Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million individuals. The stimulus payments will go out through the late spring and summer.

The vast majority of Americans who qualify for the payment will not have to do anything other than file their 2007 individual income tax return to receive their payment this year. The IRS will use information on the tax return to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payments.

For more information on the stimulus payments, including the amounts and eligibility requirements:

• View IR-2008-18, IRS Will Send Stimulus Payments Automatically Starting in May; Eligible Taxpayers Must File a 2007 Tax Return to Receive Rebate.
   
• View FS-2008-15, Facts about the 2008 Stimulus Payments.
• View Questions and Answers on the stimulus payments.
• View IR-2008-21, More Information on Stimulus Payments Posted to IRS.gov; New Details for Recipients of Social Security, Veterans Benefits
   
• Listen to the Feb. 13 media briefing on the economic stimulus checks.
   
• Listen to IRS acting Commissioner Linda Stiff summarzing the key points of the economic stimulus payments in English or in Spanish.

Stimulus Payment Examples

The eligibility for and amount of stimulus payments to taxpayers will vary according to their income and family situations. Here are the various scenarios:

• Married with Children
• Married without Qualifying Children
• Single (Head of Household) with Children
• Single without Qualifying Children

Information for Recipients of Social Security Benefits

The IRS and Treasury will be working closely with the Social Security Administration along with beneficiary organizations to ensure that all eligible individuals know what to do to receive a stimulus payment. In many cases, the taxpayer will be able to use the short tax return Form 1040A. 

For more information, see:

• FS-2008-16, Stimulus Payments: Instructions for Low-Income Workers and Recipients of Social Security and Certain Veterans’ Benefits 

Information for Recipients of Veterans' Benefits

The IRS and Treasury will be working closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs along with beneficiary organizations to ensure that all eligible individuals know what to do to receive a stimulus payment. In many cases, the taxpayer will be able to use the short tax return Form 1040A. 

For more information, see:

• FS-2008-16, Stimulus Payments: Instructions for Low-Income Workers and Recipients of Social Security and Certain Veterans’ Benefits.

A sample of a filled-in 1040A Form

See an example of how to fill in Form 1040A

Consumer Alert on Rebate Scams

Taxpayers should be aware that there are identity theft scams involving the proposed advance payment checks, known informally as rebates to many Americans. The IRS knows of at least one telephone scam making the rounds which uses the proposed rebates as bait.

Related Items:

• IR-2008-11, IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting
• 1040 Central