Skip to Main Content
Blue Background image

TaxAct Stimulus Center

Get the most recent updates surrounding the tax code changes introduced by the American Rescue Plan, including answers to frequently asked questions about the third stimulus payments.

Latest American Rescue Plan News

August 20, 2021

Families receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments can now update their mailing address using the IRS’ Child Tax Credit Update Portal. Updating address information will help avoid mailing delays or returned payments for families who choose to receive their payment by paper check. Families who receive the CTC monthly payments by direct deposit can also use the portal to update their address with the IRS for all future correspondence.

July 8, 2021

Some filers are receiving a notice from the IRS regarding the Unemployment Income Exclusion that was passed on 3/11 as a part of the American Rescue Plan. The IRS provided updated guidelines for filers in regards to these notices. Check out our FAQ page to get answers to questions you may have.

June 30, 2021

Eligible families can now use the IRS’ Child Tax Credit Update Portal to submit new bank account information to the IRS for their monthly Child Tax Credit payments.

Find more information regarding the latest updates to this tool by visiting our blog.

June 24, 2021

Families can now use the IRS’ new tool called Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant to determine if they are eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit monthly payments.

Visit the IRS’ Advance Child Tax Credit 2021 page to access the tool.

June 22, 2021

The IRS announced the availability of two new tools to assist qualifying families in managing their monthly Child Tax Credit payments, which includes the Child Tax Credit Update Portal that allows families to opt out of receiving the advance payments. 

Get more details by visiting the our blog.

June 7, 2021

The IRS has started sending letters to more than 36 million American families who may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments starting in July. Eligible families will receive two different letters from the agency.

Find out if you qualify on our blog.

May 18, 2021

If you qualify for the child tax credit, the IRS will begin to make first payments on July 15th. The payments will continue on the 15th of every month with the exception of weekends and holidays. There is no action required to receive these payments, they will be made automatically and a majority of them will be dispersed via direct deposit. The IRS is working on a web portal that will allow people to opt out or update their life event information. There will be more information to come, stay tuned to the stimulus center for updates. 

May 14, 2021

Reminder that the deadline to file federal tax returns is Monday May 17, 2021. Unless you are a resident of Texas, Louisiana or Oklahoma. Residents of these three states have until June 15, 2021 to file their federal tax return.

May 11, 2021

The IRS will begin distributing recovery payments for unemployment this week. After payments have been sent, the IRS plans to send out a correction notice to individuals who had a corrected return due to the unemployment exclusion.

Apr. 16, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 suspends the requirement that taxpayers to pay back excess advance payment of their Premium Tax Credit if they received more income in 2020 than they were projected or estimated to make. TaxAct’s software will determine if Form 8962 needs to be filed. Taxpayers do not need to report the excess advance of the Premium Tax Credit repayment on their 2020 taxes. Taxpayers that had excess of their Premium Tax Credit and filed their taxes before the American Rescue Plan was signed, do not need to file an amended return or contact the IRS. The IRS will reduce the repayment amount to zero with no action needed from the taxpayer. The IRS will reimburse those who have already repaid any excess advance Premium Tax Credit on their 2020 tax return.

Mar. 31, 2021

The IRS has released that they will automatically recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits for those that filed their taxes prior to the changes made by the American Rescue Plan. The unemployment exclusion makes the first $10,200 of unemployment nontaxable for each taxpayer that made less than $150,000 AGI in 2020, and the first $20,400 if married filing jointly. The money will automatically be refunded to taxpayers that are eligible, and already filed, this spring and summer with the first refunds expected to be made in May. The IRS will do the recalculations in two phases. First they will start with those eligible for the up to $10,200 exclusion, then they will adjust returns for those married filing jointly taxpayers who are eligible for the up to $20,400 exclusion and others with more complex returns. There is no need for taxpayers that have already filed to amend their returns to receive the unemployment benefit unless the calculations make the taxpayer newly eligible for additional federal credits and deductions not already included on their original tax return. 

Mar. 22, 2021

The IRS has stated that taxpayers that filed their taxes before the American Rescue Plan was passed and qualify for the unemployment exclusion, do not need to amend their return to receive the benefit. The IRS will augment returns based on the new exclusion and provide updated return payments, as applicable. The unemployment exclusion makes the first $10,200 of unemployment nontaxable for each taxpayer that made less than $150,000 AGI in 2020.

Mar. 17, 2021

Following the passing of the American Rescue Plan, the IRS announced that the tax deadline for individuals filing federal taxes for the 2020 tax year has been automatically pushed back from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds associated with e-filed returns are issued within 21 days. The extension does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15, 2021.

The May 17, 2021 deadline does not apply to individuals and business that file federal taxes in the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The deadline in these states was already extended to June 15, 2021 after FEMA declared their February storms as a natural disaster.

The deadline postponement to May 17, 2021 does not apply to state tax payments or deposits or payments of any other type of federal tax. Individual state filing and payment deadlines vary and are not always the same as the federal filing deadline. The IRS urges taxpayers to check with their state tax agencies for those details.

Learn more about the deadline extension on our blog.

