Where's Your Tax Rebate?

Tax season is here and on top of that, with the additional tax rebates coming in May through July, it has everyone frazzled. When will you receive yours? Should you have already received it? There are many questions about this and because of so many questions being asked on Yahoo Answers, I thought I would write a short article on where is your tax rebate, when you should receive it and what to do if you haven't.

When am I suppose to receive my rebate?

The IRS has published information on their website for when people/families are suppose to receive their rebates if and when you qualify. Remember, if you did direct deposit, you will be one of the first ones to receive your rebate. The IRS has now published a website where you can check on the status of your rebate called, "Where is my Stimulus Payment." To go there, click here. Just a little reminder on that website, if you filed a joint return, you would use the social of the first person listed on your 2007 tax return. Also, one catch, you can only check your status if is within one week of when you are suppose to receive it or when it's suppose to be mailed. Here are the dates for the Direct Deposit:

Last two of socials: 00 through 20, Payments will be transmitted no later than: May 2
Last two of socials: 21 through 75, Payments will be transmitted no later than: May 9
Last two of socials: 76 through 99, Payments will be transmitted no later than: May 16

Now if you are suppose to receive a check, had fees taken out of your direct deposit, or did a rapid refund/RAL, here are the dates you will receive your rebates via check if you qualify:

Last two of socials: 00 through 09, Payments will be mailed no later than: May 16
Last two of socials: 10 through 18, Payments will be mailed no later than: May 23
Last two of socials: 19 through 25, Payments will be mailed no later than: May 30
Last two of socials: 26 through 38, Payments will be mailed no later than: June 6
Last two of socials: 39 through 51, Payments will be mailed no later than: June 13
Last two of socials: 52 through 63, Payments will be mailed no later than: June 20
Last two of socials: 64 through 75, Payments will be mailed no later than: June 27
Last two of socials: 76 through 87, Payments will be mailed no later than: July 4
Last two of socials: 88 through 99, Payments will be mailed no later than: July 11

What happens if the date passes and I haven't received my rebate?

Do you qualify for a rebate based upon your income (to check this, you can go here and calculate your rebate)? First, did you have tax fees taken out of your refund or do a rapid refund/RAL? If you had fees taken out from your tax refund or did rapid refund/RAL via direct deposit, you won't receive your rebate this way. The reason why is because a third party bank account was setup in which they took your fund and then deducted their fees before transferring the remaining balance of your refund to your bank account. Due to this, the IRS will issue you a check based upon the schedule above. If however, none of this relates to you and you did direct deposit of your refund, you can call to make sure the refund was not offset (meaning you owe back taxes, student loans, child support payments, etc) by calling 1-800-304-3107. Also, make sure you qualify for a rebate and then call your bank to make sure they are not holding the funds for some reason. If all else has failed and you still believe you have not received your tax rebate via direct deposit, please call the IRS for help at the number below.

If you are waiting on a paper check, please allow two weeks from the date it was issued to receive it. Most people will receive it within a few days after it is issued, but if two weeks have gone by please call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

But the news said they are starting early:

While this is true for the most part, they are still going by the schedule above with the goal of being finished with the list of socials by the date posted. Some people will receive their direct deposit earlier then others, for instance ours is scheduled for direct deposit on Friday May 9th and last two of social 34. A friend of mine got theirs on Monday May 5 and socials ended in 74. I believe they are doing the lower rebate amounts first and then the larger ones on Friday's. Just be patient as it will be there in due time.

Can I still qualify for a rebate?

Yes, you can still qualify for a rebate as long as you made at least $3,000 dollars in 2007. All you need to do is fill out a tax return and send it to the IRS and within six weeks of the date it was received, you will receive your tax rebate as long a you qualify. To see if you qualify you can use the above link to calculate your rebate.