Our highest priority is keeping Arizonans healthy, safe, and economically secure.

Arizonans: the fastest way to get assistance or info. from our office is to email casework@sinema.senate.gov.

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UPDATE (3/12/2021): The IRS and Treasury Department have begun issuing the third stimulus payments (also known as Economic Impact Payments or EIPs). For more information about these payments, go to the IRS website HERE.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law, providing essential public health and economic resources to Arizona and the country. This new law provides a third stimulus payment of up to $1,400 for qualified individuals with Social Security Numbers. Payments would be based on 2019 or 2020 tax returns and these stimulus payments will be considered 2021 tax rebates. Qualifying dependents with Social Security Numbers will be eligible for stimulus payments, even if their parent or guardian files their taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Unlike the previous two stimulus payments, these stimulus payments are not protected from garnishment as the other payments were.

  • Individuals making up to $75,000 will qualify for the full $1,400, and the payments will phase out completely for people making $80,000. Income levels for the third payment are different from the first and second payments.
  • Heads of Households making up to $112,500 will qualify for full payments, and the payments will phase out completely for households making $120,000. Income levels for the third payment are different from the first and second payments.
  • Couples filing jointly making up to $150,000 will qualify for the full $2,800, and the payments will phase out completely for households making $160,000. Income levels for the third payment are different from the first and second payments.
  • Child dependents, full-time students under age 24, and adult dependents will also qualify for $1,4000 payments. Eligibility rules for the third payment are different from the first and second payments.
  • Individuals who receive Social Security (retirement or disability), Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or are a veteran receiving Compensation and Pension (C&P) payments from the VA do not need to take any action to receive their stimulus payment.

IRS’ Get My Payment Online Tool: Arizonans are now able to check the status of the third stimulus payment by using the Get My Payment tool, available in English and Spanish only on IRS.gov.

The IRS has also answered some Frequently Asked Questions about the 2021 direct payments HERE. The IRS website is the best place to get the most updated information.

The IRS will be distributing stimulus payments to qualified individuals (with Social Security numbers) through direct deposit, paper checks, or mailed debit cards. The Get My Payment Tool will show the date your payment was mailed - so it may take another 3-4 weeks to arrive. Mailed payments will require more processing and mailing time than payments delivered by direct deposit. Please check your mail carefully to ensure checks and debit cards do not get thrown away. 

What Does the Debit Card Look Like? Per the IRS: “The Economic Impact Payment Card will be sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. It has the Visa name on the front of the Card and the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. on the back of the card. Information included with the card will explain that this is your Economic Impact Payment. More information about these cards is available at EIPcard.com.”

Didn’t Get the Full First and Second Payments? Claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit

If you didn’t get the full amount of the first or second Economic Impact  Payments, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return even if you don’t normally file. The third Economic Impact Payment will not be used to calculate the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.

For people who received a partial Economic Impact Payment, they can take the Recovery Rebate Credit for any remaining amount they’re eligible for by completing line 30 of the 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

For those who were eligible for direct stimulus payments, but did not receive or did not receive the correct amount, the IRS will be providing further instructions on how to claim missing payments when filing your 2020 taxes. Eligible individuals will be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR. These forms can also be used by people who are not normally required to file tax returns but are eligible for the credit. More information about Recovery Rebate Credits can be found on the IRS website HERE.

Don’t normally file tax returns but missing your First and/or Second Payments? Claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020 tax return, even if they don't usually file, to provide information the IRS needs to send payments for a qualified dependent. Eligible individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional payment for their qualified dependent as quickly as possible.

People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal benefits may qualify for these payments. But you will need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return.

Free tax return preparation is available for qualifying people.

For more information about stimulus payments, please visit the IRS website HERE.

PREVIOUS STIMULUS PAYMENTS (12/21/2020): On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the most recent bipartisan coronavirus relief package to provide further health and economic relief. As a part of that bill, U.S. residents (with a Social Security number) with adjusted gross incomes of up to $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for heads of households, and $150,000 for married couples will receive a second stimulus payment. Most will receive the second stimulus payment in the same manner (direct deposit, check, or prepaid card) that they received the first stimulus payment using 2019 tax information. Individuals will receive up to $600, married couples will receive up to $1,200, and child dependents will receive $600 each. The amount of the second stimulus phases out for higher incomes, with a $5 reduction for every $100 of income over the threshold. More information as it becomes available from the IRS will be posted on their website.

Individuals who receive Social Security (retirement or disability), Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement Board benefits, or are a veteran receiving Compensation and Pension (C&P) payments from the VA do not need to take any action to receive their second stimulus payment. Please note that if you have been claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer (for example, your adult children), you are not eligible for any stimulus payment. 

As a part of this new bipartisan bill, U.S. residents with Social Security numbers living in mixed status households will be newly eligible to receive both the CARES Act stimulus payments and the 2nd stimulus payments. For example, married taxpayers filing jointly where one spouse has a Social Security Number and one spouse does not are eligible for a payment of $600, in addition to $600 per child with a Social Security Number. Only U.S. residents with Social Security numbers and qualifying dependent children with Social Security numbers will be eligible for stimulus payments. More information as it becomes available from the IRS will be posted on their website.

(11/30/2020): If you require assistance with your Economic Impact Payment (EIP, otherwise known as a stimulus payment), please call the EIP Hotline at 800-919-9835. Due to the high volumes of calls, you may experience long wait times. If you did not receive a direct payment in 2020 from the CARES Act and you met eligibility criteria, you will be able to claim it and missing dependent payments on your 2020 taxes when you file your federal taxes in early 2021. For more information, please visit the IRS page HERE. 

For those who were eligible for direct stimulus payments, but did not receive or did not receive the correct amount, the IRS will be providing further instructions on how to claim missing payments when filing your 2020 taxes. Eligible individuals will be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 Form 1040 or 1040-SR. These forms can also be used by people who are not normally required to file tax returns but are eligible for the credit. More information about Recovery Rebate Credits can be found on the IRS website HERE.

The IRS is warning of new scams designed to trick people seeking their stimulus payments into disclosing personal and bank account information. If you get a suspicious text, please take a screenshot of the text message, and send an email to phishing@irs.gov to report it. More information on the IRS website HERE. 

  • Many constituents have asked if this rebate check would impact 2020 tax refunds and the answer is: no. These payments are called advanced rebates, but your 2020 tax return and any refund you’re due when you file a return in early 2021 will not be affected by the check you’re getting now.
  • For the latest information, please click HERE for the latest IRS update. 
  • For more information and eligibility questions, please visit the IRS page HERE. 

​​​​​​​Potential Scams:

  • In recent months, there have been a number of reports of criminals and bad actors trying to steal your direct stimulus payment. If you believe you have been subject to a scam, you may report it with the IRS HERE, and you may also file a consumer complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s office HERE.
  • The IRS is warning of new scams designed to trick people seeking their stimulus payments into disclosing personal and bank account information. If you get a suspicious text, please take a screenshot of the text message, and send an email to phishing@irs.gov to report it. More information on the IRS website HERE. 
  • There have been some reports of nursing homes or assisted living facilities intercepting residents’ direct payment checks. If you believe this has happened to you or a loved one, you are encouraged to file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Health Services at 602-542-1000.

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Federal coronavirus-response legislation: click HERE.

Specific actions Kyrsten is taking on behalf of Arizona: click HERE.

Visit our main resources page: sinema.senate.gov/corona.