Coronavirus stimulus checks – which are designed to help jump start an economy adversely impacted by COVID-19 – started arriving this week.

The IRS launched a tool this week that will allow people to track their payments, much like the existing tool that lets people follow the status of their returns – and a similar tool which allows people who haven’t filed income tax in 2018 or 2019 to enter information and speed up their stimulus check processing.

The stimulus provides $1,200 for individuals earning up to $75,000 and $2,400 for married couples filing jointly who earn up to $150,000, the stimulus program also provides $500 for each qualifying child.

Eligible retirees – along with recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans’ benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return – will receive a payment.

There are some exceptions, however.                 

The IRS said taxpayers likely won’t qualify for stimulus funds if they:

• Can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. For example, this would include a child, student or older dependent who can be claimed on a parent’s return.
• Do not have a valid Social Security number.
• Are a nonresident alien.
• Filed Form 1040-NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR or Form 1040-SS for 2019

(AL.COM/www.al.com)