{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"The Story","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"In late March, lawmakers ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/2wvhVZU"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"reached an agreement","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" on the biggest stimulus package in US history. And you might be getting a check.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Who, me?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Maybe. If you made less than $75,000 in 2019 (or 2018 if you haven’t filed taxes this year), you should get $1,200. Plus $500 for each kid under 17. If you made more, you’ll get a little less. If you earn over $99,000, you won't qualify.\n\nSee how much you should get ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/2y8n1LP"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"here","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". Some money has already gone out, and the gov ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/2RCKU50"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"launched a tool","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" to help you see the status of yours.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Will I have to pay this money back?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Drumroll, please...nope. This one-time payment will not affect your 2019 or 2020 tax refund. And unlike unemployment benefits, you won’t have to pay income tax on it. If you get a sketchy email, call, or text asking for your bank info or to pay back some of the money, it’s probably a scam.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"What if I got paid less than I was expecting?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Yeah, apparently that’s a thing that’s happened. Look out for a follow-up letter from the IRS. They’re sending them to confirm everyone got what they were supposed to. Once you get your letter, call and tell the IRS about the mistake.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Any other money coming my way?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"The March stimulus package got more generous with ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://skimmth.is/2xo9YFW"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"unemployment benefits","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". If you lost your job, you'll get whatever your state usually pays for unemployment, plus an extra $600 per week through July. And those who aren't typically eligible for benefits including gig workers (think: Uber, Lyft drivers) and freelancers are covered.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"},{"type":"italic"}],"value":"Related","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"value":": ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/money/unemployment"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"value":"The 411 on Unemployment","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"I heard the law also makes it easier to take money out of your 401(k).","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"True. Usually early withdrawals mean you have to pay a 10% penalty, plus income taxes. Now, there's no penalty for up to $100,000 of retirement withdrawals if you can prove you've been impacted by the pandemic. You also get three years to pay the tax bill.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"So...should I withdraw some to live on now?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Taking money out of your retirement account should always be a \"last resort\" kinda move. Especially if stock prices are lower than when you first bought in. (Remember: buy low, sell high.)","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"If you can afford to keep up your regular contributions, do that. Money you invest today can add up to a LOT by the time you’re ready to retire, thanks to what’s called “compounding returns.” That’s when your money starts making its own money. Yes, please.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"theSkimm","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"The gov is trying to help people and businesses hurt by COVID-19 by loosening up some rules and mailing out money. If you got a stimulus check, think about the best way to use it. Psst...your ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/money/what-is-an-emergency-fund"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"emergency fund","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" says hi.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{"target":{"sys":{"id":"3SAp2AhvEsr8xhCUW4ITJp","type":"Link","linkType":"Entry"}}},"content":[],"nodeType":"embedded-entry-block"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}