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 …

The IRS is sending checks to taxpayers through the Economic Stimulus Package.  The IRS sent the first wave of payments via direct deposit.  Now the IRS is sending out stimulus checks via mail to those who didn't qualify for the direct deposit.  Now some people are asking, " where is my stimulus check? "  I'll help you find out.
Check the Payment Schedule
Your stimulus check will be mailed based on the payment schedule below.  Most people …

Comment by Chris: … or more than your stimulus payment you won't get a check. …

… has accounted for all but 5 million retirees and disabled veterans who might qualify for the stimulus payment.  The IRS is trying to reach this people to encourage them to get their rebate money.  If you are one of these people or know someone who is, here is what you need to do to get the stimulus check.
File Taxes
In most cases it's as easy as filing taxes.  Many retired people and veterans don't file taxes because their benefits are not taxable.  However, for the stimulus

The economic stimulus payment program has been a fiasco. Hundreds of readers have shared their horror stories. You'd think the government could figure out how to get checks to people. Put the check in the mail, what's so hard about that? When government gets involved, simple things get complicated fast. If the government can't mail a check right, why would we let the government take over health care ? …

By now a majority of Americans have received their stimulus payments from the IRS.  If you're wondering what to do with that money, I have some suggestions.

Start an Emergency Fund.
Everybody needs an emergency fund.  Dave Ramsey recommends at least $1,000 until you pay off your debts then you need 3 to 6 months of income.  I recommend you put as much as you can into an emergency fund.   In reality $1,000 is a good start but …

I finally received my stimulus check in the mail yesterday. It came when it was supposed to. With all the horror stories readers have reported, I was a little worried.
However, the check appeared right on time and for the correct amount. We signed it and put it in the bank.
Now what are we going to do with the check? Big screen TV? New furniture? New computer? No. Something else completely.
I'm stashing my …

If you're still waiting for your stimulus payment, you'll want to be on the look out for a notification letter from the IRS. I just got mine. I decided to scan it in so you'd know what to look for.
Here it is in all its government envelope glory:

I've scanned in the letter I received also, but I'll upload that later. I need to read it over first. I'll post the text of the letter once I've scanned it in.
Make …

Comment by Chris:

Are you one of the people who've tried to use the " Where's My Stimulus Payment " tool on the IRS website? Did it not work for you? I've had many people report that it didn't work for them, so I decided to try it myself.
Remember that unless you payment is scheduled to be mailed (or deposited) it won't show up on the "where's my stimulus" site.
You should check the Payment Schedule prior to using this application since your payment information …

You're expecting a stimulus payment check from the IRS. You filed a joint tax return for 2007. However, you're now divorced and the check is in both of your names. What do you do?
Well, like most checks that are made out to two people, most places (banks, etc) will require both signatures to cash the check. The key here is to understand the difference between AND and OR. If the check is made out to …

Many Americans can still qualify for the economic stimulus payment. This is good news for those don't normally file a tax return or may have made a mistake on their taxes.
According to a press release from the IRS, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman wants people to know they still have time to qualify for the stimulus payment. They just need to file a tax return.
Can I Still File After April 15th?
Yes. The IRS wants people to …

« go backkeep looking »