Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Friday, May 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Snafus blocking some rebates, IRS says

Up to 350,000 households are not getting the $300-a-child refund owed as part of economic stimulus rebate payments, IRS officials said Thursday...

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Up to 350,000 households are not getting the $300-a-child refund owed as part of economic stimulus rebate payments, IRS officials said Thursday.

The IRS officials said taxpayers' errors and problems with commercial tax-preparation software were responsible for the problem affecting a tiny percentage of the 130 million taxpayers expected to benefit from the refunds the government began sending out last month.

IRS spokesman Terry Lemons said the agency was confident it had identified all the people affected by the mistake. He said the IRS will send letters to those who missed out on the refund and that checks for the child credit will be mailed in July. People need not contact the IRS or file additional paperwork, he said.

The rebates, the centerpiece of the government's $168 billion plan to revive the economy, provide up to $600 for an individual and $1,200 for married couples, based on income. In addition, people are entitled to $300 for eligible children younger than 17.

He said the problem on the child payments was traced to taxpayers' failing to check a box on their paper tax returns and to two commercial tax-preparation software programs, less than 1 percent of those in use, that were not capturing the information needed to trigger the payment.

The IRS has refunded some $27 billion to about 30 million taxpayers. It expects to hit 130 million refunds by the end of June, with the last checks — except for those who requested extensions — going out in July.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Obama seeks equal partnership in Asia

NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks

Madoff employees arrested

Fort Hood gunman contacted Pakistan, lawmaker says

Immigration on White House agenda

Advertising

Video

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.

Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising