--- title: American Rescue Plan Act Overview - Ahola description: The American Rescue Plan Act has been much debated, but what's actually in it and who benefits from it? Read more for an overview. image: https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/money-iamge.jpg --- Start typing and press Enter to search * * # American Rescue Plan Act Overview [Home](https://www.ahola.com/) » [News & Events](https://blog.ahola.com/american-rescue-plan-act-overview) » American Rescue Plan Act Overview [2021-03-11%2015:39:07](2021-03-11%2015:39:07) ![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/money-iamge.jpg) ## American Rescue Plan Act Overview By [ aholaadmin ](https://blog.ahola.com/author/aholaadmin)  Posted [ March 11, 2021](2021-03-11%2015:39:07)  In  [Payroll](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/payroll), [Benefits](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/benefits), [Human Resources](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources), [Managing COVID-19](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/managing-covid-19), [Tax Compliance](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/tax-compliance), [Employees](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees), [Hiring](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/hiring) - - - - - On March 10, 2021, the Senate and House reached various compromises on the latest relief bill, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The 600 pages contain many provisions and additional guidance is likely to follow in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, here are the key benefits. ### The $1,400 relief check This is probably the most-heralded part of the bill. These payments are $1,400 per person, including dependents, so a couple with two children is eligible for $5,600. The $1,400 check is also available for adult dependents, such as a college student or a disabled adult child. However, the bill imposes income cutoffs. Recipients will get the full amount if their adjusted gross income doesn’t exceed $75,000 (singles), $112,500 (heads of household) or $150,000 (joint filers). At AGIs higher than these, the checks start phasing out, reaching zero at $80,000 (singles), $120,000 (heads of household) or $160,000 (joint filers). What is the AGI based on? The taxpayer’s 2020 return, unless it hasn’t been filed yet, in which case it defaults to the 2019 return. There is room here for some strategizing — taxpayers should contact a tax professional to discuss the most beneficial course of action. It’s unclear how quickly Washington will be able to disburse these funds. ### Unemployment benefits Congress is granting an additional $300 weekly unemployment supplement through Sept. 6. As a benefit for those who received significant unemployment insurance payouts last year and might be facing an unexpected tax bill, Congress also added a provision that makes the first $10,200 of the 2020 benefits nontaxable for households making less than $150,000. ### Child tax credit Although this change hasn’t received as much attention as other aspects, it affects a wide swath of the population. For the 2021 tax year, the child tax credit will give parents a $3,000 credit for every child aged 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under age 6. This is an increase from $2,000 per dependent child up to age 16. The revised credit is fully refundable, meaning it will go to families that made so little that they didn’t owe enough taxes to qualify. Those earning up to $75,000 (singles), $112,500 (heads of household) and $150,000 (joint filers) will be eligible to receive the full benefit, with the amount of the payments phasing out by $50 for every $1,000 in income above those thresholds. Families ineligible for the expanded credit will still be able to claim the old $2,000 credit, which phases out after income exceeds $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers. ### Payroll Tax Credit Extensions Credits for qualified leave wages were also extended to September 30, 2021 in the ARPA, and the Employee Retention Tax Credit was extended to December 31, 2021. According to a [** Bloomberg News Update**](https://news.bloombergtax.com/payroll/american-rescue-plan-act-extends-3-covid-19-payroll-tax-credits), “the ARPA extended the Employee Retention Tax Credit so it can be claimed on qualified wages that employers pay to employees in the third an fourth quarters of 2021,whereas under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the credit no longer would have been available for amounts paid after the second quarter of 2021. “ Please note that this is a preliminary report on an enormous bill for which there is currently little guidance. 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It does not constitute legal advice, and cannot constitute legal advice, because the authors are not licensed attorneys. Readers should not rely or act upon any information presented on this blog without seeking professional legal counsel. The views expressed in each post are those of the author, and the author alone; they are not the views of Ahola. The information provided in this blog is general, and based on information available as of the date of publishing. Information herein is provided on an “as is” or “as available” basis; we make no warranty of any kind to you regarding the information provided and disclaim any liability for damages from use of the blog or its content. Please consult an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular question or issue. 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