If you are married filing jointly and you filed an injured spouse claim with your 2019 tax return (or 2018 tax return if you haven’t filed your 2019 tax return), half of the total payment will be sent to each spouse and your spouse’s payment will be offset only for past-due child support. There is no need to file another injured spouse claim for the payment. For more information about this, please contact the IRS at IRS.Gov.
When Will the Stimulus Payments be Intercepted?
According to the federal government, the stimulus checks will start being directly deposited into the accounts of citizens sometime around mid-April. Payments that are subject to interception for past-due child support will be sent to the Wyoming Child Support Program, State Disbursement Unit who will distribute them.
If you have any questions, please contact your caseworker or local child support office. You can find the complete list of office contact information on our LOCATIONS page. You can can also use our CONTACT US form as well.
Are the Checks Subject to Offset for Past Due Child Support?
The stimulus payments are subject to interception for past-due child support. The CARES legislation specifically left in place the same language that applies to IRS offset payments that child support programs are required to intercept and apply to past due child support.
What are the Stimulus Checks?
The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) provides economic stimulus payments to American families who meet certain financial thresholds. The act provides payments of up to $1,200.00 for adults who file a single tax return with an annual income of $75,000.00 or less and $2,400 for families filing joint returns who have a combined income of $150,000.00 or less. The payments are reduced for parents who make more than these amounts and are completely phased out for single filers who make about $99,000.00 and joint filers who make above $198,000.00.
What do I do if I’m afraid for my safety, or the safety of my child, during a quarantine for COVID-19?
There are resources available to help families facing domestic violence, including:
- The Wyoming Coalition Against DV/SA: https://www.wyomingdvsa.org/
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7, free, confidential, in over 200 languages) is 800-799-7233.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has resources on preparing your family for the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
My employees are working reduced hours. How do I withhold child support if their paycheck is reduced?
Withhold the full amount based on the pay period frequency, subject to the withholding limits explained in the income withholding order.