URGENT: US Expats in Brazil – Claim Your Stimulus Payments NOW with This Simple Guide

Suppose you are an American citizen or Green Card holder residing in a foreign country. In that case, you may wonder if you are still eligible for Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks. The answer is often yes; you are!

Are US expatriates eligible for stimulus payments?

Your adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status are the major eligibility requirements for getting a stimulus check. Full eligibility is typically granted to singles with an AGI under $75,000 and couples filing jointly with an AGI under $150,000. But what happens if your income exceeds these limits? In such instances, the stimulus amount you receive begins to decrease.

Additional criteria determine your eligibility. You must have a Social Security number and be listed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. The IRS reports that most eligible individuals have already received their Economic Impact Payments. If you have not filed your 2020 or 2021 tax returns, you can still claim any missed payments. You must claim the first and second stimulus payments on your 2020 federal tax return. The deadline for this is May 17, 2024. The third stimulus payment should be claimed on your 2021 U.S. federal tax return, due by April 18, 2025.

Getting stimulus checks when abroad:

If you are not in the United States, you may be curious about how the IRS will distribute your stimulus payment. The agency generally uses the direct deposit information from your most recent tax return to transfer the monies. If this information is not available, a paper check will be mailed to the most current address on file. The amount you’ll receive is determined by several criteria, including your income and the number of dependents you declare. As of March 2023, the IRS had issued the first, second, and third Economic Impact Payments. If you did not receive the entire third payment, you may be eligible for a 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2021 federal tax return.

Is filing a US tax return required for stimulus eligibility?

Filing a tax return is required. The IRS uses your tax return information to determine your stimulus money eligibility. Failure to file a tax return for the previous year may result in missing these monies. However, for non-filers due to low income and not required to file a tax return, there is another option. You can still obtain your stimulus payment using the IRS’s Non-Filers service. Be aware of the IRS’s precise deadlines for claiming any unclaimed funds.