How to Receive a Stimulus Refund

More than 119 million households received stimulus payments in 2008.

The U.S. government gave tax rebates in a $168 billion economic stimulus plan in early 2008. More than 124 million households were eligible for tax-exempt payments based upon their 2007 tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Average payments were $300 to $1,200, based upon the number of household members and their eligibility. The IRS paid most of the rebates in 2008; however, you are perhaps still eligible for a recovery rebate credit if you have not filed your 2008 tax return.

Instructions

1. Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to find the amount of your 2008 payment. Also, you can check the payment amount listed on the Notice 1378 you received from the IRS.

2. Review the criteria to determine if you are eligible: You did not receive any payment in 2008 or it was less than the maximum of amount of $600 per taxpayer, or $1,200 if married filing jointly because your qualifying or gross income was too high or too low; you gained an additional qualifying child in 2008; you were claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return in 2007, but could not be claimed as a dependent in 2008; you did not have a valid Social Security number in 2007, but received one in 2008.

3. Claim the recovery rebate credit on your 2008 Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. Follow the instructions on the appropriate form. You can calculate the credit yourself using the worksheet instructions in the Form 1040 instruction booklet. Also, you can let the IRS determine it for you; simply choose that option on your form. You also may use your tax preparation software to calculate the amount.

4. File your return either electronically through your tax preparation software, through irs.gov or via mail. Find the appropriate address also on irs.gov.

Tips & Warnings

• The credit will increase your refund or lower the amount of taxes you owe. You will not receive it as a separate payment.

References

• Internal Revenue Service: Basic Information on the Stimulus Payments
• Internal Revenue Service: Economic Stimulus Payment Information Center
• "New York Times"; U.S. Tax Rebates Landing in Bank Accounts; John Sullivan; April 2008
• Internal Revenue Service: Recovery Rebate Credit Information Center
• Internal Revene Service: IRS Offers Tax Tips to Avoid Rebate Credit Confusion

Resources

• Internal Revenue Service: Get Refund Status
• Internal Revenue Service: IRS E-file
• Internal Revenue Service: Where to File Tax Returns