Getting Your Tax Stimulus Check

If you’re wondering where your stimulus check is, try this IRS tool.

Update: The bill has passed, the checks will be mailed out based on this stimulus tax rebate check schedule, so file your returns (even if you didn’t need to) to get your check.

I wanted to make an addendum to the article I wrote about the 2008 Tax Rebate Stimulus package that was recently passed in the House of Representatives. There have been a lot of questions as to how much someone would get, what tax year the rules are applied to, what counts as a “child,” etc.

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First off, I think we are still too early in the game to be discussing those things because the Senate still needs to pass a similarly worded bill, the two bills have to be married, and then the President needs to sign it. Then the number crunchers have to do the math and then finally checks will be mailed out in May or June or July. The biggest of the hurdles will come in the Senate but ultimately there still are many hurdles. This “economic stimulus package” (I put it in quotes because there is fierce debate as to the effectiveness of the package) is still far from a certainty. Preparing as if it will appear in a few months would be a mistake.

Secondly, since you won’t have to do anything (you don’t file a form, you don’t call anyone), there isn’t really much you should do. If it goes through, a check will arrive in the mail one day in May or June or July and you’ll find yourself a few hundred dollars richer. If you’re just treading water, maybe that gets you some breathing room. If you’re more financially stable, maybe you put that towards some debt or pad your emergency fund. If you’re looking to make a purchase that’s contingent on getting that check, I’d wait until after it clears before swiping your card.

lastly, don’t believe the mainstream media when they say that a deal has been struck and that you will definitely be getting money. A deal was made in the House, the other chamber has yet to pass something, and Congress’ idea of breakneck speed leaves much to be desired. ~~Do not count on this money!~~

01/26/08, Read more in Taxes | 6,211 views

54 responses to “Getting Your Tax Stimulus Check”

vh responds:
Posted: January 26th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Right on!

If you’re elderly and so poor you subsist only on Social Security, you will not get a check. But then likely you don’t pay much tax on your SS anyway. Three hundred bucks would make a difference to you if you were in those straits.

If you’re single and have no kids at home, you’ll get three hundred bucks (maybe) that you can put into your IRA or throw at your credit card debt. I haven’t talked with a single middle-class friend who imagines doing anything other than salting this little windfall into savings.

If you have a bunch of kids, maybe you’ll spend the vast sum on a few trips to the grocery store. If that “stimulates the economy,” hallelujah. But unless you believe in miracles, better not count on it.

zach responds:
Posted: January 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

what if im 16 and i live at home and go to school but i made bout 8 grand this year do i get a check? and if so how much?

Master Allan responds:
Posted: January 26th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

What If I moved several times since I filed taxes in Quarter 1 of 2007? I no longer live at my apartment on Florida Avenue. In fact as a contractor overseas all I have in the U.S. is a storage unit and PO Box that no one knows about. Is there some form I can update the government on my location and where to send the check? Surely they understand that people move all the time unless they are going to cut the checks based on tax returns filed on time in 2008.

I really doubt they are going to have any success getting me the refund anytime before April of 2012.

db responds:
Posted: January 26th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

I’m still hoping this thing doesn’t happen. Personally, I think this got concocted b/c Bush thinks we’ll somehow develop amnesia and forget what a totally evil destructive force he’s been for 8 years in our undying, automatonic gratitude for getting thrown a few scraps.

Uh — not like I have an opinion about this or anything….

db responds:
Posted: January 26th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

P.S. — The reason I’m hoping this doesn’t happen is I don’t think we can afford this particular rebate at this particular time….it’s spending money the country just doesn’t have….

Ryan S. responds:
Posted: January 27th, 2008 at 1:54 am

I have this feeling that I’m just over the threshold to get a check.
-
Ryan

Evelyn Scali responds:
Posted: January 27th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

I’m retired, I receive Soc Sec and retirement, I pay less then a 100.00 in taxes on my retirement. Will I receive a check?

Dom responds:
Posted: January 28th, 2008 at 3:23 am

I am a college student. My parents pay for my college, but i work part time year round and make about 10,000 a year.

Would i be eligible? Or since i am most likely a dependent(father does my taxes) would i most likely not receive one and my parents would receive one instead?

I need to pay off my credit card for booking spring break!

Thanks.

Ron@TheWisdomJournal responds:
Posted: January 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am

Do you think there will be enough people who spend on their credit card in anticipation of the check that the economy will be stimulated enough that they won’t think we need the stimulus package?

Wouldn’t surprise me one bit!

