Eligibility for Stimulus Checks in 2024: A Guide for Lone Individuals

There has been a lot of confusion regarding the eligibility for stimulus checks, especially for those who are long-term unemployed and have never filed taxes. Whether your 25-year-old brother is eligible for a stimulus check depends on his tax filing status and whether he can be claimed as a dependent by another individual. This article aims to clarify the eligibility criteria and provide guidance for those who need to file their taxes for the first time.

Understanding Stimulus Checks and the IRS Guidelines

As of 2024, everyone is eligible for a stimulus check of $0.00. This includes individuals who have lived by alternative facts or have spread misinformation. It's important to note that the information you may have heard or read is often a scam. The benefits and eligibility are governed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and federal law.

Eligibility for Unemployed Individuals

Your 25-year-old brother, who has never worked or filed taxes, is not inherently disqualified from receiving a stimulus check. However, his eligibility depends on several key factors:

His tax filing status Whether he can be claimed as a dependent by another individual

If he is not claimed as a dependent by another person, he is eligible to receive a stimulus check. The IRS has made provisions for non-filers through a dedicated portal on their website.

Steps for First-Time Filers

Keith Barton, a knowledgeable expert, has provided a helpful link to the IRS’s Non-Filers portal. Your brother should visit this page to file his taxes and potentially receive a stimulus check:

Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here

Here are the steps your brother should follow:

Visit the Non-Filers Portal on the IRS website. Follow the instructions to file his information. Submit the necessary information to register for a potential stimulus check.

Understanding Dependent Status and Stimulus Check Eligibility

For those who live alone and have never worked, there is no minimum income requirement to receive a stimulus check. Even an individual with zero income can file a 2019 tax return and still receive $1200. However, if your brother could be claimed as a dependent by another individual (such as a parent), he would not be eligible for the stimulus check.

Dependents are typically defined as individuals who:

Live with someone all year as a member of their household. Make less than $4200 in the year of the stimulus check.

If your brother lives in one place all year and makes less than $4200, he is likely to be considered a dependent and therefore not eligible for the stimulus check. However, if he lived with different people at different times, he would not meet the dependent criteria and could potentially receive a check.

Conclusion

Stimulus checks are available to most individuals in the United States, regardless of their income level or employment status. The key is understanding dependant status and whether your brother can be claimed by someone else. If he is not a dependent, he can file a tax return through the Non-Filers portal and potentially receive a stimulus check.

For further information, please consult the IRS website for the most up-to-date details.