# Instead of payroll tax cut, Trump now plans to send checks directly to Americans, soon **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 17, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678 "2020-03-17T19:48:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/61 "2020-03-20T14:56:37Z")
> [@Mithril](#): > > When this kind of thing is proposed, I wish that there was a formula that was applied to make the salary cutoffs fair. Maybe the salary divided by the average rent for a one bedroom apartment in an area. One of the senators from South Dakota said that everybody would agree that $75,000 is the end of the middle class range, but as a person in Metro-Boston, I disagree. Using [this calculator](https://money.cnn.com/interactive/economy/middle-class-calculator/), I am in the bottom quarter of middle class but won’t qualify for the stimulus check. In South Dakota, I would be in the upper 10 percent. It’s been some time since I’ve dealt with this topic, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains data on geographic salary differentials. This is not a perfect way of dealing with this problem, but it’s a start. BTW, Mr. Middon and I have decided to call the payments Yang Checks. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/62 "2020-03-20T15:04:02Z")
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**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/63 "2020-03-20T16:24:48Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > That’s a pretty low cut-off. There’s not a single person I know, here in the Washington DC area, who will qualify at that low of a threshold. Of course. That’s the whole, entire point. Austerity for blue states, and socialism for red states (which already get more than their fair share). ---
**Author:** ![weizer2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbce88/32.png) [@weizer2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weizer2)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/64 "2020-03-20T18:52:44Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > How many millions of Americans now lack bank accounts, homes, mailing addresses, and incomes? I don’t know, why don’t you give us a break down? ---
**Author:** ![weizer2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbce88/32.png) [@weizer2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weizer2)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/65 "2020-03-20T19:03:39Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > I have no illusions this will happen, but they could set up a fund to deposit unclaimed and undeliverable checks. Use this fund to support food banks and homeless shelters. > > But it will never happen. There are many very wealthy celebrities whom could do help fund food banks. However, they chose to sing a song to lift peoples spirits. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/66 "2020-03-20T19:13:41Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > I await the kudos from the SDMB on how the Republicans are looking out for the less fortunate and sticking it to the salaried folks. I’m not so sure that they are. From what I’ve been seeing, people who were too poor to owe much federal income tax will get less, and people who were too poor to owe any – in other words, the people who need it most – may not get anything. Remember the 47%? ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/67 "2020-03-20T19:17:36Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > How many millions of Americans now lack bank accounts, homes, mailing addresses, and incomes? Many ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/68 "2020-03-20T20:54:30Z")
> [@weizer2](#): > > I don’t know, why don’t you give us a break down? I don’t know either, which is why I asked. Have you any information to offer? ---
**Author:** ![str8cashhomie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@str8cashhomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/str8cashhomie)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/69 "2020-03-20T22:53:28Z")
More problematic than the income cap is that [non-taxpayers will get less money, with a minimum of $600](https://thehill.com/policy/finance/488574-gop-senators-raise-concerns-over-smaller-checks-for-lower-earners) in the current GOP bill. It’s causing some internal divisions so we’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/70 "2020-03-20T23:31:29Z")
^^ May I just say, that \*\*straightcashhomie \*\*is the most appropriate username there could be in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/71 "2020-03-20T23:39:33Z")
It seems to me that this would make for a heckuva good incentive to fill out those census forms. And since this census was teetering on the precipice of disaster to begin with, now that they won’t be able to send crews door-to-door, getting a good count will be next to impossible. These checks could be just the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/72 "2020-03-20T23:54:16Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > ^^ May I just say, that \*\*straightcashhomie \*\*is the most appropriate username there could be in this thread. Oh, really? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![road\_lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@road\_lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/road_lobo)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/73 "2020-03-21T00:12:02Z")
> [@weizer2](#): > > I don’t know, why don’t you give us a break down? “A rhetorical question is a question you ask where you do not expect the answer, and you are rather asking to make a point.” from [Rhetorical Question Worksheets, Examples & Definition For Kids](https://kidskonnect.com/language/rhetorical-question/) ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/74 "2020-03-21T01:13:46Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > I remember getting a check then. I don’t think direct deposit was as much of a thing at that time. Everyone in my office was still taking our paycheck to the bank to deposit it every 2 weeks back then. > [@Velocity](#): > > …It’s $2,000 more than we would have gotten otherwise. Ex-fucking-zactly. Turns out I’m screwed. It’s based on your 2018 income. In 2018, I inherited quite a lot of money from my mother, and it pushes me above the amount to get the $1,200. But that’s the only year I’ve gained even HALF that amount. Now, I still have quite a lot of it, but you can’t live on capital forever, and I’m not working (unless my background check with Amazon Flex clears). I’m certainly not making anything like it THIS year. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/75 "2020-03-21T03:07:50Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Ex-fucking-zactly. > Turns out I’m screwed. It’s based on your 2018 income. In 2018, I inherited quite a lot of money from my mother, and it pushes me above the amount to get the $1,200. But that’s the only year I’ve gained even HALF that amount. Now, I still have quite a lot of it, but you can’t live on capital forever, and I’m not working (unless my background check with Amazon Flex clears). I’m certainly not making anything like it THIS year. Inheritances arent taxable? 😕 Income from what you got from the inheritance? ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/76 "2020-03-21T03:30:49Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Of course. That’s the whole, entire point. Austerity for blue states, and socialism for red states (which already get more than their fair share). Well, you answered Divemaster’s question; Dopers can turn any GOP legislation–even if it’s designed to help the less-off–into a screed. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/77 "2020-03-21T04:15:08Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Ex-fucking-zactly. > Turns out I’m screwed. It’s based on your 2018 income. In 2018, I inherited quite a lot of money from my mother, and it pushes me above the amount to get the $1,200. But that’s the only year I’ve gained even HALF that amount. Now, I still have quite a lot of it, but you can’t live on capital forever, and I’m not working (unless my background check with Amazon Flex clears). I’m certainly not making anything like it THIS year. Inheritance is not considered income. > **[How Can I Protect My Inheritance From Taxes?](https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/estates/4-ways-to-protect-your-inheritance-from-taxes/L653s0Kyn)** > > Received an inheritance of cash, investments, or property? Here are four ways that can help you keep it from being swallowed up by taxes. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/78 "2020-03-21T13:47:10Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Well, you answered Divemaster’s question; Dopers can turn any GOP legislation–even if it’s designed to help the less-off–into a screed. This is your only rebuttal to my observation that this is a politically motivated package? ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/79 "2020-03-21T17:00:37Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Well, you answered Divemaster’s question; Dopers can turn any GOP legislation–even if it’s designed to help the less-off–into a screed. Various of us may look at GOP offerings and find them inadequate. Screeds ensue. Fun. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678/80 "2020-03-21T17:28:38Z")
So now there are three ongoing proposals: 1. Trump administration: Send Americans two checks of $1,000 apiece. 2. Senate Republicans: Send Americans a one-time check of $1,200, plus some more for kids. 3. Senate Democrats (the most generous): Send Americans payments of $2,000, then $1,500, then $1,000, one per quarterly term. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678.md?page=5)