Judy Dragas responds:
Posted: January 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

What happens if you have moved after the last tax season?

joe responds:
Posted: February 11th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

the way i see it is if you didn’t pay taxes, but you made 3000 or more you get 300. If you made 3000 dollars or more and did pay taxes then you should definetly get something back, but then again this is the Bush administration we’re talking about.

josey responds:
Posted: February 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

what happens if u r married and u file seprate ? does that mean u only get the amount of money as a single person even though u r married and u dont file with ur spouse?

Billie responds:
Posted: February 28th, 2008 at 10:22 am

I think that all tax paying citizens should get a rebate. I also think that the elderly who live on social security only and do not pay any taxes should also receive a rebate because they are already struggling to make ends meet and the check will be a godsend to them.

Jo Ann responds:
Posted: March 8th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

I am retired senior citizen. I pay no income tax; I receive only $643 monthly from SS, what do I have to do to recieve this so-called “Stimulus Check,” or am I totally disqualified because I am so poor?? Seems to me that people in my financial bracket should be the ones receiving it, after all, I paid taxes when I was working!

Krista responds:
Posted: March 8th, 2008 at 11:24 pm

To Retirees Receiving Social Security:

You may actually qualify for the stimulus package. Here is the link to the IRS article. http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=179096,00.html Cut and paste, if the link doesn’t work.

Here are some passages lifted from the article.

“Some low-income workers and recipients of Social Security, certain veterans’ benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits may qualify for economic stimulus payments this year from the federal government.

In most cases, payments will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1200 for joint filers. Taxpayers may receive $300 for each qualifying child.”

“Normally, certain Social Security, Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans’ payments are not subject to income tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains a special provision allowing Social Security recipients and recipients of certain veterans’ benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits to count those benefits toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby qualify for the stimulus payment.”

It involves filing a 1040A with specific instructions from the irs.gov website.

Please check this out.

Melissa responds:
Posted: March 18th, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Quote- what happens if u r married and u file seprate ? does that mean u only get the amount of money as a single person even though u r married and u dont file with ur spouse? - Quote

Well then each of you would get $600, which would total $1200, get it.

Quote- Will I get a check if I moved - Quote

Make sure you change you address with the IRS. And if you had your refund direct deposited it will go into your account.

Quote- I am a college student. My parents pay for my college, but i work part time year round and make about 10,000 a year. -Quote

Well your parents should get the money if they are paying for you, they are still supporting you. But if you filled your own claim as not a dependant then you would get.

For any other idiotic question just type in tax stimulus check in your IE browser and it will give you hundreds of pages with answers!

reggie responds:
Posted: March 20th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

It is my understanding that the amount of the check we recieve will be required back from us when we file taxes next year…if so, why would I spend it only to struggle to pay it back. I didn’t ask for the money in the first place.

Carmelita responds:
Posted: March 23rd, 2008 at 1:25 am

I’m just wondering will I get this check also. I didn’t work much last year, and didn’t get much back on my tax refund. How do I find out if I’m getting this check or not.

mike responds:
Posted: March 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm

people like billy down there make me sick..” i think that everyone should get a rebate whether the paid any taxes or not ” –thats NOT a “rebate” bILLIE..thats welfare..perhaps i should come steal $300 of your money u freakin useless piece of trash..

mike responds:
Posted: March 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm

actual reductions in the tax rates would help–this is just welfare for you bums,,,get off the computer and go get a job and stop wondering whether u have a check coming or not,,losers.

Patty responds:
Posted: March 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 pm

Melissa…people have legit questions. They are not idiotic. And quite frankly, you simply copied what was on the IRS website. You are certainly not a know-it-all…but, you sure act like one. Get over yourself.

Patty responds:
Posted: March 23rd, 2008 at 11:43 pm

Mike..aren’t you the hostile one. It seems you need to get over yourself as well. Apparently you and Melissa had some concerns about the rebate check, hence the reason you both ended up here. By the way, I recommend a typing class of some sort…unless your important job in this world of technology does not require the use of a brain cell.

john j spence responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm

john j spence draws social security and would like to file for the stimulate package he dosen;t receive enought to pay taxes on barley enought to get by how do we go about filing for the stimulate package. please reply we need help thank you doris yost a good friend will be waiting for your reply

Shell~Bell responds:
Posted: April 4th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Well, I’m happy yet frustrated about the whole thing. First off, it’s nice to actually get something back. I work hard yet, I have nothing after paying rent, bills, diapers, and so on. But, I DO think db (above comment) is a little right… Are we supposed get amnesia and forget about all that Bush did for the past 8 years? And be thankful that we’re getting thrown some scraps just to shut us up and think, “Oh Bush, you’re so nice for creating this package, what a way to help out your fellow Americans”.
PARENTS LOST THEIR CHILDREN, CHILDREN LOST THEIR PARENTS, SISTERS LOST THEIR BROTHERS, AND BROTHERS LOST THEIR SISTERS.
And after spending Billions of OUR money… Here’s $600 bucks for you. Yeah well, I need the money so, I’ll take it spend it and maybe pay my electric bill but, I DO BELIEVE HE HAD THE WROND INTENTIONS. HELP… Maybe for himself

JOE responds:
Posted: April 6th, 2008 at 1:21 am

what if you got your taxes done by h and r block and got the card will the money be put on it or how will i get my money

thank you
joe

james responds:
Posted: April 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

i got a card from h and r block so will my check be put on my card or what????

