Tax Rebate Check Status Notices

Over $40 Million To Send Tax Rebate Check Status Notices

It will cost over $40 million dollars for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to send you a letter telling you your tax rebate check status. This actually means essentially that they are going to tell you that, the tax rebate check is in the mail. Actually, it will cost more like $41.8 million dollars and the tax rebate checks will almost be in the mail. These letters will simply point out to the recipient taxpayer that they should expect to get a 2008 Stimulus Payment as part of the government’s economic stimulus plan.

During the month of March these tax rebate check status notices are earmarked to go out to more than 130 million different households who filed federal income tax returns for the 2006 tax year. With a cost of $41.8 million dollars, this comes out to about 32 cents for them to process, print and then mail each notice. This does not take into account for all of those households and individuals who did not file a federal tax return for the 2006 but may still qualify for this rebate.

Some have openly stated that the administration is just wasting money, for political reasons and political gains. It was stated that the money could have been far better spent on tracking down tax cheats than giving themselves a pat on the back for a job well done. The notices are basically to let people know what to expect and how the tax rebate process will work.

The letters will start out with a "Dear Taxpayer" greeting and then will state that the IRS is happy to let them know that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law an economic stimulus plan that provides rebates of up to $1,200 for married couples who file jointly and up to $600 for individuals for taxpayers who qualify. These tax rebate checks are part of a $168 billion dollar economic stimulus plan.

In the notices, there will be a reminder that taxpayers need to make sure that they file their regular 2007 so that they can get the rebate checks if they are eligible.

Additional notices that are similar will go out those who receive veteran benefits and Social Security payments. A group that does not normally have to file taxes. The notices will outline to them exactly how to determine if they are eligible based on their Social Security benefits, veterans benefits and earned income. The minimum for this group will be basically $300 for individuals and $600 for couples and joint filers.

For taxpayers who earned less than the $3,000, and illegal immigrants and essentially anyone who doesn't file a tax return, will miss out on these tax rebates. Individuals with AGI's over $87,000 and couples with AGI's over $174,000 will also lose out as they would be phased out based on the rebate formula.