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The Recovery Rebate Credit 2020 Amount is a refundable tax credit that can be claimed on tax returns.
You can claim the credit if you're eligible, which means you must have received an Economic Impact Payment, also known as a stimulus check, in 2020.
This credit is based on the amount of the Economic Impact Payment you received, which was either $1,200 or $500 per child dependent.
What Is Recovery Rebate Credit
The Recovery Rebate Credit is a tax credit that was introduced as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020.
The initial stimulus payment provided up to $1,200 per qualifying adult and up to $500 per qualifying dependent, with most payments going out in mid-2020.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, also known as the CAA, was signed into law on December 27, 2020, and is also part of the 2020 tax credit.
The second stimulus payment distributed up to $600 per qualified recipient, with payments going out in late 2020 and early 2021.
The goal of the Recovery Rebate Credit was to get money into the hands of taxpayers as fast as possible without having to wait for them to file their 2020 tax returns.
The payments that were sent out were called Economic Impact Payments and were an advance payment of the 2020 tax credit.
Here's a breakdown of the first two rounds of stimulus checks:
If you didn't receive the credit or not enough of the credit through the stimulus payments, the only way to claim the proper amount is on your 2020 tax return.
Eligibility and Qualification
To qualify for the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien in 2020. You also cannot have been a dependent of another taxpayer in 2020.
Your Social Security number must be valid for employment before the 2020 tax return due date. Additionally, you did not receive the full amount of the credit through an Economic Impact Payment.
Nonresident aliens, estates, and trusts don't qualify for the credit. On the other hand, eligible U.S. expats who are thinking about renouncing their U.S. citizenship will be able to claim the credit.
To receive the credit, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must fall within certain income limits. You can check these limits in the section below.
Here are the basic eligibility requirements:
- You are a U.S. citizen, Green Card Holder, or qualifying resident alien.
- You are not a dependent of another taxpayer
- You have a valid Social Security number (SSN)
- You did not receive the entire credit through previously issued stimulus payments
If you're claiming additional stimulus money based on your dependent children, they also need to have a valid SSN or adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN).
Claiming and Calculating
You can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if you didn't receive the full credit amount as an economic impact payment. TurboTax can help you claim the credit by asking questions about your tax situation and the economic impact payments you may have received.
To claim the credit, you'll need to file your tax return. If you're completing your tax return on your own, the credit can be claimed on line 30 of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Instructions for completing this line are included in Form 1040's instructions.
The credit amount is based on your filing status, number of qualifying children, amounts of your Economic Impact Payments previously received, and adjusted gross income. If you're eligible for the full credit, you may receive up to $2,400 if you're married, filing jointly, or $1,200 for any other filing status, plus $500 for each qualifying child under age 17 at the end of 2020.
Here's a breakdown of the credit amounts:
- Married, filing jointly: $2,400
- Other filing status: $1,200
- Qualifying child under age 17: $500
The credit amount is reduced by 5% of the amount that your AGI exceeds the following levels:
- $75,000 for Single or Married Filing Separately
- $112,500 for Head of Household
- $150,000 for Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse
Additionally, the credit amount is reduced by the amount of the Economic Impact Payments you received in 2020 and/or 2021.
Example and Details
The 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit is a tax credit that's part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The credit is available to those who didn't receive the Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) or received less than the full amount they were eligible for. The government sent out EIPs as an advance payment of the 2020 tax credit, based on prior year tax returns or eligibility for certain benefits.
Alex and Samantha, from Example 1, are a great example of how the credit works. They filed their 2020 tax return as married filing jointly, claiming their child Ethan, and had a combined AGI of $125,000.
Their maximum 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit is $4,700, made up of $2,900 for the first stimulus payment and $1,800 for the second stimulus payment. However, their credit is reduced by the $1,800 Economic Impact Payments that Alex received.
The credit can be claimed on a 2020 tax return, even if you're not required to file one. If you received too much of the credit, you don't have to pay it back.
Here's a breakdown of the first and second stimulus checks:
- First stimulus payment: up to $1,200 per eligible individual, up to $2,400 for a married couple filing jointly, and an additional $500 per dependent child
- Second stimulus payment: up to $600 for eligible single individuals, up to $1,200 for married taxpayers filing jointly, and an additional $600 per dependent child
Stimulus Checks and Timing
Stimulus payments were actually just advanced payments of the Recovery Rebate Credit, provided by the U.S. government in response to COVID-19.
Three rounds of stimulus checks have been paid out, with the amounts you were eligible to receive varying depending on your filing status and other factors.
You'll most likely get your Recovery Rebate Credit as part of your tax refunds, which can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks to receive, depending on the filing options you chose and the accuracy of the information.
Making a mistake on your tax return can cause delays and prolong the wait for your refund, but you can receive your payment faster through direct deposit into your bank account, prepaid debit card, or mobile app.
Stimulus Checks
Stimulus Checks were actually just advanced payments of the Recovery Rebate Credit, designed to get money into taxpayers' hands quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. government provided three rounds of stimulus checks.
The amounts you were eligible to receive varied depending on your filing status and other factors.
When Will I Get It?
You're probably eager to know when you'll receive your Recovery Rebate Credit. It usually takes between 3 to 8 weeks to get your refund, depending on the accuracy of the information and the filing options you chose.
Making a mistake on your tax return can cause delays, so it's essential to double-check your information. Any errors, including those related to calculating the recovery rebate credit, can prolong the wait for your refund.
You can receive your payment faster through direct deposit, which can deposit your refund into your bank account, prepaid debit card, or mobile app.
Direct deposit is a convenient option, and it's worth considering if you want to get your money quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my 2020 recovery rebate credit?
To calculate your 2020 recovery rebate credit, use your 2020 tax information, including filing status, number of qualifying children, and adjusted gross income, to determine the credit amount. The credit is based on the difference between the full stimulus payment and what you received.
What is the income limit for the recovery rebate credit 2020?
The income limit for the Recovery Rebate Credit in 2020 is $150,000 for joint filers, $112,500 for head of household, and $75,000 for single filers or married filing separately. If your AGI exceeds these limits, your credit may be reduced or phased out.
Sources
- https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-relief/what-is-the-recovery-rebate-credit-and-am-i-eligible/L3pAVU4it
- https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/irs-nonfilers-must-claim-2020-recovery-rebate-credit-by-may-17/
- https://1040abroad.com/blog/dont-miss-out-a-guide-to-recovery-rebate-credit-for-u-s-expats/
- https://www.investopedia.com/recovery-rebate-credit-5090493
- https://www.drakesoftware.com/taxing-subjects/time-running-out-to-file-for-recovery-rebate-credit/
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