.
How many batches of stimulus checks have been sent?
The IRS continues to distribute the third round of stimulus checks to Americans as part of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the latest relief package to help with the coronavirus pandemic.
So far - up to 25 April - the agency has sent out six batches of stimulus checks pertaining to this third payment. With this, the government agency has paid out money to over 161 million Americans, which equates to a total of $379 billion in economic assistance.
Third stimulus check: IRS FAQs page
If you have unresolved queries about the third stimulus check, you may find that the IRS can provide the answer to your question in its FAQs section dedicated to the $1,400 Economic Impact Payment.
Have a look at the IRS’ question and answers page on the third Economic Impact Payment
(Image: www.irs.gov)
Avoiding stimulus-check scams: IRS video tips
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has put together a set of video tips on how you can avoid falling victim to scammers' attempts to capitalize on confusion about stimulus checks to steal your money or your personal information.
Check out the FTC's 'Avoid Economic Impact Payment Scams' videos
ICYMI: Report says two more stimulus checks would lift another 12m out of poverty
According to a report published by the Economic Security Project earlier this month, the United States’ 2021 poverty rate would be reduced by a further 12 million were Americans to receive another two rounds of stimulus checks.
Noting that President Joe Biden’s $1.9tn American Rescue Plan, which included a stimulus check of up to $1,400, has helped to bring the number of people in poverty in the US this year down from 44 million to 28 million, the Economic Security Project says its research has found that one more direct payment would cut this figure further to 21 million, while another one on top of that would see it fall to 16 million.
“Cash has been a lifeline for Americans during this crisis, and will continue to be as long as the crisis continues,” the Economic Security Project’s report reads.
“But the work ahead is ensuring that the most unequal recession in modern history isn’t followed by the most unequal recovery. Going forward, policymakers must prioritize policies that reach everyone who needs help - especially the low-income households and households of color who the data show are still struggling to get back to baseline. And the relief and stimulus must continue until the recovery reaches every community in every part of the country.
“After one year of and three rounds of direct payments, the research shows that cash gets the most help to the most people who need it, stimulating the economy and shortening the recession.”
Fourth stimulus check: will the new relief bill have bigger payments if approved?
As calls for further direct payments grow, we take a look at how much you could get if a fourth stimulus check is approved.
What do the paper stimulus check and EIP Card look like?
If you're expecting your stimulus check to arrive in the post and want to make sure you know what to look out for, check out the pictures and explanations in this AS English article from late last month.
Stimulus checks among mail not reaching DC residents
Postal-service delays in the Carver-Langston area of Washington, DC are seeing residents go without mail - including third stimulus checks.
Latoya Moore, Carver-Langston’s advisory neighborhood commissioner, told WTOP: “Elderly and senior residents, they don’t use electronic mail to pay their bills [or] read email, they do everything by postal service because that’s what they’re accustomed to doing.
“Stimulus checks, child support checks, credit card statements … we have seniors who have not received medication.”
While most stimulus checks have been distributed by direct deposit, many have also been sent out by regular mail, in the form of paper checks or prepaid debit cards.
Indeed, in the latest batch of third stimulus checks paid out by the IRS last week, over half - 1.1m out of 2m - were distributed by mail rather than direct deposit.
Florida unemployment benefits work search requirement: how it works
New requirements may be implemented for those seeking unemployment benefits in Florida.
IRS plus-up payment: what is it, how much is it and who gets it?
The IRS is sending out 'plus-up' payments to Americans who have already received their third stimulus check but now qualify for a larger check based on their recently-processed 2020 tax return.
47% of Americans feel third stimulus check should have been bigger - poll
Around half of America believe the third stimulus check should have been larger, according to the results of a poll conducted by the Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis.
47% of respondents to the survey said they felt the $1,400 maximum figure was not big enough, while 38% said it was the right amount and 15% said the direct payment should have been smaller.
Asked how they were using their stimulus check, 34% of respondents to the survey said their direct payment had gone towards “mortgage, rent, food, car, and credit card expenses”, while the next-highest percentage, 23%, said they have saved their payment. 17% said they had spent their check on "other expenses".
Full report: What Americans Think of the Recovering Economy
Fourth stimulus check: will it be approved and sent in May?
As the IRS wraps up sending out the third batch of coronavirus stimulus checks, the question of whether or not Americans can expect more direct payments remains.
The likelihood of further stimulus checks being passed by Congress in May is low, but that does not mean that more checks are out of the question for future legislation.
