# Why do I have an extra $803 in my tax refund? Is this the "Bush Tax Cut?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 27, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955 "2008-03-27T19:21:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/1 "2008-03-27T19:21:43Z")
I filed a 1040 in mid-February and expected a refund of $2103. I checked my bank account today, and noticed the IRS had made a deposit in the amount of $2906. I’m a single male with reported income under $50,000. Is this extra $800 part of the Bush tax refund, or whatever the hell it is? I recall hearing in the media that there is supposed to be a tax cut worth about $1600 to families. I’ve tried researching this on the web and can’t find anything specific. Your help is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/2 "2008-03-27T19:48:18Z")
I got a letter from the IRS stating that the payments under the economic stimulus act would go out in May. Also, isn’t that in multiples of $300? ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/3 "2008-03-27T20:02:35Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] I got a letter from the IRS stating that the payments under the economic stimulus act would go out in May. Also, isn’t that in multiples of $300? [/QUOTE] My letter said multiples of up to $600; up to $600 for singles, up to $1200 for married couples. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/4 "2008-03-27T20:12:42Z")
No, the extra $803 is not due to the economic stimulus package. The most likely reason for the larger-than-expected refund is that there was a mistake on your tax return and the IRS fixed it for you. You should receive a letter explaining the changes they made. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/5 "2008-03-27T20:17:30Z")
Multiples of $300: [http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html#busi\_top](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html#busi_top) To answer the OP, no, the first stimulus payments don’t go out until May 2, and then only if you have an SSN that ends in 00-20. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/6 "2008-03-27T21:06:53Z")
[QUOTE=Gus Gusterson] No, the extra $803 is not due to the economic stimulus package. The most likely reason for the larger-than-expected refund is that there was a mistake on your tax return and the IRS fixed it for you. You should receive a letter explaining the changes they made. [/QUOTE] Agree, this happened to me before, but in their favor- nice to see they will also do it in your favor, if that’s what they did. Also, the rebate is supposed to come in the form of a separate check, no? ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/7 "2008-03-27T23:30:33Z")
[QUOTE=Gus Gusterson] No, the extra $803 is not due to the economic stimulus package. The most likely reason for the larger-than-expected refund is that there was a mistake on your tax return and the IRS fixed it for you. You should receive a letter explaining the changes they made. [/QUOTE] Apparently I posted too quickly–you are right. I got a letter today from the IRS that said I had significantly over-reported my taxable income for this year. I am going to have to take more time doing my taxes in the future, methinks… though I’m glad the government is so honest. 😛 Mods–you can lock this thread if you wish, question has been answered. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-have-an-extra-803-in-my-tax-refund-is-this-the-bush-tax-cut/442955/8 "2008-03-28T01:36:18Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] Also, the rebate is supposed to come in the form of a separate check, no? [/QUOTE] You should hope not. In addition to the “in order by the last two digits of your SSN” wrinkle, folks who have their refunds direct deposited will get their “rebate” first. Luddites who want a check will be last. 😉