My stimulas check was only 600 - 300 for me, 300 for my son. why?

Question

i still don't get it. =\

how is tax liability determined?

Answer 1

most likely your tax liability was zero.   Meaning you didnt actually pay in any taxes.  When that happens, you get the lowest amount offered for the stimulus, which was 300 for adults.

Answer 2

Determining tax liability is what you do on the tax return you filed with the IRS.  The last line before payments you made (though withholding , etc) is "Tax Liability".

If you did not receive it yet, you should receive a notice soon stating how the IRS determined the amount of your stimulus payment.  There is also a link on the front page of the IRS website labeled "IRS Answers the Most Asked Rebate Questions".  Look there for more information.

Answer 3

Your net income tax liability is one of the following depending on which form you filed:

· On Form 1040, the amount shown on Line 57 plus the amount on Line 52;

· On Form 1040A, the amount shown on Line 35 plus the amount on Line 32; or

· On Form 1040EZ, the amount on Line 10.

Tax liability is basically how much tax you owed for the year, before the child tax credit or EIC was applied.  If your tax liability was $300 or less, then you'd be eligible for $300 for yourself for the stimulus payment.

Answer 4

Stimulus checks were $600 only if your tax liability was $600 or more.  Check line 44 if you filed a 1040 return.

The news stories just focused on the $600 and did not tell the whole story