Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress approved, and the President signed into law, an economic stimulus plan which is providing many Americans with tax rebates. The plan is expected to give the economy a boost and create jobs by providing tax rebates to families and tax relief to small businesses.More than 130 million families, including 35 million families across the country who work but make too little to pay income taxes, have received or will soon receive a tax rebate. Additionally, the plan will also provide rebate checks to disabled veterans and senior citizens.The IRS has begun to send taxpayer rebates, and it is expected that payments will continue over the next several months. Payments will range from $300-$600 for individuals and $600-$1200 for joint filers. Taxpayers may receive an additional $300 for each qualifying child.If you do not ordinarily file a tax return, it is not too late to claim your economic stimulus payment. In order to receive the payment, you must file a Form 1040A by October 15, 2008. The IRS sent packets to most seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities providing instructions on how to file; however, there are additional tools to assist you in filing available through the AARP at https://aarp-stimulus2008.benefitscheckup.org.Individuals who may not ordinarily file a tax return but who are still eligible for a stimulus payment may include low income workers, recipients of Social Security benefits, or individuals who receive veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you had at least $3,000 of qualifying income in 2007, you will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 or $600 for a joint return.For further information on the economic stimulus program, please visit the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov, or call my Abingdon office at 276.628.1145. Additionally, below are some questions frequently asked about the stimulus payment. I hope you will find this information helpful.• When will I receive my payment?

The IRS has begun sending payments out for those who filed tax returns before April 15, and these payments are expected to continue on a weekly schedule through July. A detailed payment schedule is available at www.irs.gov.

• When will I receive my payment if I filed after April 15?

It will take a minimum of six weeks after you file your return to receive your payment.

• I filed a return by April 15 and the schedule indicates that I should have received my payment; however, I have not. When will I receive my payment?

If you filed your return on time but close to the April 15 deadline, the IRS may not have finished processing it before April 15. Processing times for tax returns and stimulus payments vary. If you are receiving a regular tax refund, the IRS will send the refund first, and your stimulus payment should follow one to two weeks later. If you are not expecting a refund, your stimulus payment generally should arrive a minimum of six weeks after you file. Also, if you chose direct deposit and requested a Refund Anticipation Loan or had your refund deposited into more than one account, you will receive a paper check based on the distribution schedule for paper checks.

• I did not choose direct deposit for my tax refund. Can I choose direct deposit for my stimulus payment?

No. You cannot request a direct deposit after a return has been filed.

• I chose direct deposit on my refund. Can I prevent my stimulus payment from automatically being deposited into the account I identified for my regular refund?

If you designated direct deposit on a tax return, the stimulus payment will be paid to the account number designated. If the account is no longer active, the IRS will send you a paper check; however, the process will take several weeks.

• I received my payment, but it was less than my friends and neighbors. Why?

Your economic stimulus payment is based on information provided on your 2007 income tax return. Many but not all taxpayers qualify for the maximum basic payment of $600 for singles or $1,200 for married couples. Many parents are also receiving an additional $300 for each qualifying child, born after Dec. 31, 1990. Your payment may be less than the maximum for one or more of the following reasons:

• You are single and your net income tax liability is less than $600. If you file Form 1040 net income tax liability is the amount shown on Line 57, plus the amount on Line 52.

• You are married and your net income tax liability is less than $1,200.

• You are single and your adjusted gross income (AGI) is more than $75,000. On Form 1040, AGI is the amount on Line 37.

• You are married filing a joint return and your AGI is more than $150,000.

• You owe back taxes that reduced your payment.

• You have non-tax federal debts such as unpaid student loans or child-support obligations that reduced your payment.

Around the time you receive your payment, you will also receive a notice from the IRS explaining how your payment was calculated. It is important to keep this notice as a record of your economic stimulus payment. In addition, you will receive a separate notice if you owe back taxes or non-tax debts that were offset or deducted from your stimulus payment.• How can I claim my stimulus payment if I have moved since filing my 2007 tax return?

To ensure your check is sent to your new address, you should file a form 8822 with the IRS and a change of address notice with the U.S. Postal Service.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly on newrivervoice.com.