If you have children, they may earn you an additional $300 each this year. That's because the economic stimulus package allows for an additional payment for each qualifying child in your household.
How will I know if my children qualify?
The IRS has some basic requirements. First the child has to have a valid SSN (Social Security Number). Second the child must have been younger than 17 at the end of 2007.
From the IRS Stimulus Site :
Additional Amounts for Qualifying Child: If you qualify for the basic amount, you may receive an additional $300 for each qualifying child. To qualify, a child must be younger than age 17 and have a valid Social Security number.
Children Born in 2008 Don't Qualify for the Stimulus Payment
Again, the child has to be under 17 at the end of 2008. In other words they must have been 16 years old on December 31st, 2007.
If your child was born this year, there is no way for them to qualify stimulus payment this year. The IRS has no way of knowing your child even exists until you file your 2008 taxes next year. However, your child can qualify for the payment next year.
Make Sure You Claim Your Credit Next Year
If you didn't get a payment for a child this year, you may be eligible for the credit or payment next year. The IRS will include a worksheet with each tax return. You should complete that tax return to check your eligibility for a credit or payment.
Your Children Only Qualify If You Qualify
You have to meet the minimum requirements for the stimulus payment. If you don't meet these requirements, your children aren't eligible for the payment.
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Comments
12 Comments so far
My husband and I were supposed to get a total of $1500 as our payment. $1200 for filing jointly and $300 for our daughter that was born last year. We got our check ontime, however, it was only $600!! Why is that??
Arzanna,
How do you know you were supposed to get $1500? Did you use the IRS payment calculator at http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/ ?
My other half takes care of my daughter from another relationship,and me,I dont work,therefor he claimed both of us,and isnt eligible for money for eaither of us,b/c we arent married,and she isnt legally his!?That just doesnt seem fair!?
Faith,
You're right it doesn't seem fair.
my friend lets her sister claim her 3 children on her taxes she gets a good size refund for them will she get the 300$ for the children on her stimulus check
Why is my 17 year old getting ripped off? He works but we claim him as a dependent. So either way he gets NOTHING????? Why is that age group being left out? They spend the most!
Dee I'm with you on the 17 year old. Mine is 22 and in college and working. I can claim her as my dependent but she too got nothing nor did we as her parents!
That whole under 17 rule for the Child Credit rots! Aren't you responsible for that child until they are legally an adult at 18?
IRS what gives?
I agree with Dee and Sheila. I am 22 and I work and go to school full time. My parents still claim me so I am covered under their health plan. I didn't get money because I was claimed and neither did my parents because I am over 17. Its a ripoff. I wonder how much the government saved with screwing what seems to be a certain age group out of money along with their parents. I know a lot of people that were pretty ticked off. This whole idea seems to be a big joke. I don't understand how this so called "plan" is going to help stimulate anything especially the economy. Most people that I have talked to said the money was going towards bills they already have not new ones they want to create.
I am a single mother, I made 17,500 last year and I got my check but it was only for me, $600? My 15-year-old qualifies, so are we expecting an additional check? Or did I just get screwed??? No one else claims her.
Claudia,
That sounds right. With your income you wouldn't have much of a tax liability so the maximum you qualify for is $300. Then you received $300 for you child. The letter the IRS sent you should have explained it.
I would like to know what government cabinet member decided to say.. OH an another Thing, lets throw in there, if the kid is 16 and under they qualify. 17 and over Too bad. even though these kids will be out in the work force soon trying to restore for us, our Social Security Dump. It should have been if the child is still living in household, being claimed by parent and going to college, they for sure should have been included in this stimulus package. Another backward step in our United States Government, towards poor mankind. Yes we were screwed with having a daughter turn 18 in April of 08.
My sister kicked me n my 2 girls out on the street last november, after i had used my money to pay the bills- with no money n no place to go. Then she claimed my girls on her taxes! Now I'm struggling with my girls n retired mom, who lives with us and helps me support my girls, and my SISTER got the 600.00 for my girls! Why didn't they do stimulus seperately??? Why is my sister getting rewarded when she literally put my children on the street?? We lived with her but I paid 300.00 every month, we bought our own food- I paid for half the clothes washer, the phone, the tv n many other things along with my elderly mom. My mom should have been able to get that money- not my sister. I'm also PO'd that because I get SSI- I'm not entitled. Hello? Why did SSI get left out? If I could work I would.
I'm mostly upset that my sister has gotten that money.
Can she do this?? I believe there is nothing I can do. We did live with her for 10 months, but why is she entitled to the stimulus?? It isn't fair that she is still managing to hurt my girls after she put them out on the street. My girls need clothes for school, and supplies. My mom's car needs brakes really badly, yet my sister claimed my girls when I would have had my mom claim them since she has lived with my girls and I and helped support them since 2001. I'd have rather my mom get that stimulus, not my sister.
Now I understand a 2nd stimulus may come thru- and my sister will get this as well?!?
Isn't there any way to stop my sister from getting this money?
All comments welcome