A stimulus check is a payment authorized by the U.S. government to help cope with the financial impact of the economy by providing consumers with some spending money. The stimulus checks are treated as a tax credit.
- Stimulus check calculator
- Stimulus check eligibility
- Who will get the 3 stimulus check?
- Why have I not received my 3rd stimulus check?
- How do I know if I got a stimulus check?
- When can I expect my stimulus check?
- When was the 2nd stimulus check sent out?
- How much is the 1st stimulus check?
This means your payment will not impact the benefits you receive now or in the future. Taxpayers receive this money because it’s intended to boost consumption and drive revenue at retailers and manufacturers, spurring the economy.
Understanding a Stimulus Check
Stimulus checks have been mailed out to U.S. taxpayers on several occasions. These checks vary in amount according to the taxpayer’s filing status. Joint taxpayers generally receive twice as much as those filing singly. In some instances, those who had unpaid back taxes saw their stimulus checks automatically applied to their outstanding balance.
Research posted on the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that the means of delivery of fiscal stimulus makes a difference to the overall spending patterns of consumers. Implementing fiscal stimulus by sending checks resulted in an increase in consumer spending activity. However, applying tax credits equal to the amount of money provided in a stimulus check did not result in an equivalent increase in consumer spending activity.