Just when you thought the stimulus payment mess couldn't get any worse, the IRS rises to the challenge and and really screws up. The IRS has apparently sent at least 15,000 checks to the wrong people.
I've been overwhelmed by the number of questions regarding the economic stimulus package and the payments from the IRS. Readers have posted thousands of comments (3,300 at last count) regarding questions, …

Comment by Chris:

If you have children, they may earn you an additional $300 each this year. That's because the economic stimulus package allows for an additional payment for each qualifying child in your household.
How will I know if my children qualify?
The IRS has some basic requirements. First the child has to have a valid SSN ( Social Security Number ). Second the child must have been younger than 17 at …

Comment by Chris: … $300 for you child. The letter the IRS sent you …

How do you define fiasco ? One definition might be the Economic Stimulus Payment from the IRS and the H&R Block Emerald Card. Those taxpayers who've filed with H&R Block and opted to get their tax refund through the H&R Block Emerald Cards are scratching their heads. Will they get their stimulus check in the mail or by direct deposit to the card.
So which is it? The answer depends on who you ask. It's been reported that H&R …

Comment by Julie: … received their stimulus payment that was due to get it …

Due to the large number of questions regarding direct deposit tax refunds, the economic stimulus payment and TurboTax, I've written another article dedicated to TurboTax questions.
What is TurboTax?
Many people file their taxes with TurboTax. I've always used TaxCut by H&R Block but I'm sure the services are very similar. TurboTax is software that you can use either on your desktop (you bought it at BestBuy or Wal Mart and installed it on your computer) or you …

I’ve told a lot of readers with questions about the economic stimulus payment to use the IRS Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator. Specifically the payment calculator should tell you if you qualify for the stimulus payment and the amount of the stimulus payment you will receive. I decided I should try the calculator myself and see if I qualify and how much I will get.
Using the Stimulus Payment Calculator
The IRS Economic Stimulus Payment …

… decided to give you back some of your money. President Bush and the Congress passed the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. Every tax payer gets up to a $600 rebate. The rebate goes up to $1200 if you are filing jointly and you could possibly get another $300 for each qualifying child.
While I’m all in favor of getting my money bank from a corrupt and ineffective bureaucracy, I have to take issue with the cost. You may think I’m talking about the cost of the rebate itself. While …

Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve (the bank's bank) told Congress he supports another stimulus package.  What does this mean for you?
In testimony before congress Bernanke said that he supported another stimulus package.  President push also supported another stimulus package.  However, Bush wants the new package to be "targeted, temporary and timely."
What is the Plan?
Right now the plan is still taking shape.  Any stimulus plan would have to go through …

There is no second stimulus payment as of right now.  There have been rumors and several law makers like Chucky "Cheese" Schumer have been lobbying for another payment.
However, both presidential candidates have come out against another stimulus payment.  Obama wants a different program instead of sending money directly to people who could use it, he wants the money to go to the state and federal …

Expecting your stimulus check but you've moved since you've filed your taxes ?  There are a few things you need to do to make sure you get your stimulus payment.
According to rumors on the internet, the post office is not supposed to forward mail from the IRS.  However I have yet to find an authoritative source that supports this.
If you've moved since filing your return, you should put in a change …

Now that most of the payments have been sent, we can analyze the Economic Stimulus Package of 2008.  Was the economy stimulated?  Did the payment really help people?  Was it all worth it?
I've answered so many questions about the stimulus payment that I've quite frankly gotten sick of the whole thing.  It's ridiculous how much confusion it caused.
We'll never know what kind of impact the stimulus payment had on the economy.  The economy of the United States …

Comment by jimb: I think the stimulus payment was a joke. Bush used …

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