Second Stimulus Check Update: Trump Signs Bill Authorizing Second Round of Stimulus Checks
President Trump has signed a bill authorizing a $600-per-person second stimulus check. Hints that "much more money is coming."
A second stimulus check is finally on the way. After a nearly week-long political guessing game, President Trump has signed the massive COVID-relief and government spending bill recently passed by Congress. The $900 billion bill that includes, among other things, a second round of stimulus checks ($600 base amount), $300-per-week unemployment benefits, renewed funding for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans, money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, extended tax breaks, and much more.
The legislation doesn't provide the $2,000-per-person second stimulus checks the president pushed for after Congress passed the bill. However, more money may be on the way. In a statement released before the stimulus bill was signed, the president said "the House will vote to increase payments to individuals from $600 to $2,000" on December 28 (this was previously planned). He also said "[t]he Senate will start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000." Whether that happens remains to be seen. However, if payments aren't increased to $2,000, Americans will still receive the $600 second stimulus checks authorized by the bill already signed by the president.
When Will Your Second Stimulus Check Arrive?
Before the president said he didn't want to sign the COVID-relief and government spending bill, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that checks would start going out before New Year's Eve. However, nearly a week has gone by since Congress passed the bill, so it isn't known at this time if that schedule is still feasible.
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.
In any event, the stimulus bill puts a deadline on delivery of second-round payments. The IRS can't send any second stimulus checks after January 15, 2021. If a payment isn't sent to you by then, you'll have to claim the amount owed to you as a "recovery rebate" credit on your 2020 federal income tax return (which will be due April 15, 2021).
If the IRS already has your bank account information—either from a recent tax payment that you made or from a tax refund it sent you—then expect to get your second stimulus check faster. That's because the IRS will be able to directly deposit the payment into your bank account. The IRS can also make a second stimulus payment to a Direct Express debit card account, a U.S. Debit Card account, or other Treasury-sponsored account. Otherwise, expect to get a paper check in the mail.
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
-
Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth Up to $1,800 with an AMEX Business Card
Delta SkyMiles and American Express offer 150,000 on business credit card for new cardholders.
By Ellen Kennedy Published
-
Stock Market Today: Markets Soar Amid Strong Earnings for Big Tech
Equities ended the week on an up note thanks to some of the market's biggest names.
By Dan Burrows Published
-
'Instant' EV Tax Credits Are a Hit: $580M Paid This Year
EV Credits Claiming federal electric vehicle tax credits at the point of sale is a new and popular option in 2024.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Retirees Face Significant Tax Bills Due to Fraud
Fraud A new report sheds light on how older adult scam victims end up with big tax bills and lost retirement savings.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Tax Day: Is the Post Office Open Late?
Tax Filing Tax Day means some people need to mail their federal income tax returns.
By Kelley R. Taylor Published
-
High Earners: Beware of These Illegal Schemes to Lower Taxes
Tax Schemes The IRS says high-income filers are targets for several illegal tax schemes.
By Katelyn Washington Last updated
-
Mailing Your Tax Return This Year? What to Know Before You Do
Tax Filing There are plenty of reasons not to mail your tax return this year, but here’s what you should know if you are.
By Katelyn Washington Last updated
-
IRS Warning: Beware of Smishing and 'Helper' Tax Scams
Scams Tax season is a time to look out for email and text message scams.
By Kelley R. Taylor Last updated
-
Most Expensive States to Live in for Homeowners
Property Taxes High property tax bills make the places on this list the most expensive states for homeowners to live in.
By Katelyn Washington Last updated
-
Don’t Miss This $2,500 Tax Break for Paying Your Student Loan
Tax Deductions Do you qualify for the student loan interest deduction this year?
By Katelyn Washington Last updated