I work full time; my wife receives Social Security Disability. My two children (8 yrs. and 9 mo) but receive a small portion of my wife's SSD payment each month as well.
The other day we received two Economic Stimulus Packet's in the mail addressed to each of my children.
Do they (I) need to fill these out in order for us to receive the $300 per child stimulus in May? Or did they receive these just because they receive SSD?
The IRS sent these packets to about 20 million Social Security or VA benefit recipients who did not file a tax return last year, so that those who qualify for the stimulus payment because of their Social Security or VA benefit income would not miss out, even if they don't have a filing requirrement and don't usually file a tax return. The packets are not relevant to some, like your children, since dependents do not qualify individually for the stimulus payment.
So, it is true that your children, as dependents, will not receive separate stimulus payments directly. However, you and your wife quite likely will qualify for a $300 additional stimulus payment for each child if you file a tax return indicating they are your dependents and are qualifying children for the child tax credit (Line 6c of the 1040 or 1040A). You don't have to submit additional tax forms for the children. The fact that they receive Social Security benefits doesn't make a difference.
If you already filed a tax return, and showed at least $3,000 in earnings, you don't have to do anything more to get the stimulus payment. The IRS will send you a notice indicating your payment has been sent and for how much. If for some reason you didn't list your children as dependents and check the child tax credit box on Line 6c, you can easily file an amended return (1040X) to fix this and receive your full stimulus payment.
John Wancheck Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
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