Question on third stimulus checks in MA (Boston: credit, house)

[Riverbed720]

Sorry if this is a silly question, I tried reading up on the announcement of a third stimulus check but I guess I'm still a little confused. So are we 100% getting it now, for people that qualify in MA? Or does it still need to be negotiated in the house?

So say I'm single and make under 50k, I should in theory get $1,400? What about married couples, would they get $2,800 if under 100k? Also what about single moms (under 50k) with a child?

Thanks for any clarification!

[bostongymjunkie]

Biden has indicated he would not sign a bill under $1400, but Congress has not yet drafted legislation on this. There appear to be about 10 House Republicans who propose a lesser amount to about 1K. However, the House did approve a budget resolution the language of which would allow whatever stimulus bill Congress proposes to be passed without threat of filibuster and based on simply majority vote. I am guessing the income provisions will be largely what they were for rounds 1 and 2.

[Riverbed720]

Thank you!

[yesmaybe]

Didn't sound like they were going to send the bill to Biden until March anyway so it's going to be some time.

[jtolpin]

Last I <really> read, I was looking at $1400 for me, wife, and 3 kids (2 in college, 1 in high school - all dependants on my taxes)

We make under $150K combined.

Anything could change though.

[mdovell]

One thing I've heard debate is what income they take the base from. 2020 or 2019. This might lead some to do taxes much earlier and I hope the IRS isn't backlogged with this and taxes this year. many people (including myself) didn't get refunds until much later.

[jtolpin]

Im up the creek this year for my 2020 taxes. I got a bonus (and didnt withhold enough) and wife and I both collected unemployment (although taxes were taken out, certainly not enough)

And my oldest daughter was on unemployment as well (so yeah - we will pay hers too)

[massnative71]

I'm hoping 2019 too.

[BostonMike7]

I was under the impression that it would be some time before we see any 3rd payment. The terms also seem to be changing as well in terms of income limits and such. Every day, it's a new plan.

I actually wish there was a way to opt out with some sort of credit.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I was under the impression that it would be some time before we see any 3rd payment. The terms also seem to be changing as well in terms of income limits and such. Every day, it's a new plan.

I actually wish there was a way to opt out with some sort of credit.

I've been reading March. It will be part of the budget reconciliation process which is how the Trump tax cuts got through the Senate. Right now, there is a lot of "Republicans denounce...." news. The usual thing out of a minority party. Four years ago, it was "Democrats denounce...." news. It's already been removed from a possibility of Senate filliibuster so it's a matter of getting Manchin or one of the moderate Republican Senators to vote for it to get to 50/50. Impeachment got in the way. There is overwhelming middle class support for $1,400 so it's hard to imagine that changing. Hard to predict the outcome with the means testing part. $150k household income is kind of bad optics even though it doesn't impact the bottom line much. $100k household income is 77th percentile in West Virginia. 80th in Mississippi. 73rd in Alabama. 72nd in Montana. 70th in Wyoming. The red states have a very different perception of what rich people earn than the high cost of living states. $100k household income is 55th percentile in Massachusetts. Smack dab in the middle of middle class.


So I think the means testing will be a bit tighter but it will be $1,400.