By Susan Tompor

May 19, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune News Service delivered by Newstex) -- Yulette Barnes expected to have her economic-stimulus cash in hand last week. She even thought she might get the money in time treat herself to some Mother's Day perfume. No luck.

There's no sign of her money, yet.

"I was a little upset about that," said Barnes of Detroit, who has a 4-year-old daughter and expected to see more than $600 directly deposited into her bank account. "I have no idea what the issue is."

The issue is that some taxpayers are now unhappily discovering that this stimulus program has some quirks that weren't exactly evident when they read the initial Internal Revenue Service timetables.

Many people are seeing stimulus payments pop up in their bank accounts on time, or earlier than expected. But some families aren't getting the money as quickly as they expected to make a car payment, pay the gas bill, buy groceries, or yes, go shopping.

The IRS is getting so many calls that it has posted a question-and-answer page and a "Where's My Stimulus Payment?" link at www.irs.gov.

Did you take out a refund-anticipation loan? Did you deduct money from your refund to pay someone or an online service to prepare your taxes? Did you have your tax refund split up and directly deposited into more than one bank account? These are all possible causes for delays.

About 20 million taxpayers nationwide took out refund-anticipation loans or had their tax fees paid by using a bank product.

Between now and mid-July, more than 130 million Americans will get a tax rebate of $300 to $1,200, or even more, depending on their finances and family size. Some taxpayers -- including those who have an outstanding problem with their 2007 return -- will get their payment later in the year.

People who use direct deposit for their income tax refunds were the first to receive the payments, starting April 28.

Directly deposited stimulus payments were set to roll out, based on Social Security numbers, by May 16.

For married couples who filed a joint return, the IRS is using the last two digits of the first Social Security number, or primary number, listed on the tax return.

Yet if you took out a refund-anticipation loan to get your 2007 tax refund early, you will need to wait longer because your economic-stimulus rebate will be sent by paper check.

Ditto for anyone who had tax-preparation fees deducted from a refund or had refunds deposited into more than one account.

When it comes to refund-anticipation loans, the IRS doesn't have your bank account information because you got money through a loan, not direct deposit of a refund.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB) notes that even taxpayers who applied for a refund anticipation loan -- but were denied -- will receive a paper check.

We've got two schedules to watch for the stimulus money: one for direct deposit and one for paper checks.

The first paper checks were sent in the mail starting Monday, based on Social Security numbers ending in 00-09.

The last round will be sent out by July 11, for the last two Social Security digits -- 88 through 99.

"People want to know when they're going to get their money," said Nancy Mays, a spokeswoman for H&R Block in Kansas City, Mo.

H&R Block also is telling its customers that it's possible that a stimulus check could be directly deposited onto a prepaid card -- if that account is open and if you had your federal tax refund direct deposited from the IRS onto a prepaid card.

Barnes, who works as a legal assistant in Southfield, Mich., said there was some mix-up on how she would pay her tax-preparation fees, so she thinks that could be part of the problem. She might have to wait for a paper check.

I heard from one senior who thought he would get his stimulus check directly deposited because his Social Security check was directly deposited.

Not so. Direct deposit for the stimulus payments is used only if the IRS has your bank account information. It does not matter if you have your Social Security check directly deposited. It's your tax refund that counts.

You also could find out that you may not get as much money as you expected.

The IRS said the amount deposited into your bank account may be what remained of your stimulus payment after it was offset for money you owed on back taxes or other debts, such as a student loan or child support. If so, expect a notice providing more details.

What if you filed on April 15?

"In general, the payment schedule only applies if your return was received, and the IRS finished processing it before April 15," the IRS said in its latest statement.

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," the IRS said.

Payments will continue through 2008 for returns filed after April 15.

Confused? Of course, you are. Even my head is spinning. Granted, the IRS didn't have much time to put together this stimulus payment system after Congress approved it earlier this year. Watch out for letters from the IRS that are marked "Stimulus Payment." Your letter tells you how much money you are entitled to receive and gives you a date of when to expect your payment. Save this paperwork for your records. Some taxpayers might receive the letters shortly after the payment is deposited into an account.

Just to be safe, do not spend any stimulus money until you actually get it. You could end up receiving that money later than expected.

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(Susan Tompor is the personal finance columnist for the Detroit Free Press. She can be reached at stompor@freepress.com.)
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