# I just found out I don't qualify for the Economic Stimulus Rebate. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 14, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242 "2008-05-14T03:24:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/1 "2008-05-14T03:24:13Z")
I’m a poor student and my income fell $49 short of the minimum requirements to qualify. I’m just… beside myself. So angry that I’m numb. Thanks for nothing, Dubya! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/2 "2008-05-14T03:26:56Z")
So you’re $49 too poor to get an economic stimulus rebate? This really sucks! And makes no sense! ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/3 "2008-05-14T03:32:03Z")
[QUOTE=Euphonious Polemic] So you’re $49 too poor to get an economic stimulus rebate? This really sucks! And makes no sense! [/QUOTE] The laughably ironic thing is that I was depending on that money to pay for gasoline, since gas is about $3.80 here and I live 45 minutes from school. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/4 "2008-05-14T03:36:35Z")
Had you made that $49, how much of the rebate would you have qualified for? Not the full amount, I’m assuming. I have no idea how this thing works. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/5 "2008-05-14T03:38:31Z")
[QUOTE=Ruken] Had you made that $49, how much of the rebate would you have qualified for? Not the full amount, I’m assuming. I have no idea how this thing works. [/QUOTE] Based on what I’ve read from the IRS, $300 is the minimum one can receive. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/6 "2008-05-14T03:39:25Z")
That’s a kick in the nuts. **{{Agent Foxtrot}}** Last time, we didn’t qualify for the rebate checks because we were too poor. This time, we qualify. We actually make less money and paid fewer taxes this time. The difference? We got married. Answer: **Foxtrot** needs a mate! ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/7 "2008-05-14T04:17:40Z")
[QUOTE=Agent Foxtrot] Based on what I’ve read from the IRS, $300 is the minimum one can receive. [/QUOTE] Nope. Roughly speaking, you can receive less if your income level is sufficiently high. (Again, roughly speaking, since this depends on your deductions.) ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/8 "2008-05-14T11:47:38Z")
[QUOTE=Pullet] That’s a kick in the nuts. **{{Agent Foxtrot}}** Last time, we didn’t qualify for the rebate checks because we were too poor. This time, we qualify. We actually make less money and paid fewer taxes this time. The difference? We got married. Answer: **Foxtrot** needs a mate! [/QUOTE] Okay. Um… you’re a girl right? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/9 "2008-05-14T12:15:12Z")
Crap, that really sucks. Are you postive about this? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/10 "2008-05-14T12:17:28Z")
Don’t worry, it will trickle down to you. Someone will hire you to mow their lawn with that money. Then you can take the left over gas and make a molotov cocktail and BURN THE SYSTEM DOWN! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/11 "2008-05-14T12:37:50Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Crap, that really sucks. Are you postive about this? [/QUOTE] There is a minimum income level for the rebate: $3,000. One dollar below and you get nothing, one dollar above, you get $300. And now for the Crotchety Old Man part of the post: I’m having a hard time working up sympathy for a guy in his late 20’s, who is earning under $3,000 per year because he’s chosen to be a full time student, being mad at the government because they’re not helping him pay his bills. Get off my lawn! ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/12 "2008-05-14T13:21:12Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] I’m having a hard time working up sympathy for a guy in his late 20’s, who is earning under $3,000 per year because he’s chosen to be a full time student, being mad at the government because they’re not helping him pay his bills. [/QUOTE] Uh oh, you touched one of the many SDMB Third Rails…just like I did, when I commented that I’m paying more than the average gross income of the US in Federal taxes, but got jack fucking squat back, because obviously I need to, as they say, “die yuppie scum.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/13 "2008-05-14T13:26:26Z")
How much did you pay in? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/14 "2008-05-14T13:36:00Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] Uh oh, you touched one of the many SDMB Third Rails…just like I did, when I commented that I’m paying more than the average gross income of the US in Federal taxes, but got jack fucking squat back, because obviously I need to, as they say, “die yuppie scum.” :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Fight the power! I get jack squat too. Great, I get to subsidize other people blowing their rebates on whatever - probably oil, which means the Middle East gets the stimulous.. :rolleyes: ---
**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 14, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/15 "2008-05-14T13:37:22Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] Don’t worry, it will trickle down to you. Someone will hire you to mow their lawn with that money. Then you can take the left over gas and make a molotov cocktail and BURN THE SYSTEM DOWN! [/QUOTE] Who the hell can afford to start fires with gas at ~$4 a gallon? ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/16 "2008-05-14T13:45:03Z")
Are you **sure** that at no point in 2007 you worked for someone that paid you $50? (Perhaps as a “household employee”) You are required to declare that income even if you don’t have a W2. You may need to file an amended return. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/17 "2008-05-14T13:57:28Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] There is a minimum income level for the rebate: $3,000. One dollar below and you get nothing, one dollar above, you get $300. And now for the Crotchety Old Man part of the post: I’m having a hard time working up sympathy for a guy in his late 20’s, who is earning under $3,000 per year because he’s chosen to be a full time student, being mad at the government because they’re not helping him pay his bills. Get off my lawn! [/QUOTE] How they try to better themselves through education so they can get a good job and then how dare they listen to the all the political talk about ‘How we’re going to help you in these tough economic times’. They should quit school and work at McDonald’s. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/18 "2008-05-14T13:58:12Z")
Are you a degree candidate and do you receive any scholarship money that is used for expenses such as room and board? That’s also taxable income. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/19 "2008-05-14T14:01:08Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] How much did you pay in? [/QUOTE] Oh he’ll prolly pay lots over his life to cover the deficit from this. To the OP: Don’t feel bad. I didn’t get anything either even though I’ll be paying the deficit for it when I get my certification next spring. Assuming I can manage the gas bill to make it to school. Planning on getting the bike working, but some of my classes are in the evening. Riding down country roads in the dark don’t seem very safe with way people drive. Plus the eternal dread of aliens and/or dueling banjos. d: Missed the rebate by $89 bucks. Michigan’s economy is terrible right now. I was hoping to get my car’s ECU fixed so it wasn’t hogging gas. It’s broke and runs erratic. Oh well keep trying to find a job, and hope I can cover my school costs somehow. Figure I can sell plasma all summer to pay the $4 for gas which my car is eating. To bad I couldn’t just put my plasma directly in the car. Save alot of hassle. Sometimes they have too many people there and turn you away which is like paying $15 for nada. Write your congress critters and let them know how you as a voter feel: [https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml](https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml) > **[U.S. Senate](https://www.senate.gov/)** Btw first post! ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242/20 "2008-05-14T14:05:59Z")
[QUOTE=Pullet] Answer: **Foxtrot** needs a mate! [/QUOTE] And kids! I got $300 for each of mine – $900 big ones. I tell you, I was harboring doubts about whether I should keep the kids up until that moment. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-i-dont-qualify-for-the-economic-stimulus-rebate/449242.md?page=2)