(UPDATE: Social Security recipients with dependent children 16 years old or younger will have to use the IRS's online tool by noon (Eastern) on April 22 to get an additional $500 per child in their stimulus check if they didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return. The story below has been updated with this new information.)
At one point, it was thought that eligible Social Security recipients who didn't file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 would have to use the IRS's "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" tool to get a stimulus check payment. However, after some internal back-and-forth, the IRS said that you will automatically receive a $1,200 stimulus check if you received Social Security retirement, disability, survivor, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in 2019. (Ditto for if you received Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.) The IRS will use information from the Social Security Administration (or RRB) to generate a payment to you if you didn't file a tax return in 2018 or 2019. (Note that you are not eligible to receive a stimulus payment if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.)
However, Social Security recipients with children 16 years old or younger will have to use the "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" tool to get an extra $500 per child added to their $1,200 payment if they didn't file a 2018 or 2019 tax return. If that's you, use the online tool by noon Eastern time, Wednesday, April 22, to let the IRS know about your children before your payment is processed.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
-
Stocks Can't Hold Meta, Microsoft Gains: Stock Market TodayThe main indexes all opened higher Thursday on impressive Big Tech earnings, but momentum faded into the close.
-
Retirement Health Care Costs Are On the Rise: What You Need to KnowA 65-year-old retiree will face significantly higher lifetime health care costs than they would have a year ago, even with Medicare. Here are the surprising totals.
-
Tariff Stimulus Checks Coming? New Proposal Seeks Tax Rebates for U.S. WorkersTax Breaks A new GOP bill proposes to send $600 in tariff rebate checks to eligible taxpayers. Is there a catch?
-
Biggest Winners and Losers in Trump's New Tax PlanTax Law Trump’s mega tax overhaul, known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ has distinct winners and losers. Which group do you fall into?
-
Ask the Editor, July 25: Questions on Four New Tax DeductionsAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on four new tax deductions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
-
Five Ways Trump’s 2025 Tax Bill Could Boost Your Tax Refund (or Shrink It)Tax Refunds The tax code is changing again, and if you’re filing for 2025, Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ bill could mean a bigger refund, a smaller one or something in between next year. Here are five ways the new law could impact your bottom line.
-
New SALT Deduction Could Put Thousands Back in California Homeowners’ PocketsTax Breaks The federal state and local sales tax (SALT) deduction cap is higher this year, and could translate into bigger savings for Golden State homeowners.
-
Money for Your Kids? Three Ways Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Your Child's FinancesTax Tips The Trump tax bill could help your child with future education and homebuying costs. Here’s how.
-
New Cap on Gambling Loss Deductions Begins Soon: What to Know NowTax Changes A gambling losses tax deduction cap in Trump’s “big beautiful bill” is causing an uproar. Here’s what you need to know.
-
Ask the Editor, July 18: Questions on the $6,000 Senior DeductionAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on the new $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older.