Conor Gavan responds:
Posted: April 7th, 2008 at 9:06 am

I have to file for an extension. Will I still receive my check?

Tabitha responds:
Posted: April 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

I totally agree with Shell Bell, however i don’t care why he’s doing it as long as he is doing it. My husband and I really need this money we didn’t even get a tax return for 2007 they claim we owe it all to them and I like to know how when I worked part-time and my husband is struggling to pay all these bills and take care of our kids. How can they determine that we made too much money. Well I think we can never make enough.

christine cayea responds:
Posted: April 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am

I want to know if you owe the irs will they take the rebate? We have to pay in every year no matter how much we have taken out of our weekly checks. One would think also, that if you are 73 yrs old you shouldn’t have to work much less pay taxes to make ends meet.

Robin Jernigan responds:
Posted: April 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am

If I owe student loans and am paying on them monthly, will I receive my stimulas paymet?

sherry carrillo responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

if me and my spouse filled our taxes together, but my spouse has a taxpayers number. how will the amount be determined

Joseph responds:
Posted: April 14th, 2008 at 1:56 am

The funny part about most of your questions is that they are answered on the IRS website. The first link is for general FAQ’s about this stimulus payment and that second link is around when you will be receiving it. The best bet for everyone is just to forget about it, and if you receive a check..great! If not, than oh well. If they had never announced that a bonus check was going to be sent out, most people would not be freaking out right now about it. Obviously yes, if you are posting here then you what to know what’s going on (hence the reason I’m posting here), but all of these questions are answered on their website. So again, best advise I can give all of you is just to forget about it, and hopefully you will be receiving a check.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html#How
http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html

Also, if you go to the link below, there is a calculator that will give you an idea of the amount you “should” be getting back.

http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/

russella mcdowell responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

I file a income tax return i made about 7,00.00 a year.I have a disabled son i take care of i claim him -he is an adult he is autistic.Do i get a refund for him also.

hijOputA responds:
Posted: April 17th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

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PaSS dat.. SIgn daT..SeND dAt..
I get taXd alL dAy as Im bUyIng thing.Sz..
AlL day,eveRydAy.. LoOk.Sz liKe it.Sz beeN liKe thaT fOr aS lOng As I remembeR, nah¿

I sAy: shoOt, wouldn’t it Be niCe to get a cheCk liKe thiS mOre Often. (FOr as Long ilL remembeR) .. . yeah riite, piCtuRe thAt ««

carl d. hester responds:
Posted: April 22nd, 2008 at 4:29 pm

I am tottally disabled & I filed taxes this year, Will I get this stimulas payment?

Amber responds:
Posted: April 23rd, 2008 at 12:18 am

WHY IS EVERYONE ARGUING ABOUT THIS DAMN CHECK? and i am really tired of hearing the “rich” put down the “poor”. its just a tax check that we deserve for working hard no matter what your income. so stop complaining and being rude to one another!!!!!!!

linda responds:
Posted: April 24th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

I worked since I was 16 years old.thats 49 years, and paid in taxes from every check.
in the last years I paid in around $9,000.00 a year in taxes.
Now I am disabled and 65 years old. i get a social security check each month.
Any thing I get from the government I have earned.

Michelle responds:
Posted: April 25th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

I hope this can answer your questions.

http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/

It is an economic stimulus calculator that the IRS has provided. You enter YOUR information from your tax return. Then they let you know what you can expect provided the information you entered is correct.

They ask - if you can be claimed as a dependent - married filing jointly - how much you earned vs how much you paid - child tax credits -

Stimulus checks will be going out earlier than expected. YAY!
**Copy and Pasted from YAHOO**

For those who E-filed
Last 2 Digits of SSN Date Check Will Be Sent
00-20 April 28
21-75 May 5
76-99 May 12

For those with paper checks

Last 2 Digits of SSN Date Check Will Be Sent
00-09 May 9
10-18 May 16
19-25 May 23
26-38 May 30
39-51 June 6
52-63 June 13
64-75 June 20
76-87 June 27
88-99 July 4

TAMMY responds:
Posted: April 25th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

I HAVE A QUESTION: I WENT TO H & R BLOCK AND HAD MY TAXES DONE THEY WERE E-FILED AND I GOT THE RAPID REFUND TOO, DOES THAT MEAN THAT MY STIMULUS CHECK WILL BE MAILED OUT ON THE 5 TH OF MAY MY LAST 2 DIGIT’S OF MY SS# ARE 52.MY TAXES WEREN’T DIRECT DEPOSITED EITHER THEY WERE DONE ELECTRONICLY.

