# Economic Stimulus Payment - single filers up to $600?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054 "2008-04-12T17:40:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mycroft\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_H)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/21 "2008-04-13T17:02:56Z")
From my reading of the thread, that is the problem the OP was having. **elfkin477** had first entered his/her actual adjusted income and tax liability, then tried scenarios with other income amounts but forgot to change the tax liability. In effect, they were improperly defined scenarios (such as a 1/2% Fed tax liability as you noted) which is what caused the problem he/she experienced in never getting result that showed a differently valued incentive check. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/22 "2008-04-13T17:13:33Z")
[QUOTE=Duckster] See [http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=177937,00.html](http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=177937,00.html) [/QUOTE] Ah, thanks. So it looks like the wifey was right. We’ll get $1200 for qualifying for income and marriage, and then $300 x 3 children under 17= $2100. Nice. I hope the economy doesn’t mind if I invest it and earn income off it instead of buying an HDTV, though… ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/23 "2008-04-13T17:26:58Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] It’s not confusing, though, as far as I can tell. If you paid \<= 300 in taxes in 2007, you will receive 300. If you paid 300 \< x \<= 600 in taxes in 2007, you will receive the amount of taxes you paid. If you paid \> 600 in taxes in 2007, you will receive 600. So if, over the course of the year, the gov’t withheld $3500, but you actually only owed $500 by the normal rules, then you get a $3000 rebate, as usual. After that, for this special one-time additional rebate, this year, you will also get a $500 rebate. Is this still confusing? -FrL- [/QUOTE] Your post explains it best but it should be noted that if you made more than a certain amount (the amount varies by filing status) your rebate will be reduced, possibly up to the point of not getting one at all. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/24 "2008-05-01T19:21:51Z")
With the Federal debt as monstrously huge as it is, I hope you’ll consider “sending it back”: U.S. Bureau of the Public Debt Attn: Dept. G P.O. Box 2188 Parkersburg WV 26106 ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/25 "2008-05-01T19:49:45Z")
I just sent the IRS a check for more than $20,000. Nice to know I’ll get $1200 back… 'course, I don’t get many services for my $20K… since I don’t even live there. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/26 "2008-05-01T19:52:41Z")
[QUOTE=elfkin477] If earning $4,000 to $74,000 gets you $300, who on earth is going to get the $600 we keep hearing about? [/QUOTE] Me, apparently. Single, no kids, no special circumstances whatsoever except that I was out of work for a portion of last year and didn’t make much money. I withheld extra when I was working though so I got back $800 via the normal refund (I usually owe a similar amount). ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/27 "2008-05-01T19:53:03Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] With the Federal debt as monstrously huge as it is, I hope you’ll consider “sending it back”: U.S. Bureau of the Public Debt Attn: Dept. G P.O. Box 2188 Parkersburg WV 26106 [/QUOTE] Screw that! I’ve got $50 to my name right now. I need that money more than the government does. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/28 "2008-05-01T20:06:18Z")
For those wondering [Where’s my Stimulus Payment](http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=181665,00.html). ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/29 "2008-05-01T20:06:55Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] With the Federal debt as monstrously huge as it is, I hope you’ll consider “sending it back”: U.S. Bureau of the Public Debt Attn: Dept. G P.O. Box 2188 Parkersburg WV 26106 [/QUOTE] Is Bush sending his back? ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/30 "2008-05-01T20:12:48Z")
[QUOTE=Flander] For those wondering [Where’s my Stimulus Payment](http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=181665,00.html). [/QUOTE] Is this working for anyone? I see this: [[QUOTE=irs.gov](http://QUOTE=irs.gov)] Remember, in order to qualify for the Stimulus Payment, you must have filed your 2007 tax return more than 6 weeks ago. [/QUOTE] but I thought you had to file by April 15, which wasn’t more than six weeks ago? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/31 "2008-05-01T20:35:01Z")
