Do you still qualify for tax rebate if you don't claim any income on taxes?

Question

my husband owns his own business and claims a loss on our taxes, does he still get 600 for the economy stimulant rebate, or do only i qualify

Answer 1

. . .assuming you file a joint return and you have some taxable income. . . maybe, maybe not. . . .it's the total return and tax liability

Answer 2

The MFJ return will look at the overall income of the tax return.  It did not require both of you to work...though, with the loss, do the two of you show $3000 of wage income left?

If yes, you may qualify of the $600 minimum ($300 each).  To qualify for more than $600, you had to have actually paid more than $600 in tax.

If you file two MFS returns, your husband's loss wouldn't qualify him.  Your return would be eligible for $300 and up to $600 if you paid more in tax.

Answer 3

In rare cases, a person with sufficient non-taxable "qualifying income" may qualify for a stimulus rebate check without claiming any taxable income.  This applies mainly to retired persons with substantial social security income.

If you and your husband file jointly, and have a combined positive income, because your income is more than his loss, you might get the full $1200.  If you file separately, then your income can offset his loss.

Answer 4

No, he doesn't.  If you file a joint return, and the total return shows a loss or less than $3000 in net qualifying income, then neither of you qualifies. On a joint return, either you qualify together for both of you, or neither of you qualifies.

If you have your own income of at least $3000 in qualifying income and file as married filing separately, you very possibly qualify.

Enter your info at http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/start.do to check whether you are eligible.