Stimulus Check Calculator - All 3 Rounds (EIP1, EIP2, EIP3)
This calculator covers all three rounds of U.S. Economic Impact Payments (EIP). Enter your filing status, adjusted gross income, and the number of qualifying dependents to see your estimated payment for each round. The tool shows the full phase-out math so you can see exactly how your amount was calculated.
What were the three rounds of stimulus checks?
The U.S. government issued three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) to help Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Round 1 (EIP1) came from the CARES Act in March 2020 and paid up to $1,200 per adult plus $500 per qualifying child under 17. Round 2 (EIP2) was enacted in December 2020 and paid up to $600 per adult and $600 per qualifying child under 17. Round 3 (EIP3) came from the American Rescue Plan in March 2021 and paid up to $1,400 per adult plus $1,400 for every dependent regardless of age, including adult dependents such as college students and elderly relatives.
How does the income phase-out work?
For EIP1 and EIP2, your payment was reduced by $5 for every $100 your AGI exceeded the threshold. For a single filer with EIP1, that meant payments started to phase out above $75,000 AGI and reached $0 at $99,000. EIP3 used a steeper linear phase-out: a single filer received the full amount at $75,000 or below, and received nothing at $80,000 or above, with a proportional reduction in between. Married filing jointly thresholds are exactly double the single thresholds, and head of household thresholds fall in between.
Who qualifies as a dependent?
For EIP1 and EIP2, only children under age 17 qualified for the additional $500 or $600 dependent payment. For EIP3, the rules changed significantly: all dependents claimed on your tax return qualify for the $1,400 payment regardless of age. This includes college students, adults with disabilities, and elderly parents who are claimed as dependents. If an adult was claimed as a dependent on someone else's return for EIP3, they were not eligible to receive a payment themselves and the person who claimed them received $1,400 on their behalf.
What is the Recovery Rebate Credit?
If you did not receive your full stimulus payment (or received nothing), you may have been able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return. For EIP1 and EIP2, the credit was claimed on the 2020 Form 1040. For EIP3, it was claimed on the 2021 Form 1040. The credit is refundable, meaning it could increase your refund or reduce taxes owed even if you had no income. The IRS used your most recently filed return to determine eligibility at the time payments were issued, so if your situation changed, the tax return was your chance to reconcile the difference.
Stimulus payment amounts by round
| Round | Law | Date | Per adult | Per dependent | Dependent age limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EIP1 | CARES Act | Mar 2020 | $1,200 | $500 | Under 17 only |
| EIP2 | Consolidated Appropriations | Dec 2020 | $600 | $600 | Under 17 only |
| EIP3 | American Rescue Plan | Mar 2021 | $1,400 | $1,400 | All ages (incl. adults) |
Maximum base amounts and per-dependent amounts for each Economic Impact Payment. Actual amounts depend on income phase-out rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum total stimulus payment across all three rounds?
For a single filer with no dependents, the maximum combined total is $3,200 ($1,200 + $600 + $1,400). For a married couple filing jointly with no dependents, the maximum is $6,400 ($2,400 + $1,200 + $2,800). Each qualifying dependent added $500 for EIP1, $600 for EIP2, and $1,400 for EIP3. A family of four (two adults, two dependents) could receive up to $3,200 + $1,200 + $2,800 + 2 x ($500 + $600 + $1,400) = up to $11,400 in total.
Does AGI or gross income determine eligibility?
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is used, not gross income. AGI is calculated by subtracting certain deductions from your total income, including contributions to a traditional IRA, student loan interest, and alimony paid. You can find your AGI on line 11 of Form 1040. If you have pre-tax retirement contributions or other adjustments, your AGI may be meaningfully lower than your salary.
What year's tax return was used to calculate my stimulus payment?
For EIP1, the IRS used your 2019 return first, or your 2018 return if you had not yet filed. For EIP2 and EIP3, the IRS used your most recently filed return at the time of payment. The Recovery Rebate Credit on your actual tax return for that year allows you to reconcile if the payment was based on an earlier return that no longer reflects your situation.
Are stimulus payments taxable income?
No. All three rounds of Economic Impact Payments are not taxable income at the federal level, and in most states they are also not subject to state income tax. They do not reduce your refund or increase what you owe. Claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit also does not increase your taxable income.
I never received one of my stimulus payments. What can I do?
If you believe you were eligible but did not receive a payment, you could have claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return (for EIP1 and EIP2) or your 2021 tax return (for EIP3). The statute of limitations for amending a return is generally three years from the original due date, so it may still be possible to file an amended return. Contact the IRS directly or consult a tax professional for guidance on your specific situation.