When to expect your tax rebate

By James Gilbert

May 17, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
While some Yumans may have already received their stimulus rebate checks, others are still looking in the mailbox, wondering when they'll get theirs.

"The first three weeks were mostly electronic deposits," said Raphael Tulino, IRS spokesman for the Southern California and Nevada region. "Now we have started sending out the paper checks."

Tulino said the rebate checks are being sent by either direct deposit or paper check, depending on how people filed their 2007 tax return.

Taxpayers who arranged to have their tax refunds deposited electronically into their bank accounts began receiving their rebate checks late last month, Tulino said.

The rebate checks are being distributed based on the last two digits of the tax filer's Social Security number.

For example, if you filed electronically, and the last two digits of your Social Security number end in the numbers 00-20, then you should have received your rebate check no later then May 2, and so on through May 16.

Tulino said the Treasury Department began making payments on April 28. Early filers, especially those who chose direct deposit, are getting their payments first.

If the IRS finished processing your return by April 15, Tulino said, you will most likely get your payment based on this schedule. For joint filers, it's based on the person who's Social Security number is listed first on the tax return.

If you chose direct deposit, this means your payment was to arrive on May 2, May 9 or May 16.

Tulino said as of this week, the last week of rebates checks being electronically deposited, the Treasury Department has deposited 45.5 million payments totaling nearly $40.8 billion.

For taxpayers who filed electronically and on time but have not received their rebate checks yet, even though the payment date listed for their Social Security number has passed, there is a reason for that, according to Tulino.

Tulino said the payment schedule only applies if the IRS finished processing the tax return before April 15. If filed on time, but close to the April 15 deadline, the return may not be processed before April 15.

"You will still receive your stimulus check. It may conceivably, however, not be according to the schedule. If you are getting a regular income-tax refund, the IRS will send you that refund first."

Normally, your stimulus payment will follow one to two weeks later, Tulino explained.

If you chose to have your rebate check sent to you through the mail, you're going to have to wait a bit longer, Tulino stated.

The Treasury Department began sending out paper checks Friday, with later rounds to be mailed out through mid-July.

Like the direct deposit checks, the paper checks' payment date is based on the last two digits of the Social Security number.

Most single filers will receive $600, married couples $1,200 and $300 for each child. The rebates are part of an economic stimulus package enacted this year.

If you are not expecting a regular tax refund, Tulino said, your stimulus payment should arrive a minimum of six weeks after filing.

Tulino also added that taxpayers who have questions about their rebate checks can visit the IRS Web site at irs.gov.

"There is a lot of information there. As a taxpayer you can spend a few minutes there and get your questions answered."

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James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.

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DIRECT DEPOSIT
Last two SSN digits: Payments will be transmitted no later than (and received by the end of the day of:
00 through 20 -- May 2
21 through 75 -- May 9
76 through 99 -- May 16

MAILED REBATES
Last two SSN digits: Payments will be mailed no later than (and received a few days after):
00 through 09 -- May 16
00 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

Newstex ID: KRTB-0239-25349853