Summary of Stimulus Check Amounts
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States delivered three rounds of economic impact payments, commonly called stimulus checks. This guide summarizes the verified amounts by round, explains eligibility rules, and describes how payments were calculated. The three federal distributions occurred in 2020 and early 2021 under the CARES Act and subsequent legislation. This article focuses on what was paid, not on ongoing debates about economic effects.
What Were the Three Stimulus Check Rounds
The federal government issued three broad waves of direct payments to individuals and households to offset pandemic-related economic disruption. These were not loans and did not require repayment for general eligibility. Each round had different authorizing laws, timing, and rules. The following table summarizes key attributes of each round.
Payment Rounds at a Glance
| Round | Date Issued | Authorization Law | Base Amount per Adult | Base Amount per Child | Payment Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | March 2020 | CARES Act | $1,200 | $500 | Direct deposit, paper check, or EIP card |
| Second | December 2020 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 | $600 | $600 | Direct deposit, paper check, or EIP card |
| Third | March 2021 | American Rescue Plan Act | $1,400 | $1,400 | Direct deposit, paper check, or EIP card |
Eligibility Rules and Income Limits
Eligibility for each round depended on adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on recent tax returns, filing status, and residency. In general, payments were phased out above certain income thresholds and were not available to some higher-income filers. Noncitizens who met the substantial presence test for residency could qualify. People who were claimed as dependents by another taxpayer were generally not eligible to receive a payment in their own name in the first two rounds; rules changed in the third round for certain dependents.
Phaseout Ranges (Approximate)
Phaseouts reduced and eventually eliminated the payments as income rose. These figures are rounded for clarity and represent the general thresholds used by the IRS.
Income Phaseout Thresholds by Round
| Round | Single Filers (Phaseout Start) | Joint Filers (Phaseout Start) | Head of Household (Phaseout Start) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First (CARES Act) | $75,000 | $150,000 | $112,500 |
| Second (CAA 2020) | $75,000 | $150,000 | $112,500 |
| Third (ARPA 2021) | $75,000 | $150,000 | $112,500 |
How Payments Were Calculated
The IRS generally used tax return information from 2018 or 2019 to determine payment size. If a household had eligible children, an additional amount per child was added. In the third round, the payment per child was the same as the per-adult amount, unlike the first two rounds. Payments were typically delivered via direct deposit, and paper checks or EIP cards were options for people without direct deposit on file. Economic Impact Payments appear as 'Treasury Refund' or similar on bank statements.
Key Timeline and Delivery Dates
The first payments began arriving in mid-April 2020. The second wave started in mid-December 2020, and the third wave began in mid-March 2021. Many recipients received funds within one to two weeks of issuance, though timing varied by bank and delivery method. The IRS issued multiple payment waves for each round to manage volume.
Common Questions and Clarifications
- Were stimulus checks taxable income? No, the payments were tax credits advanced to eligible individuals and were not taxable income.
- Do I need to pay the stimulus check back? Generally, no. The payments were advances of a tax credit and did not require repayment.
- What if I did not receive a payment I expected? Eligibility and timing varied. Some people became eligible after the main issuance waves through subsequent payments or by claiming Recovery Rebate Credits on their tax return.
- How were payments issued? Most people received direct deposit; others received paper checks or EIP debit cards based on availability and IRS records.