#Roommates, as many Americans anxiously await their forthcoming government stimulus check payment, there are a growing number of people who are unlikely to receive it. According to new reports, seniors receiving social security along with high school and college students, may find themselves out of luck.
@WashingtonPost reports, that the Trump administration is requiring senior-age Americans who receive social security to file a tax return to receive their $1,200 economic stimulus check, which is an added step that most senior citizens have argued shouldn’t be necessary to receive payment—and potentially keep them from receiving the financial relief. Additionally, several lawmakers and advocates for the poor say filing a tax return shouldn’t be required for those on social security because the government knows how to send them monthly checks already. The requirement also states that if someone has not filed a 2019 or 2018 tax return, the U.S. Treasury should still get their information from social security.
However, seniors on social security aren’t they only ones who could potentially miss out. Most high school seniors and college students won’t get any money at all because the stimulus bill provides nothing to families for children older than 16. Meaning that 17 and 18-year-olds in high school and college-age students who are claimed on their parents tax returns, will not receive payment. Immigrant families face similar hurdles, as each immigrant family member (regardless of age) must have a valid social security number to receive payment.
Regarding the payment stipulations, the IRS had this to say:
“People who typically do not file a tax return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment. Low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and individuals with disabilities who are otherwise not required to file a tax return will not owe tax.”
More than 15 million Americans on social security don’t file annual tax returns because their income is so low, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. During the last recession, when the U.S. government sent most Americans a stimulus check and required a filed tax return to get it, 3.5 million Social Security recipients were left out because they never sent a return.
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
