Payments will start being mailed out on May 2, and when they are received depends on the last two digits of a taxpayer’s Social Security numbers. Those who filed their income taxes using direct deposit will have their payments directly deposited also. The rest of the payments will be mailed to households.

The checks are not taxable and will not reduce 2007 or 2008 refunds, nor will it increase the amount a household will owe come filing time in 2008, said Ms. Scott, an Internal Revenue Service employee whose first name has been withheld. 

“The amount that a person receives is directly based on their marital status, the number of children living in their household and how much money he or she earned over the course of a year,” she said. She added that not every citizen qualifies to receive the stimulus payments and someone has to have earned more than $3,000 in 2007. Income from Social Security Benefits, Veterans Affairs Benefits and Railroad Retirement Benefits are included in the required earnings.

Citizens who have a valid Social Security Number, who can not be claimed as a dependent on a tax return, and have a yearly income of more than $3,000 may qualify, however there are some stipulations that may disqualify a taxpayer, such as receiving food stamps or child support, Scott said. 

Single taxpayers who qualify can expect a payment up to $300 and married couples may receive up to $600. Single taxpayers and couples who have children will receive an additional $300 per child who is under the age of 17. If a couple is filing, both must have a valid Social Security number in order to receive payment.

There are maximum income limits as well, Scott said. Payments will be reduced by five percent if an individual tax payer makes more than $75,000, or a couple that makes more than $150,000.

“President Bush knew the economy needed a boost, and we hope that taxpayers who receive a rebate will put the money back into the economy by shopping,” Scott said.