Mar. 13, 2021

The IRS is reviewing their plans for implementation of the newly passed American Rescue Plan Act. The IRS stated they will provide additional guidance on the provisions that could affect their 2020 tax return. This includes the retroactive provision that makes the first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits nontaxable. Those that need to file unemployment benefits are advised to wait until tax software companies like TaxAct have updated their software to support the new change. For those that have received unemployment last year and already filed their 2020 return, the IRS emphasizes that they should not file an amended return at this time and wait until the IRS issues more guidance. TaxAct will continue to update customers as product updates are made available.

Mar. 11, 2021

President Biden has officially signed the American Rescue Plan into law today. The White House press secretary has said the direct payments could begin depositing in bank accounts as early as this weekend.

Learn more about the third stimulus package and what it means to you on our blog.

Mar. 10, 2021

Congress has passed the American Rescue Plan. President Biden has confirmed he will sign the bill Friday afternoon, March 12, 2021. Here are the quick facts about the third stimulus plan you need to know:

  • Individuals earning $75,000 or less AGI per year will receive $1,400

  • Married couples filing jointly earning $150,000 or less AGI per year will receive $2,800

  • Head of household filers earning 112,500 or less AGI will receive $1,400

  • Each dependent claimed will be an additional $1,400

  • Federal unemployment benefits of $300 a week have been extended through Sept. 6, 2021

  • Unemployment benefits will be tax-free on the first $10,200 received in 2020 for households making less than $150,000 per year

Unsure what to do next? If you made less money in 2020, it is recommended you complete your tax filing ahead of the signing to ensure you receive the maximum stimulus payment you qualify for. The IRS also recommends you file your taxes soon to confirm they have your most up to date information and allow for a quick delivery of stimulus payment.

Learn more about the third stimulus update on our blog.

Mar. 6, 2021

Senate has passed an amended $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill. The amendment to the American Rescue Plan includes a quicker phase out of recovery rebate credits’ (stimulus payments) income window. Under this plan, the payments completely phase out for single taxpayers with an AGI over $80,000, married taxpayers who file jointly with an AGI of $160,000 and head of households with an AGI of $120,000. The amendment also provides $300 a week in federal unemployment benefits through September 6, 2021 and allows for the first $10,200 to be tax-free in 2020 for households making less than $150,000 per year. The bill has now been passed back to the House for approval, and then will be sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

Mar. 3, 2021

House of Representatives have passed the American Rescue Plan (a third stimulus payment). The bill is now with the Senate and is expected to be voted on this week. This comes as the enhanced unemployment insurance is set to expire on March 14, 2021. The IRS continues to encourage people to file their 2020 tax returns to ensure they have the most up to date information in anticipation of this third stimulus payment.

Feb. 22, 2021

The state of California passed a new COVID-19 economic relief package called the Golden State Stimulus. Part of that package granting qualifying individuals and families a one-time stimulus payment of up to $600. To see if you qualify for the payment, check out our FAQs below.

Feb. 18, 2021

House democrats are aiming to vote on the $1.9 trillion federal rescue package at the end of next week. The current goal is to approve the package before the enhanced unemployment insurance expires on March 14, 2021. To prepare for the possibility of a third stimulus payment, the IRS urges filers to consider filing their 2020 tax returns as soon as possible.

Feb. 15, 2021

The state of Maryland has passed the RELIEF Act of 2021, which provides $1 billion in emergency coronavirus relief to individuals and small businesses. The package includes stimulus payments of up to $500 and $300 for qualifying individuals. For more information on whether you qualify to receive a payment, read our FAQs below.

Feb. 9, 2021

The House Ways and Means Committee released the first draft of the COVID-19 relief bill and will begin marketing up the bill on Wed., Feb. 10. Final votes on the bill by the House are expected to occur on Fri., Feb. 12. Senate action is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Feb. 5, 2021

The Senate approved a budget resolution that clears the path for the American Rescue Plan to pass through budget reconciliation. (Reconciliation means the bill will only need a simple majority of votes to pass.)

Jan. 14, 2021

President Biden proposed a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill called the American Rescue Plan which includes a third round of Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus payments). This plan would give qualifying individuals an extra $1,400 in stimulus money.

*Read the FAQs below for more details related to each of these updates.

Third Stimulus Payments FAQ

What you need to know.

Stimulus Calculator

See how much to expect if you qualify for a 3rd stimulus check.

See how much to expect if you qualify for a third stimulus check.

Can you be claimed as a dependent on another person's return?

Do you have a valid social security number (SSN)?

$

Have more questions? Get Xpert Assist.*

A TaxAct Xpert offering help for filing taxes

Connect directly with a CPA or other tax expert to get answers to your tax questions using TaxAct Xpert Assist. Our experts are available seven days a week to provide unlimited guidance and advice as you need it.

* TaxAct Xpert Assist: Available to certain users of TaxAct's online, consumer 1040 product for an additional charge. Service hours limited to designated scheduling times and by expert availability. Some tax topics or situations may not be included as part of this service. View the full TaxAct Xpert Assist Terms and Conditions.

Popular Stimulus Blog Content