My stumulus check was 900. i was expecting 1500. what should i recieve?

Question

i was in iraq for the surge. im married with one child. we filed jointly in march. all my deployed pay for the last 15 months was untaxed.

Answer 1

Why were you expecting 1500? Shouldn't you have been expecting 1200? Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter, I don't know I guess.

Answer 2

It sounds like you got $600 total for you and your spouse, plus $300 for a child, since you qualified for a payment but didn't have the required $1200 in tax liability to get the maximum of $1200.  Showing the non-taxable combat pay on line 40b of form 1040A or 66b of form 1040 might have given you more, and while most items on an amendment don't change the stimulus payment, this might.  If not, you might get a tax break next year when you file, since you didn't get the maximum amount this year.

Good luck.  And by the way, thanks for your service, glad you're back safe.

Answer 3

The combat pay, if over $3,000, qualifies you and your spouse for the minimum payment.  That amounts to $300 for you, $300 for your spouse, and $300 for your child.

You could have received $1,500 if you owed tax of at least $1,200.  This would have to be from income other than your combat pay.

If you owed tax of $600 or less, your payment is $900.

If you did not include your combat pay on your return, including it on an amendment will make no change in your stimulus payment, since it will not increase the tax owed.