Stores look to cash in on tax rebate checks; not everyone will get full amount

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Many stores are offering special deals, hoping to encourage customers to spend their tax stimulus rebate checks

Many stores are offering special deals, hoping to encourage customers to spend their tax stimulus rebate checks. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — Those long-promised tax stimulus rebate checks are headed your way. But for some people, it may not be as much as you thought.

130 million Americans will get a check from the federal government to help stimulate the economy.

If you filed your taxes and chose direct deposit, you could see your rebate any day now.

A lot of stores are hoping to see some of that money come their way, so they’re offering special deals.

As soon as that government check comes in the mail, a lot of people don't plan on keeping it long.

"I'm gonna spend it!” one shopper told WSBT News.

And retailers are just as excited. At Sears there is a special deal for customers.

"They'll be able to have the opportunity to cash their check in to buy a Sears gift card and then we will give them 10 percent of the total value of their check in another gift card,” explained Bill Schlatterbeck.

Wal-Mart stores are also trying to see some of that money by offering to cash your rebate at the checkout counter for free. But the government says, when it comes to these stimulus checks, there might be a catch.

Some people may not have as much to spend as they thought.

A single tax filer can expect $600. A married couple can look forward to $1,200, with 300 more per child.

However, not if you owe the government. If you owe past-due taxes, have overdue government student loans, or owe any back child support, you'll get what's left, if anything, after the debt is settled.

If you aren't sure if you owe anything to the government, there is a phone number you can call: 1-800-304-3107.

The checks started going out this week; they should all be mailed by July. When you get your check depends on your Social Security number too.

If you filed your taxes this year and did direct deposit, you'll get yours faster and that has to do with your Social Security number. The lower the number, the faster you'll see your check in the bank.

Wednesday, May 28 at 11:00 PM artglee musgrove wrote ...

my wife is sick from 19/97 not able to work i have to take cair of her now my eyes is bed not able to work i need help ican use that money. i pay $409 for gas food so high

Tuesday, May 27 at 10:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...

why is it the poor people get back less and rich people get back more thats a little unfair dont ya think i have 2 kids that need school clothes groceries etc. and rich people get back more whats up with that looks to me like rich people wouldnt need back as much

Wednesday, May 7 at 11:10 AM Jen wrote ...

Ya know the more you make the more you get... that is typical Bush policy. Help the rich forget the poor. The less you make the less you get. Those are the people that need it the most!

Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 AM Charles wrote ...

I guess student loan got another tax check coming again this year.They took my 4,000 ,now they'll take my 1,200.

Monday, May 5 at 12:12 PM Educated wrote ...

Do any of you even realize where the money is coming from. It is an early rebate from the current years tax return. You are getting a portion of your money now instead of next year when you file your tax return. Why do some of you think that the more money you make the more you get back thus the rich getting richer. Don't you understand that the more money you make (and depending on your W4), the more taxes u pay. The more taxes u pay,the more of your own money u get back based on the return

Friday, May 2 at 10:30 AM Anonymous wrote ...

married with no children. Earn together last year, $64,000.got rebate of $1,083 and still trying to figure this amount!!!!!

Friday, May 2 at 7:03 AM Lawsy, lawsy, lawsy wrote ...

It's just like Bill Maher said: the tax rebate checks in their ridiculously small amount are comparable to your grandfather giving you five bucks. Look at the price of gas (and groceries) folks. Things are so out of hand economically that the government is indeed throwing us a [tiny] bone in hopes that we won't riot in the streets!

Thursday, May 1 at 11:38 AM Grumpy-1 wrote ...

Can't anyone be thankful? Whether it's 1200, 600, 300 or even 29.95 that's more $$ than you had before to buy food, pay bills, etc. Stop griping, get a job, pay your debts and shut up.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 10:26 PM curious wrote ...

For those of you complaining about not getting the full amount. How big of a refund did you already get? If you didn't not get a refund at all and had to pay then fine you are justified but if you got a hefty refund shut your trap and be thankful you got the amount you got!!!!!!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:40 PM This is the deal wrote ...

Money was meant to be spent. Whether it's a tax refund, unclaimed money, stimulus payment, a bonus check, lottery winning, etc. It's human nature to spend. Whatever amount you get back you're going to spend it on bills, food, and some people just for the heck of it will blow off some of the money, in any case no matter what you use it for, it's going back right where it came from the GOVERNMENT, the gas prices will still be rising! Wow a stimlus payment versus recession. The govt thew us a bone!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:54 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Gas, food, clothes, utilities...that is our money will go towards. It is funny that we have these rebate checks, but the price of gas has raised to 3.75 a gallon. Mr. President please help us there.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:40 PM Nancy Miller wrote ...

The stimulus will be gone ina flash, paying bills, high grocery prices, etc. Chump change for today's economy!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:26 PM Steve wrote ...

