Tax stimulus refund: More help for Social Security recipients, vets and others

The tax stimulus package signed this week includes tax rebates of up to $300 for folks who don't normally file taxes, including recipients of Social Security, Veterans Administration, and Railroad Retirement benefits who received $3,000 or more last year.

If you're among those affected, you'll have to file IRS Form 1040A for 2007. For help, the IRS recently published a sample of how to fill out Form 1040A. To see it, click here, scroll to the bottom of the news release, and click on and open the PDF file for Sample Form 1040A.

Comments

[eric harris]

I WANT TO KNOW IF I'M GETTING A STIMULUS REFUND

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Click on the IRS's information page on this subject:

http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=177937,00.html

Also, try the IRS's Frequently Asked Questions on the stimulus payments:

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

[Mary Jane]

I filed the 1040EZ with Turbo Tax. The FAQs are all saying to file the 1040A if you receive social security. I filed the 1040EZ with social security and a W-2 (for third party sick pay). I hope there won't be a problem getting the tax rebate.

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

An IRS representative tells me you can use either form. So you should be OK.

Incidentally, if you have additional questions, you can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Press 1, then 5 to get a real person to talk to you. DON'T press 7, as they recommend for people who want info. on the tax rebate; it's just a recording.

I've tried this service several times. The IRS personnel are polite, and the responses are generally pretty quick--within 10 minutes.

[Antonio Roberts]

If I receive a stimulus check will it count as income and effect my social security checks?

[Margaret B. Davis]

How can I check on the status of my Stimulus refund?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

The IRS says it will be putting an interactive feature on its Web site, likely in early May, that will enable people to track the status of their stimulus rebates. Currently, it has such a feature for refunds. Check the IRS Web site in early May (www.irs.gov).

[gina baez]

I filed my stimulus payment request with turbo tax online, do I also have to fill out a paper (hard copy) 1040EZ and sent to the IRS as well? I spoke with a representative from IRS and he told me filing electronicaly was all I needed to do. For some reason I feel uneasy with this? Appreciate any response

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

To the best of my knowledge, what the IRS rep. told you is true. So just sit back and wait for your rebate!

[Bryan]

I e-filed my return on Turbo tax, and obviously opted for direct deposit. However, I had my fees deducted from my refund, and my return was processed through Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Is this considered as a RAL, and prevent me from recieving the rebate via direct deposit?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Bryan,

The information on the TurboTax Web site suggests that your rebate would be sent by check, not direct-deposited. Scroll to the bottom of this page from the TurboTax Web site for details:

http://turbotax.intuit.com/support/kb/e-file/ef-status/1883.html

[RH]

We filed and received our 2007 refund direct deposit - we have not received a letter regarding the stimulus refund. According to the irs.gov website we fit into the group who should have started receiving theirs Monday, how will I know if and when to expect ours?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

See this URL:

http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html

[Mike]

Does anyone know what time of day the stimulus payments get deposited? I am part of the first group and i had opted for direct deposit on my 2007 return. It is now 6pm on May 2 and I have not received my stimulus payment direct deposited in my account.

Thanks

[Debbie Sochanchak]

I filed for an extension and filed my income taxes shortly after April 15th. Will this affect my ability to receive a stimulus refund?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

To Brian and Debbie:

Brian, I can't answer your question. It depends on the mail service in your area.

Debbie, filing late does not affect your eligibility for this year's stimulus payment (rebate), as long as you file by October 15th. But you will probably get your rebate later than folks who filed on time.

[mary]

hello,i just want to know if i'm qualified with the stimulus rebate,bec, we filed joint with my husband and i have a ss # but my husband has a tin number,he does not have his ss # yet, and i have 1 kid am I qualified for the rebate...thanks

[ramona cornelius]

i was wanting to know if i am eligible for the stimulas refund if i receive ssi.

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Mary,

Call this number at the IRS and wait for a human to respond:
1-866-234-2942

[Mike]

I filed my 2007 return with Express Tax Refund and received my refund via direct deposit. Since I filed my return with Express Tax Refund; am I not going to receive my stimulus payment via direct deposit?

I am part of the first group who was supposed to receive their stimulus payment direct deposited by May 2. I have not received it yet. I already checked the stimulus calculator on irs.gov and it informed me that i do qualify for a stimulus payment.

Thanks, Mike

[Anthony]

I filed my taxes on Turbo Tax, I ended up oweing the IRS but I had them directly take it out of my bank account. Will I recieve a rebate? and if so, Will it be direct deposit or a paper check? All of this is a bit confusing. As far as I know, the IRS debited my bank account not turbo tax or the Santa Barbara Bank (which i have been hearing a lot of people say). THANKS!

[steven montroy]

I made 2400.00 in earned income and 13000.oo in 08 but was told i dont qualify for a stimulas rebate by the irs. can anyone explain why i shouldnt get one. I just cant fiqure out why im not qualified

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Steven,

You need to have made $3000 in earned income in 2007 to qualify this year. However, if you indeed have earned $13,000 so far in 2008, you will be eligible next tax season when you file your 2008 return.

[Susan]

My boyfriend keeps asking me about his stimulas check and I keep getting mixed information - He owes the IRS money from previous years, yes years. He did recieve a "refund" that of course came off his balance due - is he eligibale for the stimulas refund check? *Some people say yes, because he qualifies money wise and some say no because he is in debt with the IRS (and the check he would have originally recievd will not be deducted from the amount owed).*

[june]

I work part time and made $9.500.00 in salary and collected $6.300.00 in social security.I am 69 yrs old.I received $300 stimulus refund, i thought it was supposed to be $600.