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Cash Payments

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Congress has passed several rounds of financial assistance and relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including most recently the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), which was signed into law on March 11, 2021.  

The ARP provides a new round of one-time direct payments to eligible individuals and families in Wisconsin. 

Payment Amounts

The payment is $1,400 per eligible family member: $1,400 per taxpayer ($2,800 for married couples filing jointly), and an additional $1,400 per dependent, including both children and non-child dependents.  An eligible family of four will receive up to $5,600.

Payment Timing

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began sending the third round of payments via direct deposit with an official pay date of Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Some people may first see these direct deposits in their account as a pending or provisional deposit. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the payments are automatic, and they should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions.

Those who do not receive their payments as a direct deposit will receive their payments in the mail in the next several weeks.

For anyone who missed out on the first two rounds of payments, it's not too late.

However, filing a 2020 tax return is the only way, if you're eligible, to get the money from the first or second payment now. People will need to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Most people who don't usually file can use IRS Free File to provide very basic information. There's even a special section on IRS.gov that can help: Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return.

When you answer the questions in Free File, you may also find that you're eligible for other tax credits which may mean a bigger refund. The IRS will process the tax return and issue a refund. You can expect two payments because the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit is paid as part of the tax refund. After the refund is issued, if you're eligible, you'll get another payment shortly afterward for the third Economic Impact Payment.

Payment eligibility

  • You will receive a payment if you meet the eligibility criteria (see more information below), and 
  • You filed a 2020 or 2019 tax return; you already receive Social Security benefits, SSI benefits, VA benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits; or
  • You successfully registered for a prior round of direct payments online at IRS.gov using the agency’s non-filer tool

To check the status of your payment, please use the IRS' Get My Payment tool by clicking here

For Frequently Asked Questions about the Get My Payment tool, please click here

For more details, please click here.

See below for more information regarding cash payments.

Frequently Asked Questions: Cash Payments to Wisconsinites

Who is eligible to receive a direct payment?

Generally, if you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and you are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s income tax return, you are eligible to receive a payment if you fall within the relevant income thresholds.

If you file your taxes as an individual and your annual income is $75,000 or less, you are eligible for a full payment of $1,400.  If you earn between $75,000 and $80,000, you are eligible for a reduced payment.

For married couples who file joint returns, you are eligible for a full payment of $2,800 if your joint annual income is $150,000 or less.  If you earn between $150,000 and $160,000, you are eligible for a reduced payment.  These amounts will differ if you have children and/or adult dependents; see below for more details.

If you are a single parent or caretaker and you file as a head of household, you are eligible for a full payment if your annual income is $112,500 or less, and a reduced payment if you earn between $112,500 and $120,000.  Your payment amount will depend on how many dependents you have.

If the credit amount determined by your 2021 tax return exceeds the payment amount you received (which will be based on your 2020 or 2019 tax return), you can claim the difference on your 2021 tax return.  If, on the other hand, you receive a larger payment than the maximum credit allowed based on your 2021 tax return information, you will not be required to repay any amount.

In general, taxpayers without an eligible Social Security Number are not eligible for the payment.  However, married taxpayers filing jointly where one spouse has a Social Security Number and one spouse does not are eligible for a payment of $1,400, in addition to $1,400 per dependent with a Social Security Number.

For eligible households in which at least one spouse is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (and at least one spouse includes their Social Security Number on the tax return), the couple may receive up to the full $2,800.

Taxpayers will now receive payments for all eligible dependents with a Social Security Number, including both children and non-child dependents.  In the case of a dependent who is adopted or placed for adoption, adoption taxpayer identification numbers are valid.

How much could I receive?

The payment is $1,400 per eligible family member: $1,400 per taxpayer ($2,800 for married couples filing jointly), and an additional $1,400 per dependent, including both children and non-child dependents.  An eligible family of four will receive up to $5,600.

Payments start to phase out for those with incomes exceeding $75,000 for singles; $150,000 for married couples; and $112,500 for single head-of-household filers.  Your income is based on your 2020 or 2019 tax return, whichever is the latest on file with the IRS.