[QUOTE=Brown Eyed Girl] but I thought you had to file by April 15, which wasn’t more than six weeks ago? 😕 [/QUOTE] I see this: > [@](#): > > People who file a return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment, but probably about two weeks later than the schedule shows. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/32 "2008-05-01T20:38:34Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Me, apparently. Single, no kids, no special circumstances whatsoever except that I was out of work for a portion of last year and didn’t make much money. I withheld extra when I was working though so I got back $800 via the normal refund (I usually owe a similar amount). [/QUOTE] Your refund amount or withheld amount has no bearing on the stimulus payment. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/33 "2008-05-01T20:40:00Z")
[QUOTE=yoyodyne] Your refund amount or withheld amount has no bearing on the stimulus payment. [/QUOTE] I didn’t think so but I didn’t want to be one of those people in the “my computer is broken!” threads who forgets to mention which OS they’re using. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/34 "2008-05-01T21:52:10Z")
[QUOTE=Desert Nomad] I just sent the IRS a check for more than $20,000. Nice to know I’ll get $1200 back… 'course, I don’t get many services for my $20K… since I don’t even live there. ☹ [/QUOTE] That’s odd – I don’t pay taxes when I’m out of the country more than 270 days in any 365 day period. Well, it’s a little more complicated than that, but in essence I pay almost nothing, although it’s expected that I’m paying the Mexican/Canadian/whoever government. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/35 "2008-05-01T22:32:08Z")
[QUOTE=Brown Eyed Girl] Is this working for anyone? I see this: but I thought you had to file by April 15, which wasn’t more than six weeks ago? 😕 [/QUOTE] It worked for me. Mine is $600 and will be in my bank in 4 days. 🙂 Edit: I filed in the end of January. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/36 "2008-05-01T22:32:52Z")
[QUOTE=Brown Eyed Girl] Is Bush sending his back? [/QUOTE] He isn’t getting one. He makes too much to qualify. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/37 "2008-05-01T22:34:22Z")
[QUOTE=Desert Nomad] I just sent the IRS a check for more than $20,000. Nice to know I’ll get $1200 back… 'course, I don’t get many services for my $20K… since I don’t even live there. ☹ [/QUOTE] If you made enough to pay $20k in taxes, you probably made too much to get a stimulus payment. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/38 "2008-05-01T22:37:58Z")
[QUOTE=Balthisar] That’s odd – I don’t pay taxes when I’m out of the country more than 270 days in any 365 day period. Well, it’s a little more complicated than that, but in essence I pay almost nothing, although it’s expected that I’m paying the Mexican/Canadian/whoever government. [/QUOTE] It is 330 days, not 270. I am legally resident in Dubai (no local taxes), but as a US citizen overseas, once you earn more than I think $85,700, you start paying taxes at normal rates (as if you had earned it in the US). It used to be the 85701st dollar was taxed as if it were the 1st dollar, now it is not. This is in addition to the unemployment taxes I pay to the state of Nevada, but for which I am not eligible to ever collect since I do not live there. I see all my Brit friends paying zero to the UK (they don’t live there), while I send a big chuck to the US every year. ☹ Looking forward to getting a bit of it back this year… sorry, George, I won’t be spending it in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/39 "2008-05-01T22:40:25Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] If you made enough to pay $20k in taxes, you probably made too much to get a stimulus payment. [/QUOTE] I thought so too, but the way the foreign income exclusion works, if the IRS website form is accurate, I will get the full amount. Fingers crossed. Since I have to pay $2000 to have my taxes prepared, it won’t even cover that. Yes my taxes are complicated - I think about 50 pages this year, since I have companies in two countries (one of which does absolutely nothing tho) and live in a third. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054/40 "2008-05-01T22:42:04Z")
[QUOTE=Desert Nomad] It is 330 days, not 270. I am legally resident in Dubai (no local taxes), but as a US citizen overseas, once you earn more than I think $85,700, you start paying taxes at normal rates (as if you had earned it in the US). It used to be the 85701st dollar was taxed as if it were the 1st dollar, now it is not. [/QUOTE] Oops… yup 330. But when did $85700 change? For tax year 2006 it was still taxed as you describe. Glad that I was here in 2007-2008, but now I’m wondering if I should become a Mexican citizen for 2009-2010! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-stimulus-payment-single-filers-up-to-600/445054.md?page=3)