Second Stimulus Check Calculator - HEROES Act
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Compare historical legislative proposals for economic relief. Use this Second Stimulus Check Calculator – HEROES Act to estimate payment amounts under the House-passed HEROES Act proposal, featuring $1,200 payments per individual, $2,400 for joint filers, and expanded $1,200 dependent payments for up to 3 dependents (including adult dependents).
The Formula for HEROES Act Stimulus Payments
The HEROES Act (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act) proposed granting $1,200 per eligible adult plus $1,200 per dependent (capped at a maximum of 3 dependents per household):
Base Payout = ($1,200 × Eligible Adults) + ($1,200 × Min(3, Total Dependents))
Maximum Household Base Payout = $6,000 ($2,400 Married Joint + $3,600 for 3 Dependents)
Excess AGI = Max(0, Adjusted Gross Income - AGI Phaseout Threshold)
Phaseout Reduction = Excess AGI × 0.05
Net HEROES Act Payment = Max(0, Base Payout - Phaseout Reduction)
Where:
- Single Filer Threshold: $75,000 AGI phaseout start.
- Head of Household Threshold: $112,500 AGI phaseout start.
- Married Joint Threshold: $150,000 AGI phaseout start.
- Adult Dependents: Unlike enacted laws, HEROES Act included college students and adult dependents for $1,200 payments.
HEROES Act Proposed Payment Matrix
Refer to the lookup table below for proposed payment caps and complete phaseout cutoffs under the HEROES Act framework:
| Filing Status | Base Adult Payment | Max Household Payment (3 Dependents) | Phaseout Threshold | Complete Phaseout Cutoff (Max Household) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Filer | $1,200 | $4,800 ($1,200 + $3,600) | $75,000 AGI | $171,000 AGI |
| Head of Household | $1,200 | $4,800 ($1,200 + $3,600) | $112,500 AGI | $208,500 AGI |
| Married Filing Jointly | $2,400 | $6,000 ($2,400 + $3,600) | $150,000 AGI | $270,000 AGI |
Step-by-Step HEROES Act Calculation Example
Suppose a married couple filing jointly has an AGI of $170,000 and 3 eligible dependents (including 1 college student adult dependent):
- Calculate Base Household Payment: $2,400 adults + (3 dependents × $1,200) = $6,000 base payout.
- Determine Excess Income Over Threshold: $170,000 AGI – $150,000 joint threshold = $20,000 excess income.
- Calculate 5% Phaseout Reduction: $20,000 excess × 0.05 = $1,000 reduction.
- Calculate Net HEROES Act Stimulus Payment: $6,000 base payout – $1,000 reduction = $5,000 net check payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the HEROES Act stimulus check proposal?
The HEROES Act was a $3 Trillion coronavirus relief bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2020 that proposed granting $1,200 payments per individual and $1,200 per dependent up to a maximum of $6,000 per family.
Did the HEROES Act include college students and adult dependents?
Yes, major features of the HEROES Act proposal included expanding $1,200 dependent payments to include all dependents regardless of age, including college students and elderly adult dependents.
Did the HEROES Act become federal law?
No, while the HEROES Act passed the House of Representatives, it was not taken up by the Senate and did not become law. Congress later enacted the $900 Billion bill ($600 payments) in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan ($1,400 payments) in March 2021.
What was the maximum family payout under the HEROES Act?
The HEROES Act capped dependent payments at 3 dependents per household, making the maximum possible household stimulus check $6,000 ($2,400 for married joint filers plus $3,600 for 3 dependents).