Get your stimulus tax rebate faster: The IRS tells how

Want to get your tax rebate faster? File your taxes early and electronically, and arrange for direct deposit.

The IRS drove home that message today when it announced its schedule for delivering economic stimulus rebates. Folks whose federal tax forms are processed by the IRS by the April 15 deadline and who arrange for direct deposit can expect their rebates to be sent to their bank accounts no later than May 16. You're more likely to have your taxes processed by April 15 if you file electronically.

The IRS will deliver stimulus payments based on the last two digits of filers' Social-Security numbers; the lower those digits, the earlier the payment. If a couple is filing jointly, the first Social Security number on the tax return is the one that counts in determining the payment schedule.

For folks whose returns are processed by April 15 and arrange for direct deposit:
Those whose last two Social-Security number digits are between 00 and 20 are expected to get the first payments, by May 2.
Those with last digits between 21 and 75 should get their payments by May 9.
Those with last digits between 76 and 99 should get theirs by May 16.

In contrast, the IRS says it will begin to send out paper checks on May 16, even for early filers. The agency says it expects to send out the last checks to on-time filers by July 11. You may have to wait a few days extra for the checks to reach your mailbox.

If there's a problem with processing your return, your payment--whether by direct deposit or paper check--could be delayed beyond those target dates. And anyone filing for an extension will have to wait for their rebate for at least two weeks after they get their refund.

IRS spokesman Eric Smith notes that by filing electronically, you can expect your rebate from two weeks to two months sooner than if you filed by mail. Even if you owe the government, you can file now and arrange for payment on April 15; that way, even with no refund, you'll get your rebate faster.

"If you've never tried electronic filing, this is the year to do it," Smith told us. "If you're getting a refund, you'll get it sooner. If you're getting a rebate, you'll really get it sooner."

While you're waiting for the rebate, try the IRS's new economic stimulus payment calculator to determine how large a rebate you'll get. To do a proper estimate, you'll need to have filled out your 2007 Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.

Comments

[James Herald]

What if you had a tax preparation company like HR block do your taxes and you received a RAL? Would your check be direct deposited or would your check be paper?

[Clarence Hayworth]

How can I receive my stimulus check by direct deposit if I do not get a tax refund ?

[Jason Holloway]

I filled with H&R Block and received my return on the emerald mastercard. Will my stimulus rebate go to my card or will I receive a check by mail?

[peggy]

We filed and got our return back plus some money then we had to file a 1040x and now we owe this yr 2007,Had to file a 1040x for 2006 to we had gotten a refund on both yrs. Now that we had to refile both yrs we owe taxes.I haven't sent them in yet will we still get a rebate check? Peggy

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Peggy,

Your rebate (stimulus payment) amount is not related to how much you owe. It is related to how much you and your spouse made--or more precisely, your adjusted gross income--in 2007. If, as a married couple filing jointly that amount is between $3,000 and $150,000, you will get the full $1,200 stimulus rebate. After $150,000 in adjusted gross income, the rebate begins to phase out.

See this link for details:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179211,00.html

[kathy]

if we filed electronically and got a refund in 24-48 hours .when would we get the tax rebate check?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

I'd be surprised to hear you'd get a refund that fast from the IRS. Assuming the tax return is processed by April 15, your rebate check would be sent to you according to the schedule I mention in the third paragraph, above.

To check where your refund is, go to www.irs.gov, click on "Where's My Refund?" and follow the instructions. Seeing when your refund will arrive may give you an idea of when your tax return was processed, which will affect when the stimulus payment (rebate) will arrive.

I hope that helps.

[Vanessa]

I had my taxes prepared at H&R Block. Do I have to file anymore paperwork to receive the stimulus rebate check?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Vanessa,

You do not have to do anything more. Once you file your 2007 taxes, the IRS will automatically process you for a stimulus payment (rebate).

[Jay]

I spoke to HR Block today anyone that got their refund on an Emerald Card will receive there stimulus refund on that card as well..

[Nikki babee]

Will I get the rebate if I owe taxes?

[Jamie]

Where do I sign up for direct deposit for my Economic Stimulus Check? If I had my 2007 refund direct deposited does that mean my rebate will also be direct deposited?

[eric]

I filed my taxes on time and electrnically but i dont have a bank account,does my rebate come sooner than normal?

[eric warren]

i filed my taxes on time and electronically but i dont have a bank account . Does my renate come sooner than normal?

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Jamie,

Generally, if your 2007 refund is direct-deposited, your rebate also will be direct-deposited. There are a couple of exceptions; for example, if you opted to split your refund and direct-deposit it into more than one account--you're allowed up to three--the IRS would issue a paper check for the rebate. The IRS press release at following URL has some details:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179041,00.html

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Eric,

You may get your tax refund check a couple of weeks earlier. An electronically filed return will get processed faster than one sent in by mail, and in theory the IRS can send out your check sooner.

As far as the rebate check, it may come a little sooner, based on the faster processing of your return. I can't say by how much.

[Chuck]

I filed as a dependent, being under the impression my mother was claiming me for 2007. When I found out she could not claim me, I sent in a 1040x to amend my taxes and change my status to Independent. I now meet all of the requirements to receive the Economic Stimulus Rebate. However, I did not send my 1040x in until April 14th, long after I originally filed as a dependent. How long will I have to wait for my rebate? I had my original return direct deposited.

[nicole]

I see plenty of questions regarding the rapid refund tax cards from companies, such as h&r block and Jackson Hewitt, but ther is no response. I'd like to know if my rebate will be put on that card or if I will be recieving a paper check. Also, when i recieved my letter in the mail notifying me of the refund it told me I could sign up to have it direct deposited. When I check the site I could not find anywhere that I could sign up at. If there is somewhere to do that where? Thank you! :)

[Rhonda Bartee]

I filed my taxes with H&R block and my taxes were direct deposted to my emerald card. Will my rebate go to my card or sent by paper?

[Rhonda Bartee]

I owe child support and didn't get any refund. Will I still receive the stimulus rebate?

[jane weikel]

I filed my tax return and got a small refund. It was sent by check. My social security check is directly deposited each month to ny bank. Can I get mt stimulus refund directly deposited?

[Carrie GILBERT]

ii filied my taxes online in 2007 and havent recived anything from the irs in the mail about reciving a rebate check.. will i still recive anything..

[Stacy]

I was just wondering if there is a way I can get my return sooner if i give someone my checking account information?

[heather]

i elected to have my refund deposited onto the h&R block mastercard. Will my stimulus refund be deposited as well? Or will there be a paper check mailed?

Thank You,
Heather

[robin wirth]

i filed my taxes with h&r block and my refund was put on my emerald mastercard will my stimulus check be placed on my card also?