Will immigrants get a stimulus check – and when? You’re eligible for a check if you are a “resident alien” with a Social Security number (not an ITIN – Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). Even if you filed your tax return with a Social Security number, you won’t get a check if your tax return includes a spouse or child without a Social Security number. So mixed-status families will not be eligible.
Eligible persons include citizens, green card holders and others who pass a substantial presence test based on the number of days a person spent in the US for each of the last three years. Nonresidents such as students and visitors are not eligible. The amounts of the checks are $1200 for a single taxpayer, $2400 for a married couple, and $500 per child, but the amounts phase out for higher income earners.
The check amounts are based on 2019 tax returns, or 2018 if the taxpayer has not yet filed for 2019. IMPORTANT: You do not necessarily need to file a tax return to receive a check, for example if you’re receiving Social Security benefits you’re in the government’s systems and probably don’t need to file. The IRS will use direct deposit information from tax returns or from other benefits such as Social Security payments.
When will you get the money? The news on this is changing rapidly. Check the IRS coronavirus page for the latest information on eligibility and the progress of the payments.
