[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/child-support-stimulus-checks-and-tax-returns-what-you-need-to-know-in-2021\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/child-support-stimulus-checks-and-tax-returns-what-you-need-to-know-in-2021\/","headline":"Child Support, Stimulus Checks and Tax Returns: What You Need to Know in 2021","name":"Child Support, Stimulus Checks and Tax Returns: What You Need to Know in 2021","description":"The federal government recently sent another round of stimulus checks to many families across the country to help ease some of the financial burdens of the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Tax Day (now pushed back a month) is looming. What does all of this mean for parents waiting on overdue\u00a0child support payments and those who owe […]","datePublished":"2021-05-06","dateModified":"2025-09-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/#Person","name":"James Kraayeveld","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/","identifier":29,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Kraayeveld Family Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","width":454,"height":599},"url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/child-support-stimulus-checks-and-tax-returns-what-you-need-to-know-in-2021\/","about":["Child Support"],"wordCount":478,"articleBody":"The federal government recently sent another round of stimulus checks to many families across the country to help ease some of the financial burdens of the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Tax Day (now pushed back a month) is looming.What does all of this mean for parents waiting on overdue\u00a0child support payments and those who owe support money? Here is what you need to know.2021 Stimulus Checks ShieldedThe Internal Revenue Service began sending stimulus payments to eligible individuals and families in March, shortly after President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act. Those payments \u2013 up to $1,400 \u2013 followed two rounds of previous payments worth up to a total of $1,800.Eligibility for payments and the amount of the stimulus money varies based on income, marital status, and number of children. People who are eligible for payments but who did not receive a check can also seek the money through a tax refund.Whether debt collectors can get at some of the money has changed over time.The laws authorizing the first two stimulus payments largely prohibited the federal, state, local or other governments from garnishing the checks to cover unpaid debts like overdue child support. However, there is no such ban with respect to the third round of checks that started going out in March.Recovery Refund is Fair GamePeople who are seeking the stimulus in the form of a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their tax returns are playing under a different set of rules. The refund money can be garnished for a wide range of unpaid debts, including previous tax obligations, fines, and, yes, child support. That money can be taken from any tax return payment before it hits a person\u2019s bank account.Let a Grand Rapids Child Support Attorney Help Child support is generally designed to ensure that kids\u2019 basic needs are met by their parents. For the parent with custody of the child, getting the support often requires going to court to get support ordered. It can also mean going back to court to enforcethe order.The good news is that you do not need to deal with this on your own. A Grand Rapids child support attorney at Kraayeveld Family Lawcan help you navigate the legal process and enforce your rights. We are seasoned family law attorneys with a track record of successful results for the people that we represent.Our lawyers have dedicated their professional lives to helping people in the local community and across the state untangle their marriages and resolve a wide range of issues, like child support, child custody, and alimony. We take the time to understand each client\u2019s unique needs and craft legal strategies to meet their specific goals.Call\u00a0616-285-0808\u00a0or\u00a0contact\u00a0us online to make an appointment to speak with a Grand Rapids child support attorney about your situation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Child Support, Stimulus Checks and Tax Returns: What You Need to Know in 2021","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/child-support-stimulus-checks-and-tax-returns-what-you-need-to-know-in-2021\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]