Anonymous, you are such an idiot - find something useful to do with your time.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

since you most of you are smart enough to use the internet, if you had gone to www.irs.gov and used their rebate calculator, you could have found out what you ere going to get back.... if have zero tax liability (ie, you get everything back and the some) you get $300. makes PERFECT sense to me

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:06 PM Mike wrote ...

I am astounded by the lack of intelligence & common sense reflected in many of these posts!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 5:04 PM Steve-O wrote ...

Angie-why would they give you more money if you didnt make alot. That wouldnt be fair to people who make more money. You have to put more in to get more back. if in your case then every high school kid with a job would get 600

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 5:03 PM Complain, Complain, Complain wrote ...

For those of you who got less than you think was "owed" to you, you will be receiving an explanation about why your check was what it was. I am sure there is an explanation. I would just like to say, I can't wait to buy my new laptop!!! Instead of complaining, just consider it more money than you had before....

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 4:10 PM Sara wrote ...

Has anyone actually seen the money direct deposited in your account yet?

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 4:08 PM Wittgenstein wrote ...

Tax Guy; thanks. If I just ask, no one replies, but if I shoot my mouth off then I can rely on the human ego to supply a swift correction.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:56 PM Carla wrote ...

Anonymous - um duh, I did the math. Just like Katrina said, she did not get the full amount. I'm married - 1 child, but only getting 900 not 1500 like this article leads you to think. Think before you post you idiot.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:53 PM Anonymous wrote ...

So, some of you think Bush gave this incentive money so you could buy more gas and make him richer? Wow, why do you guys think he's so dumb? That sounds brilliant, don't you think?

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:27 PM Angie wrote ...

They didn't tell you if make 25,000 or less and are married you only get 300.00 per person they so the less you make the less you get back the more you make the more you get back I filed married filing joint I only get back 600.00 and not the 1200.00 like it says married couples filing joint would get back somethings wrong if you make more and get back more and if you make less you get less back. somethings wrong some where dont you think

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Bush is an oil man, even after he is out of office he will still be an oil man. If we have to spennd all of the "stimulus" money on gas, it is just more money for him.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:36 PM Kevin wrote ...

I am unfortunatly going to have to spend some on "frivalous" items. My kids have to have shoes and clothes. Most of it is going to bills though.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:31 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Um.... you don't have to pay taxes on this.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:57 PM Trying to stay above water in South Bend wrote ...

To all my fellow Americans, not once has anyone thought about what the government giveth, the government taketh away! Remember when filing your 2008 tax return, you have to claim this "stimulus payment" and be taxed as well. Yes, the government is stimulating the economy-just think all the money they are giving to Americans, the government is getting back in two-folds - that's right, you have to pay taxes on that money come tax time! Thanks Uncle Same, knew you would get something out of it!!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:39 PM Candy wrote ...

This check isnt going to help stimulate the economy, thats a joke. I have to use mine for bills, bills that I have gotten behind on, since I now have to spend 80.00 a week to put gas in my car!I am a single mother with 2 teenagers, & I work 2 jobs, & still cant make ends meet because of this. Its sickening

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:26 PM Katrina wrote ...

I got my 1763.00 ...Thanks Bush... But let me see... I made AGI 36302.00... Married filling jointly says will be 1200 plus 300 per kid. I have 3 kids. We only got 1763.00. Seems like 1200 for the married couple and 300 per kid. That is $2100.00. I got shorted 337.00. But not to complain. I have 1763.00 more dollars to divide into groups of 2, FOOD AND GAS!! Thanks BUSH.. we will be okay for a few more weeks

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:24 PM Tax Guy wrote ...

In response to Wittgenstein, you are way wrong my friend. The Federal Governments tax offset program is not setup to take past due credit card debt from your tax money. The only money they can take is default student loans, past due taxes, or back child support. If they could take past due credit card payments, hardly anyone in America would be seeing this money. See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/fop/fop.htm for more info, and do not post when you have no clue what you are saying

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:58 PM Jennie wrote ...

What about grandparents who have custody of child that missing leg and arm and has to travel hr to get medical for her prosthetic leg and still feed,cloth and be happy. Why did we not get extra money for a child that is disable.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 12:02 PM wittgenstein wrote ...

By law, if you owe any money, say, on student loans or credit cards, the amount of the rebate check will be offset by that much. So, if you owe 1200 dollars or more, you aint getting diddly. How many of us have credit card debt., student loan debt, etc.? These checks, therefore, will go a long way to shore up the banking industry, which is probably what they were about all along.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 11:25 AM hillery wrote ...

my opinion..not that u asked..most Americans would rather see this $ spent more wisely by the Government. But then look at how bad the Gov. spends...attn. Mr Pres. you oil barron you....

