Updated July 18, 2008
En Español: Pagos de Estímulo Económico
If you haven't yet filed a tax return to get your stimulus payment, you still have time to do so. But you must file by Oct. 15 to get your payment this year. And if you've already filed to get your payment but have a question or issue, it might be addressed here.
Find the Answer
Still looking for your rebate even though you've already filed a tax return? Or wonder why it's smaller than you were expecting? You may find the answer to your question in our:
If You've Already Filed a Tax Return
You may have already filed but still have outstanding issues. Find out more if you:
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- Received one for a different amount than you were expecting,
- Amended your tax return,
- Changed your address, or
- Are in the military, have a spouse or children with ITINs instead of valid SSNs and received a reduced or no stimulus payment
If you still have questions, try:
If You Haven't Yet Filed a Tax Return
If you haven’t filed a federal tax return to claim your economic stimulus payment, you have until Oct. 15 to file to get your payment this year. Find out more if you:
Get Basic Information
If you're not sure what the payment is all about, read the basic information.
Find Out if You're Eligible
You are eligible if:
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You or your family has at least $3,000 in qualifying income from, or in combination with, Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits and earned income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count as qualifying income for the stimulus payment.
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You and any family members listed on your tax return have valid Social Security numbers.
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You are not a dependent or eligible to be a dependent on someone else’s federal tax return. (The same must be true of any family members claimed on your return.)
Calculate How Much You May Get
The actual amount depends on the information on your tax return. To find out how much you might be eligible for, use the economic stimulus calculator.
Find Out When You'll Get Your Payment
Whether you've already filed, have yet to file or filed for an extension, find out when you can expect to receive your stimulus payment.
Claim Your Payment
Then
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File electronically. For free free tax preparation software and electronic filing for people submitting a return solely to receive their stimulus payment, use Free File: Economic Stimulus Payment.
Or
Choose Direct Deposit or Paper Check
You can get your payment electronically as a direct deposit into your checking or savings account by filling in lines 44 b, c and d on Form 1040A or lines 74 b, c and d on Form 1040. Or you can get a paper check by leaving those lines blank.
Get Free Help at Taxpayer Assistance Centers
IRS employees will help prepare Form 1040A returns for low-income workers, retirees, disabled veterans and others. For a list of centers in your state and their hours of operation, Contact My Local Office .
Information For Businesses
For More Information
Check out our:
Avoid Rebate Scams
Identity thieves are using the stimulus payment as bait in their scams. Details can be found in news release IR-2008-11, IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting.
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