Economic Impact Payments

Economic Impact Payments (also known as CARES Act Stimulus Payments, or Stimulus Checks) –  payments that provide financial relief to qualifying individuals impacted by COVID-19.  These payments were authorized as part of an emergency stimulus package (CARES Act) signed into law by Congress.

Who can help me?

Many questions and confusion have arisen regarding this complicated issue and how it pertains to international students and scholars.  Everyone must make a decision that works best for their individual situation; everyone must also be prepared to provide a detailed explanation and relevant documentation supporting their decision as you will likely be asked as you seek future benefits or changes to your status.

The GEO Center and Colleges of the Fenway staff at Emmanuel, MassArt, MCPHS, Simmons and Wentworth are not tax advisors and cannot provide individual student guidance. However, we have prepared these commonly asked questions and resources to guide you.  

Detailed guide that answers most questions (prepared by Sprintax)

Live chat with tax experts:  We recommend you take advantage of our partnership with Sprintax.  They have tax experts on call 27 hours a day, 7 days a week through their “Live Chat” service!  https://www.sprintax.com/contact-us.html 

This is what you need to prepare before you chat with them to make the most out of your discussion:

  1. What (if any) tax forms you filed in 2018 and 2019 
  2. How long you have been in the U.S.
  3. Your current immigration status

Attend a Sprintax Open Webinar:

Wednesday, July 8st @ 12:00pm EDT

Frequently asked questions (pulled from IRS and Sprintax websites):

Q: How do I know if I am eligible or not for the Stimulus Check?

  • U.S. citizens and persons who are a qualifying resident alien with a valid SSN are eligible for the Payment only if they are qualifying resident aliens in 2020 and could not be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer for 2020. 
  • Under the federal law, persons who do not meet the IRS definition of “qualifying resident alien” are not eligible for the Stimulus Check.

Q: I received a Stimulus Check, but I am a “nonresident alien” and do not fit the IRS definition of a “qualifying resident alien”. What should I do now?

Generally there are two steps to this process:

  1. Return the refund to the IRS:  https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc161
  2. Correct past U.S. tax filings (as needed):
    • One of the most common reasons for receiving the payment erroneously is that you may have incorrectly filed a previous year tax form.  Here are some options:
      • Sprintax can help you amend your tax return.
      • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities.

Q: I am a “resident alien” for tax purposes and I received my Stimulus Check. Do I need to take any action?

  • If you meet the substantial presence test and are thus considered a resident alien for tax purposes (not the same as permanent resident with a green card) and have an SSN, it appears that you are eligible.
  • However, if you filed as a resident in 2018 or 2019, but left the United States before 2020, according to Sprintax, you are NOT eligible, and should follow the guidance for returning a refund to the IRS.

Q: I am a “resident alien” for tax purposes but I didn’t receive my Stimulus Check. How can I obtain my check?

Click here to return to the general tax Frequently Asked Questions

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