Is the government really giving out "fun money?  

Here is a website that should help anser your questions about the 2008 tax rebate plan
http://money.cnn.com/2008...

Individula who earn under 75,000 a year will get a refund up to $300 plus $300 per child, couples who make under 100,000 will receive up to $600 plus $300 per child.
People on social security are also eligilbe but you have to have filed a 2007 tax return to qualify for the rebate some people on social security don't file taxes.
Just click the link above and alot of your questions will be answered.

Here's the deal... if you are a taxpayer, then you qualify for $300-$600 (as long as you make less than $74,000 p/yr) If you have children, you will receive $300 per child.
Part of the reason you will not receive money until May the earliest, is because the IRS will wait and see who pays taxes for 2007 and base the amount paid on your tax return.
I would suspect tha many of the rebate checks will arrive in JUne though, so don't count on a May 1st check.
As far as these checks helping to turn the economy around, I also don't see that happening... many families (myself included) will buy food, fuel and pay down bills with the money. Yeah, I'd love to buy that big screen TV I've been wishing for... but I don't see that happening and most of the people I spoke with will pay down their credit cards with the rebate checks.
Oh yeah... 1/3 of the 150+ billion dollars rebate package will be going to businesses

fun money? ha ha that will never happen in africa, there are not even jobless claims here not to talk of government giving out money for fun,its really funny and i would pray that it happens here in africa here as it is happening everywhere else in the world

I wouldn't really call it fun money because if I understand it right the money we get will be taken out of next years refunds.

But yes they are giving out rebates and encouraging everyone to file a tax form even if they won't owe anything.

Mooch

I read that it is only for those who owed taxes and it would be a percentage of that back - so some will only receive a few dollars while others many dollars. I don't know. I just have to remind myself to not count my chickens before they are hatched, ya know what I mean?

I really had to laugh as I read this post. Leave it to our wonderful government to make something that could be so simple seem sooooo complicated! From what I understand individuals with an annual income under $75,000 will get up to $600 and couples under $150,000 will get up to $1200 and an additional $300 will be given per child in some cases. It will not be deducted from you refund this year or next but you do have to file and pay your taxes if you owe before you'll get the rebate. I think it will come in handy for many people obviously but I sure don't see if doing the economy any good. It's an election year ploy for votes, pure and simple. Like the Bush Administration cares about people like us not being able to pay our bills!
Annie

Not meaning to be offensive, but it is obvious that you don't watch the news or follow the economy at all. We are very likely in the middle of a recession and the nation is losing jobs and houses are being foreclosed on. The purpose of the stimulus package is to get people to start spending money instead of cut back on spending to jump start the economy agains.

They are supposedly going to give us a rebate based on income and family status in hopes of boosting the economy. they are hoping we will spend it on luxuries etc. I really don't see it boosting the economy. The poorer you are...the less you'll get. I don't know...I'll take it. I am sure it will go toward bills but maybe i'll splurge a bit ....we'll see. I'm not sure about people on welfare and social security...i didn't hear about that. My understanding was it was only for taxpayers.

Wait a minute...now that you mention something like that, I believe that I've heard something like this last week on "The Clark Howard Show", a show about saving more, spending less, and avoiding getting ripped off. I'm not so sure if it connects to Supplemental Security Income or something similar to low-income earners (BTW, as of January, last month, i'm one of those earners.), he said something about this kind of thing to help people feel that euphoria, the joy of getting and spending money. That's what I heard last Monday. Although i'm not so sure if it ties into this situation.

Yes, it's definitly gonna happen. It will be after we recieve our regular tax money however. I think around June or something like that. Only people who are working will recieve it though. It's to boost the economy and they want you to spend it as soon as you can. You're not allowed to save it. Although, I don't know how the goverment will know whether you save it or spend it but whatever...