Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center

Since the payments began, the IRS has been fielding a variety of questions on the payment schedule and amounts, factors affecting direct deposit of payments and the eligibility requirements. Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions. More questions? Check out our other frequently asked questions.

Economic stimulus payments will continue on a weekly basis through July. The last two-digits of your Social Security number and whether you opted for direct deposit into your financial account or a paper check will determine when you receive your payment. Find out when you should receive yours, or check on the status of your payment, right here on the payment schedule.

Questions about your payment or direct deposit? See these Frequently Asked Questions.

Want to estimate the amount of your payment? Have a copy of your 2007 tax return handy and access the Economic Stimulus Calculator.

Expecting your payment? A new, interactive, online tool, called Where's My Stimulus Payment?, is now available for you to check the amount and status of your economic stimulus payment. However, please wait to use this tool until on or after the scheduled date of your payment as listed in the schedule (link above), since your payment information will not be available on the tool until that time. Check out Where's My Stimulus Payment? 

Starting in late April, the Treasury began sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.

Even though April 15 has passed, there is still time for retirees, disabled veterans and others who normally do not file a tax return to submit a 2007 form to receive an economic stimulus payment.

Need some quick and basic information? We have it for you right here.

• Basic Information on the Stimulus Payments
• IR-2008-18, IRS Will Send Stimulus Payments Automatically Starting in May; Eligible Taxpayers Must File a 2007 Tax Return to Receive Rebate
• FS-2008-15, Facts about the 2008 Stimulus Payments
• IR-2008-21, More Information on Stimulus Payments Posted to IRS.gov; New Details for Recipients of Social Security, Veterans Benefits
• IR-2008-28, Special Economic Stimulus Letters Reach Mailboxes in March
• IR-2008-37, Special Economic Stimulus Payment Packages Go to Social Security, Veterans Recipients

What does it look like for you?

• Married with Qualifying Children
• Married without Qualifying Children
• Married Filing Separately, with or without Qualifying Children
• Single (Head of Household) with Qualifying Children
• Single without Qualifying Children

If you have at least $3,000 in certain types of income, you may be eligible for the economic stimulus payment. You also may be able to use Free File - Economic Stimulus Payment. See the special types of benefits or income that qualify below:

• Especially for Social Security Recipients - Information for people who receive retirement, disability or survivors' benefits 
• Especially for Veterans Affairs Recipients - Information for people who receive pension, disability and survivors' benefits
  
• Especially for Railroad Retirement Recipients - Information for people who receive Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits
• Especially for Low-Wage Workers - Information for people who receive a wages, salary, tips, etc. or who are self-employed
  
• Especially for Military Combat Personnel - Information for members of the military serving in a combat zone 

We have the answers to your questions in Stimulus Payments: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Be aware that identity thieves are already pushing scams involving the stimulus payments. At least one telephone scam is making the rounds using the proposed rebates as bait. News release IR-2008-11, IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting, has more details

Information For Businesses

• IR-2008-58, IRS To Issue Guidance on Special 50-Percent Depreciation Allowance
• IR-2008-22, 2008 Economic Stimulus Act Provides Tax Benefits to Businesses

Check out the complete list of IRS-issued news releases, audio files, fact sheets and legal guidance related to the stimulus payments.