Surely by now everyone has heard of the economic stimulus tax rebate.  What may not be universally known is that one of the little tweaks the Democrats added were some rules under which even many people who don't pay taxes can get a rebate.  To get it, though, you have to file a return.

[Updated 14 January 2009:  If you qualified for a rebate last year, but didn't get it--or didn't get the full amount--you can still claim your economic stimulus money when you file your taxes this year.]

If you're paying taxes for 2007, you probably have to file a return anyway, and if you do, you probably qualify for the whole stimulus payment ($600 per person or $1200 per couple). 

But, if you're one of the 23 million who doesn't need to file a return--because you're a low-income worker, a senior on social security, a veteran on disability, or otherwise get by on such a small income that you owe no taxes--you might want to file a return this year anyway.  You still qualify for a half-size rebate ($300 per person or $600 per couple) if you made at least $3000 in 2007 from any combination of:

  • earnings from a job or self-employment
  • social security
  • railroad retirement
  • veterans benefits

Various providers of tax software have been participating in the IRS's "Free File" program which offer ways for people with modest incomes ($54,000 a year or less) to file their taxes online for free.

And, just for those people who are only filing to get the economic stimulus rebate, there's a special expansion of this program.

The IRS also has announced the schedule for the rebate payments.  To get yours as quickly as possible, file a return by the April 15th deadline, and provide direct-deposit information.

Direct Deposit Payments

If the last two digits of your Social Security number are:

Your economic stimulus payment deposit should be sent to your bank account by:

00 – 20

May 2

21 – 75

May 9

76 – 99

May 16

Paper Check

If the last two digits of your Social Security number are:

Your check should be in the mail by:

00 – 09

May 16

10 – 18

May 23

19 – 25

May 30

26 – 38

June 6

39 – 51

June 13

52 – 63

June 20

64 – 75

June 27

76 – 87

July 4

88 – 99

July 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on any of these programs, see the IRS FAQ.