If your income exceeds the phase-out threshold, your credit amount will be reduced proportional to your income in excess of the phase-out threshold, divided by $5,000 (individual), $10,000 (married couple), or $7,500 (single head-of-household).  So, if you are a single filer earning $78,000: $1,400 * (1-(($78,000-$75,000)/$5,000)) = $560

No payments will go to: single filers earning more than $80,000; joint filers earning more than $160,000; and single head-of-household filers earning more than $120,000.  See the table below for illustrative phase-outs.

How will I receive my payment?

If you have direct deposit information on file with the IRS, you will receive the payment that way.  If not, you will receive the payment in the mail as a check or debit card sent to the address provided on your 2020 or 2019 tax return, whichever is the latest on file with the IRS.

If you are eligible for a direct payment and you filed a tax return for 2020 or 2019, you will receive this payment automatically. The IRS reminds taxpayers they should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions.

If you are a Social Security Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance beneficiary, Supplemental Security Income recipient, Railroad Retirement beneficiary, or Veterans Administration beneficiary, you will receive this payment automatically.  If you did not file a 2020 or 2019 tax return but you receive any of these benefits, you will receive the payment the same way you normally receive your benefits.

If you applied through the non-filer portal for a prior round of direct payments and received a payment, you will receive this payment automatically.

How do I find out if the IRS is sending me a payment?

You can check the status of payments by using the Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish only on IRS.gov. 

Is any action needed by Social Security beneficiaries, railroad retirees and those receiving veterans’ benefits who are not typically required to file a tax return?

No. If you are a Social Security Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance beneficiary, Supplemental Security Income recipient, Railroad Retirement beneficiary, or Veterans Administration beneficiary, you will receive this payment automatically.  If you did not file a 2020 or 2019 tax return but you receive any of these benefits, you will receive the payment the same way you normally receive your benefits.

I didn’t file a tax return and didn’t previously register with the IRS.gov non-filers tool. Am I eligible for a payment?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirement. While you won’t receive an automatic payment now, you can still claim the equivalent Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 federal income tax return.

What should I do if I haven't received the first two rounds of payments?

Filing a 2020 tax return is the only way, if you're eligible, to get the money from the first or second payment now. You will need to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Most people who don't usually file can use IRS Free File to provide very basic information. There's even a special section on IRS.gov that can help: Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return.

When you answer the questions in Free File, you may also find that you're eligible for other tax credits which may mean a bigger refund. The IRS will process the tax return and issue a refund. Youl can expect two payments because the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit is paid as part of the tax refund. After the refund is issued, if you're eligible, you'll get another payment shortly afterward for the third Economic Impact Payment.

I don't have a bank account. Can I still receive a payment?

Many financial institutions will help a person lacking an account to open a low-cost or no-cost bank account. Individuals who open accounts will then have an account and routing number available if they file and request a direct deposit of the Economic Impact Payment.

Visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) website for details, in both English and Spanish, on opening an account online. Among other things, people can use the FDIC's BankFind tool to locate a nearby FDIC-insured bank. In addition, BankOn, the American Bankers AssociationIndependent Community Bankers of America and the National Credit Union Administration have all compiled lists of banks and credit unions that can open an account online.

For veterans, see the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) for access to financial services at participating banks.

People with a prepaid debit card may be able to have their refund applied to the card. Many reloadable prepaid cards or mobile payment apps have account and routing numbers that can be provided to the IRS. Individuals would need to check with the financial institution to ensure the card can be used and to obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different from the card number.

I'm experiencing homelessness. Can I still receive a payment?

People can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit or other credits or get a third Economic Impact Payment even if they don't have a permanent address. For example, someone experiencing homelessness may list the address of a friend, relative or trusted service provider, such as a shelter, drop-in day center or transitional housing program, on the return filed with the IRS. If they are unable to choose direct deposit, a check or debit card for the tax refund and the third Economic Impact Payment can then be mailed to this address.

Will I receive anything for my tax records showing I received a payment?

Yes. If you are eligible to receive a direct payment, Treasury will send notice by mail to your last known address as soon as practicable.  The notice will indicate the method by which the payment was made, the amount of the payment, and a phone number for a point of contact at the IRS to report any failure to receive your payment.

How can I avoid scams related to payments and COVID-19?

The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money. Remember, the IRS will not call, text you, email you or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the economic impact payments. Also, watch out for emails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds.

Where can I get more information?

For more information about Economic Impact Payments and the 2020/2021 Recovery Rebates, key information will be posted on IRS.gov/eip. You may check the status of your payment at IRS.gov/GetMyPayment. For other COVID-19-related tax relief, visit IRS.gov/Coronavirus.

