Second Stimulus Check Calculator - HEROES Act
Estimate your potential second stimulus payment under the HEROES Act based on your filing status and dependents.
What This Calculator Does
This calculator estimates the size of a potential second stimulus payment under the HEROES Act, a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2020. It provides a rough projection based on your filing status, adjusted gross income, and number of dependents. The calculation follows the payment structure proposed in that specific legislation.
How the HEROES Act Payment Was Structured
The HEROES Act proposed a second round of Economic Impact Payments with a different structure than the first round under the CARES Act. Key features included:
- Base payment: $1,200 per eligible individual ($2,400 for married couples filing jointly).
- Dependent payment: $1,200 per dependent, with no cap on the number of dependents. This was a significant change from the CARES Act, which only provided $500 per qualifying child under 17.
- Income phaseout: Payments began to phase out at $75,000 of adjusted gross income (AGI) for single filers, $112,500 for head of household, and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
- Phaseout rate: Payments were reduced by 5% of the amount by which your AGI exceeded the threshold.
How to Use the Calculator
- Select your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household).
- Enter your adjusted gross income from your most recent tax return.
- Enter the number of dependents you claim. Under the HEROES Act, this includes all dependents, not just children under 17.
- Click calculate to see your estimated payment amount.
Understanding Your Results
The result shows the estimated payment you would receive under the HEROES Act formula. If your income exceeds the phaseout threshold, the payment is reduced proportionally. If your income is high enough, the payment may be reduced to zero.
Note that this is an estimate based on the proposed legislation. The HEROES Act was not signed into law, and the actual second stimulus payment that was eventually passed (the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) had different terms, including a $600 base payment and $600 per dependent child.
Key Differences From the CARES Act
Understanding the differences between the first and proposed second stimulus helps clarify the calculator's logic:
| Feature | CARES Act (First Payment) | HEROES Act (Proposed Second) |
|---|---|---|
| Base payment | $1,200 individual / $2,400 joint | $1,200 individual / $2,400 joint |
| Dependent payment | $500 per qualifying child under 17 | $1,200 per dependent (all ages) |
| Dependent cap | No cap | No cap |
| Phaseout start (single) | $75,000 AGI | $75,000 AGI |
| Phaseout start (joint) | $150,000 AGI | $150,000 AGI |
Limitations of This Estimate
This calculator reflects the HEROES Act as proposed. Several factors may affect the accuracy of the estimate:
- The HEROES Act was not enacted. The actual second stimulus payment followed different rules under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
- The calculator does not account for non-filer scenarios or individuals who receive Social Security, SSDI, or other federal benefits.
- It assumes a straightforward tax situation without adjustments or credits that might affect AGI.
- Dependents are counted at the full $1,200 rate regardless of age, which differs from the CARES Act's child-only restriction.
FAQ
Was the HEROES Act passed?
No. The HEROES Act passed the House of Representatives in May 2020 but was not taken up by the Senate. The second stimulus payment that was eventually signed into law came from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which provided $600 per eligible individual and $600 per dependent child.
Does this calculator work for the actual second stimulus payment?
No. This calculator uses the HEROES Act formula. For the actual second stimulus payment under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the base payment was $600 per individual and $600 per dependent child, with the same income phaseout thresholds.
Who counts as a dependent under the HEROES Act?
Under the HEROES Act, a dependent was defined broadly as anyone you could claim as a dependent on your tax return, regardless of age. This included children over 17, elderly parents, and other qualifying relatives. This was a major difference from the CARES Act, which only covered children under 17.
What income is used for the phaseout calculation?
The phaseout is based on your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your most recent tax return. For most people, this is line 11 on Form 1040. The calculator uses the AGI you enter to determine whether your payment is reduced or eliminated.