IRS will send stimulus payments automatically
The Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service said that in most cases, taxpayers will not have to do anything extra this year to get the economic stimulus payments beginning in May.
According to the Associated Press, President Bush signed legislation today to send $300 to $1,200 rebate checks to millions of Americans as a "booster shot" for the economy.
Commenting on that legislation, IRS spokesperson Peggy Riley said in a statement, “If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return and the IRS will do the rest.”
The IRS will use information on the 2007 tax return filed by the taxpayer to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payments, she said, and the IRS will begin sending taxpayers their payments in early May after the current tax season concludes.
Payments to more than 130 million taxpayers will continue over several weeks during the spring and summer, said the IRS, which added that a payment schedule for taxpayers will be announced soon.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)
