Is My IRS Stimulus Check Considered "Income" on My 2008 Tax Return?

Your stimulus payment from last year should not be included as income when you file your 2008 tax return.

Most people received the maximum Economic Stimulus Payment in 2008. However, some people may be eligible for a first time credit or for a larger payment than they were eligible for last year.

This amount is called a Recovery Rebate Credit . You'll need to have the amount of your Stimulus Payment from last year so you can figure out whether or not you're eligible to receive this credit.

Here's how you find out what your 2008 stimulus check was:

Go to How Much Was My 2008 Stimulus Check? It's an IRS link.

Make sure you have the following information or you won't be able to use this online tool:

• Your Social Security Number
• Your 2007 Filing Status
• Number of Exemptions claimed on your 2007 tax return

For more in depth details about the Recovery Rebate Credit, visit the IRS site on the topic.

Good luck and take care!Attorney Jack Manhire is an 11-year veteran tax attorney who has helped individual, corporate, and government clients save over $127,000,000 in back IRS taxes. You can contact him by posting a comment on his blog at http://taxhelpirs.blogspot.com/.