Stimulus Payment (US)
Estimate your CARES Act stimulus payment by filing status, income, and dependents. Enter AGI for instant $1,200/$2,400 base payment with phaseout charts.
About This Calculator
The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) was a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. It provided direct financial assistance to American households through one-time stimulus payments, also known as Economic Impact Payments, to help mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify, you must be a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number and not be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.
This calculator estimates the direct stimulus payment you would receive under the CARES Act. Eligible individuals receive a base payment of $1,200 ($2,400 for married couples filing jointly), plus an additional $500 per qualifying child under age 17. The payment begins to phase out for higher-income households, with reductions applying at different thresholds based on filing status. The IRS used your 2019 or 2018 tax return to determine eligibility and payment amount.
The phaseout reduces the payment by $5 for every $100 of adjusted gross income above the applicable threshold. For single filers, the threshold is $75,000 with complete phaseout at $99,000. For married couples filing jointly, the threshold is $150,000 with complete phaseout at $198,000. For heads of household, the threshold is $112,500 with complete phaseout at $136,500. The CARES Act was the first of three rounds of stimulus, followed by the December 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act ($600 payments) and the March 2021 American Rescue Plan ($1,400 payments).
Use this calculator to quickly determine your stimulus payment amount by selecting your filing status, entering your annual income, and specifying the number of children under 17 in your household. The results show your base amount, dependent benefits, phaseout reduction, and final estimated payment. You can share your calculation via the URL, which automatically saves your inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CARES Act stimulus payment?
The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) was a $2.2 trillion economic relief package signed into law on March 27, 2020. It provided one-time stimulus payments of $1,200 per eligible individual, $2,400 for married couples filing jointly, and $500 per qualifying child under age 17.
How much stimulus payment will I get under the CARES Act?
Eligible individuals receive $1,200 ($2,400 for married couples filing jointly), plus $500 per qualifying child under age 17. Payments phase out by $5 for every $100 of income above $75,000 ($150,000 for married couples, $112,500 for heads of household). No payment is issued if income exceeds $99,000 for single filers, $198,000 for married couples, or $136,500 for heads of household.
How does the CARES Act stimulus phaseout work?
The CARES Act stimulus payment is reduced by $5 for every $100 of income exceeding the applicable threshold. For single filers, the phaseout begins at $75,000 AGI and phases out completely at $99,000. For married couples filing jointly, the phaseout begins at $150,000 and phases out at $198,000. For heads of household, the phaseout begins at $112,500 and phases out at $136,500.
What is the maximum CARES Act stimulus for a family?
A married couple with children could receive up to $2,400 base payment plus $500 per qualifying child under 17. For example, a married couple with 3 children earning under $150,000 would receive $2,400 + $1,500 = $3,900. There is no hard limit on the number of qualifying children, but each additional child adds $500 to the total.
Who is eligible for the CARES Act stimulus payment?
U.S. residents with a valid Social Security number who are not claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return are eligible. The payment is based on your 2019 or 2018 tax return. Even those with no tax liability and those on Social Security benefits are eligible. Non-resident aliens and individuals without a Social Security number are generally not eligible.
How are dependents counted in the CARES Act stimulus?
The CARES Act provides $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17. Unlike the later HEROES Act proposal, the CARES Act only counts children, not all dependents. The child must have a valid Social Security number and be claimed as a dependent on your tax return. There is no cap on the number of qualifying children.
What filing status should I use?
Use the same filing status you use on your federal tax return. Single filers receive a $1,200 base payment. Married couples filing jointly receive $2,400. Heads of household receive $1,200. The income phaseout thresholds vary by filing status: $75,000 for single, $150,000 for married filing jointly, and $112,500 for head of household.
Do I have to pay back the CARES Act stimulus payment?
No, the stimulus payment is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. It is a tax credit for the 2020 tax year that is advanced to taxpayers. The payment is also not considered taxable income, so you do not need to pay federal income tax on the amount received.