Note: Taxpayers need to be on the lookout for calls and email phishing attempts about Coronavirus payments. These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. Taxpayers should watch out for calls, emails, text messages, websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information. For more information on Coronavirus-related or other phishing attempts please click here.

Información en español

¿Quién es elegible para recibir un pago directo?

Por lo general, si usted es ciudadano estadounidense o extranjero residente y no figura como dependiente en la declaración de impuestos sobre la renta de otra persona, es elegible para recibir un pago si se encuentra dentro de los umbrales de ingresos correspondientes.

Si declara sus impuestos como individuo y su ingreso anual es de $75,000 o menos, es elegible para un pago total de $1,400. Si gana entre $75,000 y $80,000, es elegible para un pago reducido.

Para las parejas casadas que presentan declaraciones conjuntas, usted es elegible para un pago total de $2,800 si su ingreso anual conjunto es de $150,000 o menos. Si gana entre $150,000 y $160,000, es elegible para un pago reducido. Estas cantidades serán diferentes si tiene hijos y / o adultos dependientes; consulte a continuación para obtener más detalles.

Si es un padre soltero o cuidador y presenta la declaración como jefe de familia, es elegible para un pago completo si su ingreso anual es de $112,500 o menos, y un pago reducido si gana entre $112,500 y $120,000. El monto de su pago dependerá de cuántos dependientes tenga.

Si el monto del crédito determinado por su declaración de impuestos de 2021 excede el monto del pago que recibió (que se basará en su declaración de impuestos de 2020 o 2019), puede reclamar la diferencia en su declaración de impuestos de 2021. Si, por otro lado, recibe un pago mayor que el crédito máximo permitido según la información de su declaración de impuestos de 2021, no se le pedirá que reembolse ningún monto.

En general, los contribuyentes sin un Número de Seguro Social elegible no son elegibles para el pago. Sin embargo, los contribuyentes casados que presentan una declaración conjunta cuando un cónyuge tiene un número de seguro social y un cónyuge no es elegible para un pago de $1,400, además de $1,400 por dependiente con un número de seguro social.

Para los hogares elegibles en los que al menos uno de los cónyuges es miembro de las Fuerzas Armadas de los EE. UU. (Y al menos uno de los cónyuges incluye su Número de Seguro Social en la declaración de impuestos), la pareja puede recibir hasta el total de $2,800.

Los contribuyentes ahora recibirán pagos por todos los dependientes elegibles con un número de seguro social, incluidos los dependientes menores y no menores. En el caso de un dependiente adoptado o puesto en adopción, los números de identificación del contribuyente de adopción son válidos.

¿Cuánto puedo recibir?

El pago es de $1,400 por miembro de la familia elegible: $1,400 por contribuyente ($2,800 para parejas casadas que presentan una declaración conjunta) y $1,400 adicionales por dependiente, incluidos hijos y dependientes que no son hijos. Una familia de cuatro miembros elegible recibirá hasta $5,600.

Los pagos comienzan a eliminarse para aquellos con ingresos superiores a $75,000 para solteros; $150,000 para parejas casadas; y $112,500 para contribuyentes solteros que sean cabeza de familia. Sus ingresos se basan en su declaración de impuestos de 2020 o 2019, la que sea la más reciente registrada en el IRS.

Si sus ingresos exceden el umbral de eliminación gradual, el monto de su crédito se reducirá proporcionalmente a sus ingresos que excedan el umbral de eliminación gradual, dividido por $ 5,000 (individuo), $10,000 (pareja casada) o $7,500 (cabeza de familia soltera). familiar). Entonces, si es un contribuyente único que gana $78,000: $1,400 * (1 - (($78,000- $75,000) / $5,000)) = $560

Ningún pago se destinará a: contribuyentes solteros que ganen más de $80,000; contribuyentes conjuntos que ganan más de $160,000; y contribuyentes solteros que son cabezas de familia que ganan más de $120,000.

¿Cómo recibiré mi pago?

Si tiene información de depósito directo archivada con el IRS, recibirá el pago de esa manera. De lo contrario, recibirá el pago por correo como un cheque o tarjeta de débito enviado a la dirección proporcionada en su declaración de impuestos de 2020 o 2019, la que sea la más reciente en el archivo del IRS.

