Last stimulus checks should be mailed by July 11

Many East Valley taxpayers still are waiting to receive their economic stimulus checks from the Internal Revenue Service. Nearly all of those who filed their returns on time and chose direct deposit already should have received their payments, said Raphael Tulino, IRS spokesman.

Paper checks now are being mailed and, for those who filed on time, the final paper checks should be mailed by July 11. The schedule for mailing is according to the last two digits of a taxpayer’s Social Security number. For example, checks will be mailed June 6 for taxpayers whose last two digits are 26 through 38. The final checks will be mailed July 11 for those whose last two digits are 88 through 99.

For taxpayers who were required to file an income tax return, the IRS used their 2007 tax returns to determine eligibility for economic stimulus payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples). There is also a payment of $300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.

“For most of us, you have to have paid at least $600 or have $600 in (federal) tax liability, or $1,200 for a joint return, to get the maximum of $600 and $1,200,” Tulino said. “If you’re lower than that, you might see a number that’s akin to your tax liability based on what’s on your tax form for 2007.”

Also, a taxpayer may receive a smaller payment if he or she owes any money to the IRS, he said.

An estimated 229,600 Arizonans received an extension to file, and they won’t receive a stimulus payment until after they file their returns, Tulino said.

“Once the IRS gets the return and processes it, then the payment should kick out a couple of weeks later,” he said. “If there’s a refund owed to the taxpayer, the refund will go out first and then the stimulus payment will follow behind it.”

The filing deadline for those who received an extension is Oct. 15, and the IRS is authorized to issue stimulus checks through Dec. 31.

“If you’re one of those taxpayers who misses out altogether for one reason or another, you’ll have a chance to reconcile and file again for the stimulus payment in 2009 for the 2008 tax year,” Tulino said.

Also, it’s never too late for people who normally don’t have to file, such as those on Social Security, to do so and receive a stimulus payment, he said.

 Where’s your stimulus check?
* Visit www.irs.gov and click on “Rebate Payment Questions?” and “When Will You Get Your Stimulus Payment?”.
* Call the toll-free rebate hot line at 1-866-234-2942.