We help you calculate the maximum amount that could end up in your pocket if another stimulus payment comes your way.
Angela Lang/CNETA second stimulus check could still be sent to you this year, but how much would it amount to? Sending another direct payment to eligible Americans has support from both chambers of Congress, the White House and 70% of Americans surveyed on the topic. A payment of as much as $1,200 per adult -- or perhaps more, if you have dependents who meet the eligibility requirements -- is still on the table.
Once the Senate reconvenes on Sept. 8, talks could resume on passing another economic rescue package. The Republican-authored "skinny bill" worth $500 billion isn't expected to include another round of direct payments or pass the House, but it might spur further negotiation on different legislation. President Donald Trump could also issue an executive order to send stimulus payments without approval from Congress.
Whichever way a check might be authorized, we can help you start to figure out how much you and your family might get by calculating the total based on factors like your total income (this part can get complicated) and the number of dependents you have. This story updates often.
Will you receive the whole $1,200 payment? How to calculate
Calculating how much stimulus money you and your family could get isn't at all straightforward. But we'll help you estimate the amount you could receive, in two ways. The $1,200 figure is based on guidelines from the last stimulus bill and two proposals, and uses your adjusted gross income, or AGI and a set of rules to determine the total you could personally expect.
But there are also allowances for your whole family, including up to $2,400 if you file jointly with your spouse, as well as more money for dependents. In the first stimulus check, only dependents aged 16 or younger could qualify for an extra $500 each toward the family total. There's bipartisan support to include more people this time, which means you could potentially receive more in a second check than in the first. Here's everything we know about possible qualifications for another direct payment.
We lay out some potential scenarios below, based on our stimulus check calculator, which you can also use to see a more specific estimate.
Stimulus check calculations
| Scenario 1 | Scenario 2 | Scenario 3 | Scenario 4 | Scenario 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing status | Single | Head of household | Married | Married | Married |
| 2018 or 2019 tax AGI | $75,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Dependents under 17 (CARES Act) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dependents over 17 (HEALS Act) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Estimated check amount | $1,200 | $1,700 | $3,400 | $4,400 | $900 |
Maximum amount of stimulus money your family could expect
Depending on how negotiations shake out, the total amount your family may get could change. Here's a look at the caps put in place to give you an idea of what government leaders are thinking.
CARES Act: With the CARES Act from March, there was no limit to the number of children who could count as dependents, as long as they were under 17 and claimed by the taxpayer on the tax return, according to the Tax Foundation. Each dependent would garner the taxpayer $500. Theoretically, a family in which two adults and six children under 17 were eligible for the full amount could receive $5,400.
HEALS Act: Similar to the CARES Act, the HEALS Act put forth by Republicans doesn't mention a cap on the amount a family may receive. The difference is that it doesn't limit dependents to those under 17 to qualify for the $500 payment.
Heroes Act: The Heroes Act, put together by the Democratic-led House and which has never been taken up or vetoed by the Senate, would place a cap of $6,000 for households of five or more. Essentially, it proposes $1,200 for each adult and dependent, with a maximum of three dependents per family.
The amount of stimulus money you could get in a second round of checks is still undecided.
James Martin/CNETHow your IRS stimulus payment could reach you
While there's no official plan yet, it's likely that receiving this second stimulus check would work much like it did the first time around.
Direct deposit: If you filed taxes in 2018 or 2019 and included direct-deposit banking information, it's likely you can receive your check as a direct deposit. Even if you didn't file your direct deposit information with the IRS during tax season, you should still be able to opt in. If you asked for an extension on your taxes, you can still file them before the Oct. 15, 2020, deadline and choose to share your direct deposit information with the IRS. If another round of stimulus payments is authorized, the IRS is likely to reopen the online tool it used for the first round and let you log your information then.
A paper check in the mail: If you don't register your banking details with the IRS, you'll likely receive a paper check in the mail, which you can deposit or cash. If you've recently moved, make sure to file your change-of-address paperwork. The IRS will use your last known address, which could hold up delivery of your check or otherwise cause a delay.
EIP card: Under the CARES Act, about 4 million people were also sent money in the form of a prepaid economic impact payment card, which you can spend like cash. The cards came in plain, unmarked envelopes.
Read up on all the finer points of the stimulus payment here.
What's happening now with the second stimulus check decision?
That's the trillion-dollar question. The Senate is adjourned and doesn't plan to resume sessions until Sept. 8. Senate Republicans said they hope to vote on a "skinny" coronavirus stimulus package called the Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act that week, which includes money for the USPS, along with $300 in weekly unemployment benefits -- similar to an executive action signed by President Donald Trump. However, the draft of this proposed package does not include funding for a second round of stimulus checks.
Here's more on how the timeline could play out if a bill is passed, including when the IRS could send the first checks.
If you're still waiting for your first stimulus check, here are 10 possible reasons for a delay, what you can do if you think your payment was lost or has fallen through the cracks and if you could receive two refund checks from the IRS.
Shelby Brown contributed to this report.
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