Unemployment benefits: What state has the best payments?
The answer to this question depends heavily on what you define as “best.” We explore three factors: size of the benefit, cost of living, and eligibility period to compare benefits across the states.
US unemployment benefits federal tax waiver: how to claim
As part of President Biden's $1.9tn covid-19 relief package, qualifying Americans will get a tax break on the first $10,200 of unemployment compensation they received last year.
Child Tax Credit calculator
Forbes Magazine has created a useful calculator that allows parents to work out how much they are entitled to as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit, which sees qualifying households get up to $3,600 per child over a 12-month period.
Third stimulus check: how many people are still waiting for it?
The IRS said on Thursday that another two million third stimulus checks, at a total value of $3.4bn, had done out in its latest payment run - the sixth since the round of $1,400 checks was approved as part of President Joe Biden's $1.9tn coronavirus relief package.
According to the agency, third stimulus checks will continue to go out "on a weekly basis".
What could be the tax rate in the new economic package according to Biden?
President Joe Biden is due to present his American Families Plan this week. To pay for the social spending bill, tax increases on the wealthy are being proposed.
Covid vaccine in the US - live updates: J&J pause lifted, side effects, locations, My Turn...
While stimulus funding through the American Rescue Plan has included a variety of financial support measures for the nation, another key promise from Presdient Joe Biden was that he would deliver a coordinated and effective vaccination program.
The combined efforts will get us through this pandemic.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on vaccines with our live blog
Recovery Rebate Credit: claiming your missing stimulus check
If you qualified for the first or second stimulus check but didn’t receive it, you can get it by claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 tax return.
This credit also applies to taxpayers who got their stimulus checks, but didn’t receive the full amount they were eligible for.
IRS info sheet on claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit
Recovery Rebate Credit: video expainer
The IRS has also put together this video explaining how you can claim your missing stimulus check:
$1,400 third stimulus check: what is "IRS TREAS 310 - TAX EIP3"?
When the third stimulus check lands in the bank accounts of direct-deposit recipients, it appears with the identifying reference "IRS TREAS 310 - TAX EIP3" (or something along those lines).
IRS $3,000 child tax credit: when will the monthly payments begin?
The IRS has been tasked with setting up an online portal for the expanded Child Tax Credit and begin disbursing monthly payments by July.
As part of the temporarily-enhanced scheme, which sees qualifying parents get up to $3,600 per child over a 12-month period, recipients can opt to be paid the credit in a lump sum next year, or get half their total amount in monthly instalments between July and December.
Last week, a group of six lawmakers continued Democratic congressionals’ calls for the expanded Child Tax Credit to be made permanent, releasing a statement urging Congress to capitalize on a “historic opportunity” to reduce child poverty in the US.
The statement, signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA),and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), read: “Expansion of the Child Tax Credit is the most significant policy to come out of Washington in generations, and Congress has an historic opportunity to provide a lifeline to the middle class and to cut child poverty in half on a permanent basis. No recovery will be complete unless our tax code provides a sustained pathway to economic prosperity for working families and children. Permanent expansion of CTC will continue to be our priority.”
President Joe Biden reportedly backs extending the scheme, but only through to 2025.
$600 Golden State Stimulus check: how to track your payment
As part of a $9.6bn stimulus bill passed in February, California is sending out $600 payments to qualifying residents of the state.
Find out when you can expect your Golden State Stimulus payment to arrive
See also: Who qualifies for a Golden State Stimulus payment?
Look out for your Notice 1444-C after receiving third stimulus check
After you receive the third stimulus check, the IRS will send you a letter confirming your payment. Known as a Notice 1444-C, it will arrive “later this year”, the agency says.
“This letter should be kept with tax year 2021 records,” the IRS notes.
More info on the Notice 1444-C, and other stimulus check-related correspondence you might receive from the IRS.
How many batches of stimulus checks have been sent?
The distribution of the third Economic Impact Payment continues across the US, but how many batches of stimulus checks have actually been sent out?
Third/fourth stimulus checks: every AS English article
In our dedicated stimulus checks section, you'll find a host of articles providing updates and information on the third round of direct payments, as well as the latest news on a possible fourth check.
Third stimulus check: will there be a bonus payment?
IRS sends out another 700,000 'plus-up' payments
The IRS is distributing supplementary stimulus checks, known as 'plus-up' payments, to qualifying Americans, and revealed late last week that a further 700,000 such checks were sent out as part of the latest batch of third Economic Impact Payments.