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 11:10 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Carla: Um... if you make X amount up to X amount you either get $300 or $600. If you got a kid, you get $300 each one. couple get iether $600 or $1200. Do the math.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 10:52 AM selena wrote ...

Hey single mothers what about us if merry couples get 1200 plus 300 per child what happen to single mothers who have to find a way to feed our children Bush didint think about us we should be the first ones who needed help not the merry ones. I think that realy sucks. Thank so much you white head means you suck Bush

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 10:51 AM CS wrote ...

Bush is so out of touch with the everyday people, his head's so far up in the clouds and the oil company's butts that he has no idea that these checks won't have any impact on "frivolous" spending. Everyone has to deal with the bills, food, and medicine that we can no longer afford. Sorry Sears and Walmart, other than food and gas, I won't be buying anything else at your stores!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 9:53 AM andrea wrote ...

our check will be used to pay down medical bills, and house payment. I am going to stimulate the economy purchasing a new window. So my heat bill may go down. I am very appreciative. Every little bit helps.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 9:47 AM tim wrote ...

i do not think that it is ironic that gas prices are now at 3.75 a gallon. coincidence? i think not

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 9:28 AM Shonta wrote ...

HA! Stimulus check my butt! People will not be going to the store to jack off this little money...and I'm like everyone else, where is the money coming from? And yes, the monopoly of utilities have first dabs...and then the grocery stores as many of us haven't had food in a while. The gas station will make plenty of money as people will be able to fill their tanks...which is something some of us never had the chance to do. After that, the rebate check will be gone and we're still in the hole

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:01 AM Carla wrote ...

re: not fooled The answer to your question is that the rebate money is being borrowed from China - adding to our national debt. And just because they say 75,000 or less income will get 1200 per couple and 300 per child - that is the max you might get! Go to irs.gov to see what you will actually get, the less you make the less you get!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:09 AM Hey American Idiots wrote ...

The money is coming from the same people that are driving up the price of oil. The Chinese Government. We sold them some US Treasury Bonds to pay all of you people $1200 so you can shop at Wal-Mart and buy Communist Chinese goods! I say DRILL IN ANWAR IN our OWN country. There is more oil there than there is in Saudi Arabia!!!!

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 3:00 AM Anonymous Granger wrote ...

Well, $1200. Hmmm, OK, let's see...shall I get caught up on bills? Buy some food I haven't had in a long time? Buy gas a few times??? Or...let's see, shall I pay my past due mortgage? Shall I take my dog to the vet who is sick? Wow, I can hardly wait. I don't know what to do first!! Most certainly I will not be going to the mall or anywhere. This stimulas rebate should be about 5K if they want to stimulate anything.

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:28 AM Corey wrote ...

Oh well the oil is running out it is part of life... they have to charge a lot for gas

Wednesday, Apr 30 at 1:49 AM julie wrote ...

thanks Bush I can really use it!

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 9:27 PM Sam wrote ...

Show me the money.....it is tough times...spend what?? more gas???

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 9:19 PM Trebor wrote ...

My check will go to repairing my car from driving on mine fields over the winter. Hope the local merchants are not getting too excited!! Then there is medical bills and medicine expenses from having horrible insurance!!! Ops, almost forgot about spending out of the family savings to keep gas in the tank. Thanks Washington!!!!! both parties are not working for us.

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 8:25 PM Not fooled wrote ...

I'm just curious. $600 for a single, 1,200 a couple $300 per child IF they make $75,000 @ yr or less combined income. How much do they expect to pay out in total cost, actual 'rebate' plus cost of generating this program such as adminstrative and postal expense? Where is this money coming from? We know WHY they claim to be doing it; to stimulate the economy. It's more like the republicans are inviting everyone to their party and providing funds in which to purchase a gift; our vote! No Sale

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 8:10 PM lol wrote ...

do these greedy retail stores think there deals are good deals??? utility companies and our gas tanks has first dibs..and what is a 10% discount anyway?? not much when price of butter went up, hope folks dont fall for that...and i hope they realize it was there money in first place so whoopie doo!!!

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 7:13 PM disgruntled citizen wrote ...

ya, looks like it will be an opec,exon,bp, etc. stimulus package

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 6:55 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Hay how about those of us that have ours direct deposited. We won't have a check to cash, so I guess they do not want our money.

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 6:44 PM Anonymous wrote ...

with these gas prices bushes stimulus package has failed already,does he really think people are going to waste this money?they are going to use it very wisely!!!

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 6:42 PM Carla wrote ...

The tax rebates go by how much you make - in essence, the rich get richer and the poor get less!!!!!!!

Tuesday, Apr 29 at 6:14 PM Patrick McLane wrote ...

I think you missed one of the stores that made a big move today to get your tax rebate check money, the big oil companies. Now with gas at $3.75 a gallon they will also get a big slice of that pie.

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