CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: DIRECT PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Thousands of New Jersey workers and families are suffering as a result of the drastic, but vital social distancing measures we must take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ultimately save lives. Direct payments will help working families weather this storm, and while there’s more to do, Democrats successfully fought to ensure low-income Americans aren’t shortchanged in the middle of a national crisis.

The IRS now has a dedicated hotline to help answer questions and provide additional assistance for Economic Impact Payments. Please call 800-919-9835 or visit their website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

How will the CARES Act help New Jersey’s workers and families?

Anyone who filed a tax return this year or last year. Individual tax filers with Adjusted Gross Incomes (AGI) up to $75,0000 and head of household filers with AGI up to $112,500 will receive $1,200; joint filers with AGI up to $150,000 will receive $2,400.  Refunds will phase out at a rate of $5 for every $100.  Eligible tax filers will receive an additional $500 for each dependent child under the age of 17.

It depends on income. Single adults with Social Security numbers who have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will get the full amount. Married couples with no children earning $150,000 or less will receive a total of $2,400. And taxpayers filing as head of household will get the full payment if they earned $112,500 or less. 

Above those income figures, the payment decreases until it stops altogether for single people earning $99,000 or married people who have no children and earn $198,000. 

In any given family and in most instances, everyone must have a valid Social Security number in order to be eligible. There is an exception for members of the military.

Your adjusted gross income can be found on Line 8b of the 2019 1040 federal tax return.

Right now, just one. Future bills could order up additional payments, though.

Yes, Social Security recipients (including retirement & disability) will receive the full amount they are entitled to whether they have filed a tax return or not. The government will send a direct deposit or check using the information from an individual’s Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or Form RRB-1099 Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement. However, those receiving Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) do need to file their tax return for either tax year 2018 or 2019 in order to receive a payment.

If you’ve filed a tax return this year or last year, you don’t need to do anything. The IRS will send payments automatically to direct deposit or to the address provided on the last tax return submitted.

Some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.” Those who receive their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card can do the following without any fees.

Money sent via direct deposit will take a few weeks. Rebates sent via checks may take a few months.

No, rebates are not taxable.

As of now, Senator Menendez recommends that they file a return for either 2018 or 2019 to ensure they receive a direct payment. The best way to get your check quickly is to ensure that you filed a tax return for either tax year 2018 (filed by April 2019) or 2019 (file by July 15).  

Yes. Rebates will not be subject to garnishment, except if back child support is owed.

In this case, you should file a 2019 tax return.

If your parents claim you as a dependent on their taxes, you're ineligible. But if you've been working and filing taxes independently in recent years, you may qualify

No. The payment will be based on the most beneficial year for the taxpayers. So if qualify for a full payment one year but earn more and phase out in a different year, you would still be entitled to the full payment.