The economic stimulus payments, or tax rebate if you prefer, will be made to recipients on a schedule that involves the last two digits of the social security number. In order to receive this rebate, individuals must have filed a tax return and have a valid social security number. Those filing joint returns will be sorted for distribution by the name and number appearing first on the tax return.
The IRS has indicated that payments will begin with social security numbers ending in '00' and will end with numbers ending in '99'. Numeric discrimination if I've ever seen it! But I end up in the first group, so I guess it's okay after all :>)
Then, adding insult to injury for even more citizens, the people filing electronically get a pass to go to the front of the line. I won again; I'd better remember to buy a PowerBall ticket! Paper filers will receive checks and electronic filers will see a direct deposit made to their bank account.
The payment schedule looks like this:
If you have more detailed questions, the main IRS site at IRS.gov carries a front page link for details.
Will this really 'stimulate' the economy? I doubt it, but it seems nice to receive a check from the IRS instead of always sending money to that agency. Interesting isn't it that this should be timed to arrive just preceding the fall elections? There I go with that cynical side of the Curmudgeon showing again.
