Is There an Idaho Stimulus Check Coming in 2024?

If you’re looking for an Idaho stimulus check to ease your financial burden, taking advantage of the state’s tax credits can be a good substitute. While these are not stimulus programs, they can provide some tax relief if you’re facing financial hardship.

Another option is to apply for assistance programs offered by the federal government if you need help with food, housing, or healthcare. Read on to learn more about tax credits, how they work, which ones are available in Idaho, and how much you can get.

Is There a Stimulus Check in 2024 for Idaho?

There are no new stimulus checks for Idaho residents in 2024. After the three Economic Impact Payments that were issued during the coronavirus pandemic, President Biden and Congress have no plans for any additional payments through the American Rescue Plan or the CARES Act.

Keep in mind that any news of a fourth round of stimulus checks you may come across on social media is false since official sources have not shared any new stimulus updates.

Idaho Stimulus Check 2024

Idaho doesn’t have a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). However, you can still claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

Idaho also has a Grocery Tax Credit that can help you offset the sales tax you pay on groceries. These, and any federal tax credits you qualify for, can help you lower your tax obligations.

“This reduction in income tax obligation through the use of tax credits is essentially the same as the state government of Idaho sending out a one-time stimulus payment to residents who qualify,” says Brad Reichert, the founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC. “The funds come from the same place, which is the state’s Department of Revenue,” he adds.

How do Idaho Stimulus Checks Work?

Tax credits can lower your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. While these aren’t stimulus programs for seniors or low-income individuals, they can provide some much-needed tax relief to those who need it the most.

Tax credits can be refundable or non-refundable. You won’t get a check for the excess amount after your taxes owed are reduced to zero with a non-refundable credit. Non-refundable credits will only lower your taxes due to zero, but no further.  With a refundable credit, you can get a check for any surplus left over once your taxes are reduced to zero.

Who Is Eligible for Idaho’s Stimulus Checks?

You must meet these eligibility requirements to claim the Idaho Child Tax Credit:

• You must have a qualifying child.
• The qualifying child must be age 16 or under on December 31, 2023.

For parents who don’t live together or are divorced, the qualifying child can be claimed by the custodial parent. The noncustodial parent can only claim the child if:

• The court has awarded them the right to claim the child for taxes or
• The custodial parent has signed a written declaration allowing the noncustodial parent to claim the child.

To claim the Grocery Tax Credit, you must not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. You can’t qualify for the credit for any month for which:

• You received assistance from the food stamp program.
• You lived illegally in the U.S.
• You were incarcerated.

How Much Do You Receive and When

The Idaho Child Tax Credit is nonrefundable, and you can claim $205 per qualifying child.

You can claim the Grocery Tax Credit for each qualifying dependent living in Idaho. The credit is $120 each for you, your dependents, and your spouse. You can claim an additional $20 if you’re 65 or older as of December 31, 2023.

How To Track the Status of Your Idaho Stimulus Checks

You won’t get a separate Idaho stimulus check even if you claim tax credits. These credits are applied to your state income tax bill as a direct dollar-for-dollar offset of your state income taxes due if you qualify. However, you may qualify for a larger tax refund.

It may take 10 to 11 weeks to get your paper check and seven to eight weeks to receive a direct deposit in your bank account from the Idaho State Tax Commission if you’re an e-filer. If you haven’t received your refund within this expected timeline, you can use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the status online. You can learn more about the expected refund time frame for each tax year at tax.idaho.gov.

How To Apply for Idaho’s Stimulus Checks

You don’t need to do anything else other than file your personal income tax returns to claim tax credits. While you can use tax preparation software to file taxes, we recommend working with a tax professional to see which federal and state credits you qualify for to maximize your refund.

If you’re a low-income taxpayer and need help filing your taxes, we recommend checking to see if you qualify for the IRS’s free tax filing services like VITA, TCE, or Free File.

Get Financial Assistance in Idaho

While there are no new Idaho stimulus checks coming in 2024, there are other options available if you need financial help. Check to see if you qualify for tax relief through federal and state credits.

We also recommend exploring federal financial assistance programs like unemployment insurance, grocery support programs, housing, and healthcare benefits.

You can also explore enrolling in Idaho debt relief programs if you are facing financial difficulties due to unsecured debt like medical bills and high-interest credit card balances.

Visit our Utah stimulus checks, Montana stimulus checks, and Wyoming stimulus checks pages for information about programs you can apply for in those states.