The first stimulus check, also known as the Economic Impact Payment, was a one-time payment issued by the U.S. government in 2020 as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The purpose of the stimulus check was to provide financial relief to individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the first stimulus check, you had to meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying resident alien
- Have a valid Social Security number (SSN)
- Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
- Have an adjusted gross income (AGI) below certain limits:
- $75,000 for single filers
- $150,000 for married couples filing jointly
- $112,500 for head of household filers
Payment Amounts
The amount of the first stimulus check you received depended on your filing status and AGI. The maximum payment amounts were:
- $1,200 for single filers
- $2,400 for married couples filing jointly
- $500 for each qualifying child under the age of 17
Payment Methods
The IRS used the information on your 2019 tax return (or your 2018 tax return if you hadn’t filed your 2019 return yet) to determine your eligibility and payment amount. The IRS sent the payments via direct deposit, paper check, or EIP Card (a prepaid debit card).
How to Get Your First Stimulus Check
If you met the eligibility requirements but didn’t receive your first stimulus check, you can claim it as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return. You must file a 2020 tax return by May 17, 2024, to claim the credit.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much was the first stimulus check?
- The maximum payment amounts were $1,200 for single filers, $2,400 for married couples filing jointly, and $500 for each qualifying child under the age of 17.
- Who was eligible for the first stimulus check?
- U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualifying resident aliens with a valid SSN and an AGI below certain limits.
- How were the payments issued?
- The IRS sent the payments via direct deposit, paper check, or EIP Card.
- What if I didn’t receive my first stimulus check?
- You can claim it as the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return.
How much were the first, second and third stimulus checks and when were they sent out
FAQ
How much was the 2nd stimulus check?
How much is stimulus payment 1?
How much was the 3rd stimulus check?
How much did the stimulus check cost in total?
When did the first stimulus check come out?
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and the first stimulus check, which maxed out at $1,200 per person (with an extra $500 per dependent ), would have arrived as early as mid-April 2020, either as a paper check in your mailbox or via direct deposit into your bank account.
How soon can one test positive for the flu?
If someone has flu, the patient will present with fever, cough and generalized weakness. Some tests can also be done which can indicate presence of flu.
How much does a third stimulus check cost?
In the meantime, the IRS is sending third stimulus checks for up to $1,400 apiece to people who qualify for the new eligibility rules and income limits. Whether you already got your third stimulus check or you’re still waiting, it’s important to look back at what you received — or didn’t receive — from checks one and two.
Can I claim my first stimulus check?
Exception: If a 2018 or 2019 joint tax return was filed without your consent or signed under duress, you may be able to claim your first stimulus check as the Recovery Rebate Credit. Click here for specific information on what to do to show that your joint return was invalid.