Second Stimulus Check Payment Package

Taxpayers who have not already received their stimulus payment, or income tax rebate for 2008, now have a second to do so.  Also, if you filed a 2008 return but have not received your stimulus check, the IRS has resources to help you track it down and be sure you get paid.  If you wish, you may start by calling the IRS hotline at 866-234-2942.

And if you did not file a return in 2008, you may still qualify for the stimulus check upon filing your 2008 return after January 31, 2009.

Under the present law, no taxpayer is entitled to receive a second stimulus payment, unless the law is modified because of the dire economic circumstances we now face.

So how do you know if you qualify and what should you do if you have not received your payment yet?

You are qualified for the rebate if:

• The taxpayer or taxpayers have at least $3,000 in qualifying income from, or combined with, Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits and earned income.  

• You and every family member listed on your return have valid Social Security numbers.

• You are not a dependent or eligible to be considered a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

If you have not applied for your stimulus check, all you have to is file a return.  You may do this electronically or by mail.  You may also decide whether you want the check direct deposited into an account or to receive the check by mail. 

The federal government is going out of its way to be helpful to taxpayers in being sure all stimulus checks are received.  The belief is that the more money you have in your pocket and the more you spend, the sooner we can pull out of the recession.

TurboTax will automatically notify you if you qualify for a stimulus payment. Visit TurboTax Online to learn more about the stimulus check package.

So be sure to claim what is yours – file that missing return today!