vivid291

Hello all,

Hope everyone is keeping safe etc. I’m sure most of you have heard about this bill they’re trying to get passed that’s going to give most people the $1200 relief due to covid-19 but does anyone know if we, as immigrants, are eligible?
I’ve been here since December 30th 2019 on a CR1 and I just wonder, being as my husband has had to sign an affidavit of financial support and I wasn’t here last tax year, whether I’d be eligible for it. I could certainly use it being as I was meant to start a job that is now no longer happening due to enforced closures but haven't a clue if I or any of us would be allowed being as we’re not citizens.
Just curious to hear thoughts and opinions.
Many thanks in advance!

Rete

Your husband will get a check but not sure about you. Has he claimed you on his federal income tax or only filed married/separate? Supposedly the check will go to those who have filed federal taxes for 2019 and if not yet filed for 2019 then filed for 2018.

scrubbedexpat091

If only Canada would do something similiar, actually kind of surprised the US is doing this to be honest.

Jerseygirl

will you get a cheque J or is it only for those living in the US?

ss120396

As long as you have social security numbers, you'll qualify for the payment. You need to file a tax return if you haven't already. The IRS is going to put instructions on their website soon for filing "simple" tax returns that just give them your basic family and bank account information, if you don't have any income to report for 2019.

civilservant

You were here last tax year, as we already discussed in another thread.

How did your husband end up filing? MFSeperate? If so, you need to do the same immediately and supply bank information.

If it was MFJoint, then there's nothing you need to do. As long as he earned under $150k, you'll get the full $2,400.

Rete

I have not filed for 2019 and will NOT be filing before the crisis is over as Canada, the great white hope up north, has once again screwed up and not sent hubby his T-4's for filing. We can't file without it and we can't get anyone in the office in Quebec (which is where you have to call) to pick up the phone.

However, the feds will use the info on the 2018 tax returns for disbursement of the check.

vivid291

Thanks for your thoughts guys!
We filed a few days ago and thanks to suggestions and advice from this forum we ended up filing married filing jointly and declared my 2019 U.K. income so if that’s all the require then job’s a good’un!

civilservant

Excellent!

Assuming no kids and under $150k, you should get the full $2,400 when they start sending out the payments in a few weeks

scrubbedexpat091

I assume its just for those living in the US. I can't see the bill covering those living outside the US.

Jerseygirl

I hope you get a cheque. You have to file US taxes...therefore IMO you should benefit.

ss120396

US citizens abroad can get the checks. Rules are the same as for those living in the US: 2018 or 2019 tax return filed and income under the maximum threshold.

https://www.nytimes.com/article/coro...s-answers.html

Jerseygirl

great news for J.

scrubbedexpat091

I guess I will have to wait and see if a check shows up in the mail.

Presumably they wont be able to direct deposit into foreign accounts, and they don't have said accounts on file since I never owe nor get refunds so never provided account info, but they might have very old US account on file but that account is dead and has been closed since 2010, but they should know I am in Canada as I do send in the return each year.

steveyell

We are wondering this as well - we are even more recent arrivals - I arrived end of Jan on an L1-B and have a SSN, my wife and son arrived 3 days before the borders closed (both on L2).

I'm guessing we might not be able to fill in a blank 2019 Tax Return, as we were not actually in country until end of January - do people concur?