Si es elegible para un pago directo y presentó una declaración de impuestos para 2020 o 2019, recibirá este pago automáticamente. El IRS les recuerda a los contribuyentes que no deben comunicarse con sus instituciones financieras o con el IRS con preguntas sobre el tiempo de pago.

Si usted es un beneficiario del Seguro Social por Vejez, Sobrevivientes e Incapacidad, un beneficiario de la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario, un beneficiario de la Jubilación Ferroviaria o un beneficiario de la Administración de Veteranos, recibirá este pago automáticamente. Si no presentó una declaración de impuestos de 2020 o 2019 pero recibe alguno de estos beneficios, recibirá el pago de la misma manera que normalmente recibe sus beneficios.

Si solicitó a través del portal de no contribuyentes una ronda previa de pagos directos y recibió un pago, recibirá este pago automáticamente.

¿Cómo puedo informarme si el IRS me enviará un pago?

Puede verificar el estado de los pagos utilizando el Obtener mi pago en IRS.gov. 

¿Es necesaria alguna acción por parte de los beneficiarios del Seguro Social, los jubilados ferroviarios y los que reciben beneficios de veteranos que normalmente no están obligados a presentar una declaración de impuestos?

No. Si usted es un beneficiario del Seguro Social por Vejez, Sobrevivientes y por Discapacidad, un beneficiario de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario, un beneficiario de Jubilación Ferroviaria o un beneficiario de la Administración de Veteranos, recibirá este pago automáticamente. Si no presentó una declaración de impuestos de 2020 o 2019 pero recibe alguno de estos beneficios, recibirá el pago de la misma manera que normalmente recibe sus beneficios.

¿Recibiré algo por mis registros de impuestos que demuestre que recibí un pago por impacto económico?

Si es elegible para recibir un pago directo, el Tesoro le enviará un aviso por correo a su última dirección conocida tan pronto como sea posible. El aviso indicará el método por el cual se realizó el pago, el monto del pago y un número de teléfono para un punto de contacto en el IRS para informar cualquier falta de recepción de su pago.

No presenté una declaración de impuestos y no me registré en la herramienta para no contribuyentes de IRS.gov. ¿Soy elegible para un pago?

Sí, si cumple con los requisitos de elegibilidad. Si bien no recibirá un pago automático ahora, aún puede reclamar el Crédito de reembolso de recuperación equivalente cuando presente su declaración federal de impuestos sobre la renta de 2021.

¿Cómo puedo evitar las estafas relacionadas con los pagos y COVID-19?

El IRS insta a los contribuyentes a estar atentos a los estafadores que intentan utilizar los pagos de impacto económico como cobertura para esquemas para robar información personal y dinero. Recuerde, el IRS no le llamará, enviará mensajes de texto, enviará correos electrónicos ni se comunicará con usted en las redes sociales para solicitar información personal o de cuenta bancaria, incluso en relación con los pagos de impacto económico. Además, tenga cuidado con los correos electrónicos con archivos adjuntos o enlaces que afirmen tener información especial sobre pagos o reembolsos de impacto económico.

¿Dónde puedo obtener más información?

Para obtener más información sobre los pagos de impacto económico y el reembolso de recuperación del 2020/2021, la información clave se publicará en IRS.gov/es/eip. Podrán revisar el estado de su pago en IRS.gov/GetMyPayment. Para otros alivios tributarios relacionados con COVID-19, visite IRS.gov/es/Coronavirus.

Nota: Los contribuyentes deben estar atentos a las llamadas y los intentos de phishing por correo electrónico sobre los pagos de Coronavirus. Estos contactos pueden dar lugar a fraudes relacionados con impuestos y robo de identidad. Los contribuyentes deben estar atentos a las llamadas, correos electrónicos, mensajes de texto, sitios web e intentos de redes sociales que soliciten dinero o información personal. Para obtener más información sobre los intentos de phishing relacionados con el coronavirus o de otro tipo, haga clic aquí.

Additional Information and Resources

For general information and resources about coronavirus for Wisconsinites, please click here.

For more information about the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, please click here.

Para obtener información general y recursos sobre el coronavirus para los habitantes de Wisconsin, haga clic aquí.

Para obtener más información sobre la Ley del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense de 2021, haga clic aquí.


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