CASH Act 2020 Calculator (Second Stimulus Check)

Calculate your potential payment under the CASH Act of 2020, which proposed $2,000 stimulus payments. Enter your filing status, income, and family size to see your estimated payment amount and eligibility status.

Historical Reference: The CASH Act was proposed in December 2020 as an amendment to increase stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000. While the full CASH Act did not pass as proposed, subsequent legislation provided additional stimulus payments. This calculator shows what payments would have been under the proposed CASH Act terms.

Your Information

Based on 2019 or 2020 tax return
Your AGI from most recent tax return
1 for single/HOH, 2 for married filing jointly
Children and other qualifying dependents

Your Stimulus Payment

Base Payment (Adults) $4,000
Dependent Payment $4,000
Total Before Phase-out $8,000
Phase-out Reduction $0
$8,000
Estimated Stimulus Payment
Full Eligibility

Payment Breakdown by Family Member

Compare with Other Stimulus Programs

CARES Act (March 2020)
$4,400
CASH Act (Proposed)
$8,000

Income Limits and Phase-out Thresholds

Filing Status Full Payment Up To Phase-out Begins Payment Ends At

Payment Distribution

Phase-out by Income

What Was the CASH Act of 2020?

The CASH Act (Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act) of 2020 was a bill proposed in December 2020 by the U.S. House of Representatives to increase the direct stimulus payments from $600 (as originally proposed in the December 2020 relief package) to $2,000 per person. The act aimed to provide greater financial relief to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposal came after President Trump called for larger stimulus checks, leading to a House vote that passed with bipartisan support. However, the Senate did not pass the bill in its original form, though subsequent legislation (the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) eventually provided $1,400 payments.

How the CASH Act Payment Was Calculated

Under the proposed CASH Act, payments were structured as follows:

Base Payment = $2,000 per individual
Married Couples = $4,000 ($2,000 each)
Per Dependent = $2,000 each

Total Payment = (Adults × $2,000) + (Dependents × $2,000) - Phase-out Reduction

Phase-out Mechanism

The payment phased out at a rate of 5% for every dollar of income above the threshold:

Phase-out Reduction = (AGI - Income Threshold) × 5%

Final Payment = Max(0, Total Payment - Phase-out Reduction)
Example Calculation:

Family: Married couple with 2 children
Income: $160,000 AGI
Income Threshold (MFJ): $150,000

Base Payment = (2 × $2,000) + (2 × $2,000) = $8,000
Income Above Threshold = $160,000 - $150,000 = $10,000
Phase-out = $10,000 × 5% = $500
Final Payment = $8,000 - $500 = $7,500

Income Thresholds by Filing Status

The CASH Act proposed the following income thresholds for full and reduced payments:

Filing Status Full Payment Threshold Payment Phases Out Completely At*
Single $75,000 $115,000 (no dependents)
Married Filing Jointly $150,000 $230,000 (no dependents)
Head of Household $112,500 $152,500 (no dependents)

*Phase-out endpoints increase with each dependent

Who Would Have Been Eligible?

Eligibility for CASH Act payments was based on:

Basic Requirements

Dependent Eligibility

Unlike the CARES Act which only covered dependents under 17, the CASH Act proposal included:

Comparison with Other Stimulus Programs

Feature CARES Act (March 2020) December 2020 Package CASH Act (Proposed)
Adult Payment $1,200 $600 $2,000
Child Payment $500 $600 $2,000
Adult Dependents Not included Not included $2,000
Phase-out Rate 5% 5% 5%
Single Threshold $75,000 $75,000 $75,000

How Payments Would Have Been Distributed

Similar to previous stimulus payments, distribution would have followed this process:

  1. Direct Deposit: Automatic payment to bank accounts on file with the IRS
  2. Paper Checks: Mailed to addresses on file for those without direct deposit
  3. Debit Cards: Some recipients would receive prepaid debit cards
  4. Social Security Recipients: Automatic payment without needing to file a return

Tax Implications

Key tax considerations for stimulus payments:

What Actually Happened

While the CASH Act passed the House, the Senate did not take up the bill before the end of the 116th Congress. However, the push for larger payments influenced subsequent legislation:

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the CASH Act actually pass?
The CASH Act passed the House of Representatives on December 28, 2020, with a vote of 275-134. However, the Senate did not vote on the bill, and it did not become law. The subsequent American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided $1,400 payments instead, which combined with the $600 payments from December 2020 equaled the $2,000 originally proposed.
What was the difference between CASH Act and CARES Act?
The CARES Act (March 2020) provided $1,200 per adult and $500 per child under 17. The CASH Act proposed $2,000 per person including all dependents regardless of age. The CASH Act would have provided significantly more money per family, especially for those with adult dependents.
Would college students have been eligible?
Yes, unlike the CARES Act which excluded adult dependents, the CASH Act included $2,000 payments for all dependents including college students claimed on their parents' tax returns. This was a significant expansion of eligibility.
Was the payment taxable?
No, like other stimulus payments, the CASH Act payment would not have been considered taxable income. It was structured as an advance on a refundable tax credit, meaning it would not increase your tax liability or reduce your refund.
What if my income changed between 2019 and 2020?
Eligibility would have been based on your most recent tax return on file (2019 or 2020). If your income dropped in 2020, you could have claimed the difference as a Recovery Rebate Credit when filing your 2020 taxes. If your income increased, you would not have been required to repay any excess payment received.
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