Jennifer responds:
Posted: April 25th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Wow, a lot going on here… I don’t blame any one of you, don’t we all wonder about this check? That’s why most of us are all here. I was discussing this with my parents and grandparents earlier today, so I decided to jump online to try to find an answer to a question thrown into the conversation - BUT can’t locate one… even on the IRS website! My sister has been a single mom for more than 5 years and has 3 children, working 2 jobs. However, she doesn’t pay any federal taxes. Her income is low enough and exemptions with the kids are high enough to put her in the bracket of federal exemption from paying in. (I did her taxes for her last year) I know she could really use the money. Taxes were filed, she got a return, yet didn’t pay anything in federal… any rebate for her? Anyone been able to find the answer to this one??? Thanks all

Anonymous responds:
Posted: April 26th, 2008 at 10:14 am

irs.gov

You can go to this website to find out if you’re eligible and how much you could get. Even if you haven’t filed taxes this year you can still file through Oct 10 or 15th I think. If you don’t make enough to file taxes they have a step by step guide to help you file so you can get the rebate.

Billy responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 1:59 am

Even though the idea from this stimulus package is a good one. I don’t appreciate how the government will “rob peter to pay paul” just to put a temporary bandaid on the economy. The sad thing is this is a democracy right?? Why didn’t we get to vote on whether the tax rebate would go into effect. The government is paying us back with our own money that we haven’t even earned yet. How is this fair????

kristi responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 8:50 am

I was in a car accident last year and am still waiting on the litagations to begin. I have not been able to go to work since last year so I was told since I couldn’t work I wont get the stimulus. Isn’t this for people who are in a struggle? Now i wont get any check and neither will my two children since I didn’t make over $3,000. So poor people just have to stay poor while Bush fills his pockets. I always see Comercials on help the hungery in Africa what about the people who struggle here in America who cant get into any programs for help and face loosing thier home and facing homelessness with small children?

Thomas L Curley responds:
Posted: April 28th, 2008 at 10:11 am

Effective May 13, 2008 my mail will be forwarded from Homosassa, Fl. to P.O. Box 363, Onset, Ma. 02558. Question: Will the Stimulus Rebate Check be forwarded to my new address? If the IRS will not allow checks to be forwarded please advise me of what I must do.

Thank you

Thomas L. Curley

Tami responds:
Posted: April 30th, 2008 at 11:20 am

Jennifer - I am in a similar situation as your sister. This is what is says on the IRS website.

“Your payment may be less than the maximum for one or more of the following reasons:
You are single and your net income tax liability is less than $600. If you file Form 1040 net income tax liability is the amount shown on Line 57, plus the amount on Line 52.”

line 57 is likely ZERO if you are a single parent, but line 52 should have a value. So, even though your sister doesn’t owe any taxes she may get a refund. You will need to look at the values on line 57 & 52 on her 1040.

Jarrid responds:
Posted: May 4th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

I filed my return on time, but I haven’t received my stimulus payment, even though the payment date listed for my Social Security number has passed. Why?

DF responds:
Posted: May 7th, 2008 at 8:03 am

Stimulus Payment Schedule for Tax Returns Processed by April 15

Economic Stimulus Payment Information Center

Economic stimulus payments will be issued according to the last two-digits of the main filer’s Social Security number. For joint filers, the payments will go out based on the person listed first on the return. Payments will be made by either direct deposit or paper check, consistent with how people filed their 2007 tax return.

People who use direct deposit also will be among the first to receive the payments starting April 28. Direct deposits will be made daily and completed by the date listed below:
DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 May 2
21 through 75 May 9
76 through 99 May 16

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks will be mailed starting May 9 and will continue through May 16. A similar process will be repeated in the following weeks.
PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 May 16
10 through 18 May 23

19 through 25
May 30
26 through 38 June 6
39 through 51 June 13
52 through 63 June 20
64 through 75 June 27
76 through 87 July 4
88 through 99 July 11

People who file a return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment, but probably later than the schedule shows. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year. See the online calculator for an estimate of the amount you will receive.

A small percentage of tax returns will require additional time to process and to compute a stimulus payment amount. For these returns, stimulus payments may not be issued in accordance with the schedule above, even if the tax return was processed by April 15.

Getting Your Tax Stimulus Check

54 responses to “Getting Your Tax Stimulus Check”

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