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Entry bubble Unclaimed Economic Stimulus Payments

By: Jake | August 04, 2008 | Category: Money

I was surprised to see the Internal Revenue Service report last week that it was sending information packets to 5.2 million people in the U.S. who may be eligible for economic stimulus payments and have not filed yet.

Animated Tax GuyMy rebate check is long spent and all that's left to look forward to are state sales tax holidays, (assuming of course I have cash in my spare money envelope). As of July 11, the IRS had issued 112.4 million payments totaling $91.8 billion. The agency has completed most of the direct deposit and mail payments for people who filed their taxes before the April 15 deadline.

Those of you who have filed after the deadline should expect your payment 8-12 weeks after your file date. If it has been more than 8 weeks and you haven't received your payment, or you received a different amount than you expected, the IRS says you can call the toll-free rebate hotline at 1-866-234-2942 or visit a local IRS office to find your payment. Keep in mind your payment will go to your last known address the IRS has on file, so if you have moved and have not received your payment you should fill out a U.S. Postal Service form.

The IRS information packets are going to retirees and veterans who do not normally file a tax return. The IRS has accounted for about 75 percent of the approximately 20 million Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries identified as being potential stimulus recipients. Payments are based on 2007 tax returns being filed this year and you must file by Oct. 15 in order to get a payment in 2008. If you don't file this year, you can still receive a stimulus payment next year, but it will be based on your 2008 qualifying income.

Beware of email scams asking you to send bank account information in order to receive your stimulus payment. The IRS will not call or email taxpayers about these payments. If you receive a scam email, forward it to the IRS. Remember that the IRS will only contact you by mail about these payments.

| View Comments [11] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: economic_stimulus_payments   jake   tax_rebate_check  

Comments (11):

blue comment bubble Posted by Stimulate My Economy on August 04, 2008 at 07:24 AM EDT

I'll be glad to take care of any unclaimed checks, just tell IRS they can deposit it into my account. Thanks!

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blue comment bubble Posted by luckylady46158 on August 04, 2008 at 02:31 PM EDT

PLEASE TELL ME WHY SOME PEOPLE RECEIVED MORE STIMULUS MONEY THEN OTHERS? I MEAN THE SAME SINGLE PEOPLE WITH NO DEPENDENTENCE MAKING DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF MONEY.

THANK YOU

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blue comment bubble Posted by grants on August 05, 2008 at 05:07 AM EDT

Thanks for the information. But According to the IRS, rebate check scams are now preying on the average taxpayer through something as innocent as a message in his own inbox

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blue comment bubble Posted by MADinSD on August 05, 2008 at 05:38 AM EDT

I did apply for the rebate but was told my income was not high enough. I am a retired Gov employee with a 15,000 a year annuity.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Revenuer on August 05, 2008 at 06:59 AM EDT

Lucky Lady,
They way the law was written is that there is a minimum, if you qualify for a stimulus check of $300.00 and a max of $600 detwermined by the information on your form 1040 for 2007. If you paid at least $600 in Federal Income Tax then you should get a $600 check. Additional amount for married couples and $300 for each child.

Any government debt you have may reduce the amount of your payment by offsetting that debt. Back taxes, child support, deleinquent student loans, etc. The good news.. those debts will be paid off or decreased by the amount of the stimulus check.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Jake on August 05, 2008 at 08:49 AM EDT

Stimulate the Economy,

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for those economic stimulus payments. :)

Grants,

Yes people are getting email messages about tax rebates and that's why I mentioned that the IRS never emails or calls you about the payment. A couple of us here in the office have gotten emails asking us for our bank account so they can send the payment. We didn't respond to the request.

If you get a call or an email in your inbox that says it's going to send you your tax rebate, refund or anything from the IRS, it's a scam. If you get an email or call, please send the email message or synopsis of the call to phishing@irs.gov.

Jake

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blue comment bubble Posted by Jake on August 05, 2008 at 08:50 AM EDT

Very good explanation Revenuer. Thanks!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Concerned on August 05, 2008 at 09:17 AM EDT

I received one of these packets for someone who has been dead for over a year. I suspect that there are other graveyard residents whose relatives may be receiving these communications from the IRS>

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blue comment bubble Posted by where's mine? on August 05, 2008 at 12:54 PM EDT

I FILE FOR MY STIMULUS CHECK THE CHECK CAME I TRY TO CASH AND WAS TOLD SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CHECK. I TOO THE CHECK TO THE IRS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO REMAIL ME ANOTHER ONE NUMBER WAS MISSING OFF OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CHECK IN THE ACCOUNT AREA. SO MY NEW RE-ISSUE IS SUPPOSEDLY ON THE WAY? SO HOPEFULLY WHEN YOUR CHECK COMES ALL THE NUMBERS OR ACCOUNT NUMBER WILL BE FINE OR YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAY TO GET A CORRECTED CHECK. HOPEFUL NOT

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blue comment bubble Posted by LUCKYLADY46158 on August 06, 2008 at 12:24 PM EDT

THANK YOU REVENUER, FOR THE INFORMATION?
IT'S THE BEST EXPLANATION I HAVE HEARD.

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blue comment bubble Posted by bg dog on September 28, 2008 at 06:46 PM EDT

i filed for my 2007 income in march 2008 and received it already so i have been waiting on my stimulus payment check never received word or any thing,so i call the 1800 number about 15 different always put on hold no matter how long i wait no one never answer. also i wrote the internal revenue service in atlanta ga. three times never got an answer so at point i do not know what to do. posted by bg dog on august 28 2008

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