There are no new Arkansas stimulus checks in 2024, but if you’re facing financial hardship, there are other resources to explore. Federal benefit programs like SSI, SSDI, rental assistance, SNAP, and unemployment benefits are available for low-income individuals in need of financial assistance.

Arkansas residents can also take advantage of the state’s tax credits to lower their income tax. Read on to learn more about state-level tax credits, how they work, and how much you can get.   

Is There a Stimulus Check in 2024 for Arkansas?

There are no new stimulus updates for Arkansas residents in 2024. Other than the three Economic Impact Payments issued during the coronavirus pandemic, President Biden or Congress has no plans to issue any new payments through the American Rescue Plan or the CARES Act.

You can still claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit by filing your tax return before April 15, 2025. The deadline for claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit was May 17, 2024.

Arkansas Stimulus Check 2024

Arkansas doesn’t have a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC). However, you can still claim the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

A bill to create a state-level EITC had made it through the committee vote in the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2017, but it didn’t get the approval of the full House and was not passed.

How Do Arkansas Stimulus Checks Work?

Tax credits can help reduce your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis. This reduces the net amount of taxes you owe and may help you get a larger tax refund.

These credits can be refundable or non-refundable. With a refundable tax credit, once your taxes due are zero, you’ll get a check for any amount left over. With non-refundable tax credits, you won’t get a check for the surplus.  Non-refundable tax credits can only reduce your net income taxes due down to zero and no further.

Who Is Eligible for Arkansas’s Stimulus Checks?

Arkansas’s Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is fully refundable. You can claim the credit if you qualify for the federal CDCTC.

If you paid someone else to care for your children or dependent while you worked, you may be able to claim the tax credit. Here are the eligibility requirements for CDCTC:

  • You must have earned income from employment or self-employment.
  • Married couples filing separately can’t claim the tax credit.
  • Married couples must file a joint tax return.
  • Your child or dependent must have lived in your home for at least half of the tax year.
  • You must have paid someone else for the care of your child or dependent so you could study or work full-time.
  • Your dependents must be unable to care for themselves.  
  • The state refundable credit is only available for expenses for a child in an “approved child care facility.”

How Much Do You Receive and When

The Arkansas CDCTC is 20% of the federal CDCTC and is fully refundable. This means that once your taxes due are reduced to zero, you’ll receive a payment for any surplus of the tax credit that is left over.

How To Track the Status of Your Arkansas Stimulus Checks

It's important to note that you won’t receive a separate Arkansas stimulus check even if you claim the state-level CDCTC. This is because tax credits are only applied to your tax bill. However, you may be able to get a larger refund through a paper check or direct deposit if you qualify.

Refund timeframes depend on how you filed your taxes and the deposit method you chose. Generally, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) takes six to eight weeks for paper returns and four to five weeks for e-filed returns. You can check the status of your refund online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point.

How To Apply for Arkansas’s Stimulus Checks

You’ll need to file your state individual income tax return to claim the Child and Dependent Tax Credit. You can claim the tax credit by completing line 39 of form AR1000. You must also use Federal Form 2441 to figure out your federal credit and attach it to your state tax return.

If you're a low or moderate-income filer, check to see if you qualify for free tax filing programs offered by the IRS, such as Free File, VITA, or TCE.

Apply for Financial Assistance in Arkansas

There are no Arkansas stimulus payments coming in 2024, but you may still get some relief through the state’s tax credit. If you’re facing financial difficulties, the federal government offers assistance with food, healthcare, and housing.

An easy way to find which benefits you qualify for is through the Benefit Finder tool. You can answer questions online, and depending on your answers, the tool will provide you with a list of programs you qualify for.