Full story: IRS sends out another 700,000 'plus-up' payments
Find out more: What is a 'plus-up' payment?
Fourth stimulus check: will the new relief bill have bigger payments if approved?
Pressure is growing on President Biden to support more direct payments in his Build Back Better spending drive - but how much could Americans receive?
Track your stimulus check using Get My Payment
A reminder that, if your third stimulus check is yet to reach you, you can keep tabs on its progress by visiting the IRS' online Get My Payment portal.
More information on the Get My Payment tool
The IRS also has a helpful Get My Payment FAQs page on its website.
(Image: www.irs.gov)
Fourth stimulus check: who is in favor of its approval?
It appears that consensus among Washington Democrats may be shifting towards support for the payment of a fourth stimulus check.
Support from members of the House of Representatives has been steady throughout the pandemic. In January, Ilhan Omar led an effort with support from over 50 House Democrats calling on President Biden to advocate for recurring payments stating:
“A one-time payment of $2,000 is simply not enough. The American people are counting on us to deliver transformative change, and we need to meet the moment by delivering monthly payments of $2,000.”
Find out more in Maite Knorr-Evans' latest report.
Covid stimulus to help fund furloughed workers
City workers who lost out on a week’s pay last year in the depths of New York’s coronavirus budget crunch will get their money back - courtesy of the rest of the nation’s taxpayers, reports the NYP.
“We had to make difficult decisions as we faced a massive budget shortfall last year,” Mayor de Blasio said Saturday. “Thanks to the federal stimulus, we are in a much better place and can pay these workers back for their sacrifice.”
More than 9,000 non-union workers were forced to take five-day furloughs, starting in October, to help balance the bloated city budget.
Full story:
Wondering where all the money come from to pay stimulus checks...?
CBS spoke to Sahil Bloom, vice president of Attamont Capital Partners, about the process...
Make it Monthly Mondays: the push for recurring stimulus checks
The 'Make it Monthly' Monday zoom meeting will take place at 7pm ET. See details below if you would like to support the cause that aims to push President Joe Biden to approve recurring stimulus checks...
IRS holding over 29M unprocessed tax returns
The IRS is holding more than 29 million tax returns for manual processing, causing a delay in refunds for many low-income Americans as the agency employee struggles to adapt to a number of pandemic-related changes , according to its internal watchdog.
"As one would expect, IRS employees are stretched thin working through the manual processing of these returns," National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins wrote in a recent blog post. "So if a taxpayer’s return is pulled for manual processing, there will be delays."
At least 8 million returns have been placed in "suspense" until an they can be reviewed by an IRS employee.
Biden's covid approval rating remains high despite stimulus spending
Before taking office President Biden pledged to rule by consensus, but soon moved away from that ethos as he pushed through the $1.9 trn American Rescue Plan without a single Republican vote. The package included the third stimulus checks and an expanded Child Tax Credit, both of which have been very popular.
It seems that the direct support offered by the stimulus bill has prevented Republican voters from turning on Biden and he still enjoys positive approval ratings for his handling of th pandemic.
Homeless people can receive stimulus checks
The IRS estimate that they have made over 161 million stimulus check payments since the American Rescue Plan was signed, but there are still many that they have not yet been able to reach.
Homeless people should have received all three rounds of federal support but without internet access, smart phones and a fixed address it if difficult to get the money to those in need. Here the IRS outline how to get help for someone who is yet to receive a check.
Stimulus payment delays: IRS holding tax returns
The IRS is holding more than 29 million tax returns for manual processing, delaying refunds for many low-income Americans as the agency struggles to adopt a slew of coronavirus pandemic-related changes, according to its internal watchdog.
"As one would expect, IRS employees are stretched thin working through the manual processing of these returns," National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins wrote in a recent blog post. "So if a taxpayer’s return is pulled for manual processing, there will be delays."
Megan Henney with the full story.
US stimulus checks live updates: welcome
Welcome to our live stimulus-checks blog for Monday 26 April, bringing you the latest news on a possible fourth stimulus check, as well as up-to-date information on the third round of direct payments, which is a part of President Joe Biden's $1.9tn covid-19 relief bill.
We'll also provide info on other measures included in the aid package, such as enhanced unemployment benefits and the expanded Child Tax Credit, which gives households with children up to $3,600 per child dependent.