Yet even more Q&As on tax rebates
Questions on tax rebates continue to roll in after yesterday’s column.
Your questions were posed to IRS spokesman Jim Dupree in Baltimore. Here are his answers:
Q. Where do you get 1040A forms?
A. You can call us at 1-800-829-FORMS (3676) and request them. IRS Forms are also available at some Post Offices and public libraries. Lastly, you can stop at your nearest IRS office to get them.
Q. If the rebate is an advance on the reduction in 2008 tax rates, doesn’t that mean that any refund next year ( if I get one) will be reduced by the advance (rebate) this year?
A. You will not owe tax on your stimulus payment when you file your 2008 federal income tax return. But you should keep a copy of the IRS letter you receive later this year listing the amount of your payment. In the event you do not qualify for the full amount this year but you do next year, you will need to have the letter as a record of the amount you previously received.
Q. I filed early this year even though I owed money to the IRS. However, this meant that I didn’t show any bank routing information. You answered the question for people filing now, but is there any way that someone like me can arrange for Direct Deposit now?
A. Taxpayers who filed earlier and did not fill out the direct deposit line on their return will receive a paper check by mail.
Q. I read your article on the tax rebates. First, let me say it was a great article and it was explained in layman’s terms. I would also like to know if someone is divorced how will they know who the custodial parent is or who the child or children live with?
A. In the case of a divorced couple, entitlement to the $300 child rebate follows the rules for entitlement of the regular child tax credit. The normal rule is that the custodial parent claims the credit, unless a court-filed agreement between the parties specifies otherwise.
Q.If you file an injured spouse claim can or will they hold your money? If so, is there anything that can be done about it, especially if only one spouse worked?
A. No, filing an injured spouse claim will not hold your payment. Injured spouse claims are handled based on your original return filing and will include the stimulus payment. You will not need to file an additional 8379 if it has already been filed. You will only need to file one if you haven't already done so.
Comments
I don't feel this question was answered.
Is the rebate an advance on 2008 tax rates? If so does that mean that any refund next year will be reduced by the advance (rebate) this year?
Posted by: Alan | February 28, 2008 2:09 PM
I filed an injured spouse form even though I owed the IRS because I wanted my half of the rebate since my husband owed support to a past marriage. My claim was rejected so I just sent in another one. The entire 1200.00 went to the D.A.'s office. Hopefully, this will be fixed, but I am not holding my breath. Filing injured spouse means you can still get shafted!!
Posted by: Deborah Sullivan | May 28, 2008 2:02 PM
Did you file an injured spouse form when you filed your taxes and did you get a letter of rejection? If you got a rejection letter what did it say?
Posted by: Steve H | June 6, 2008 10:27 AM
(Deborah Sullivan)
Did you file an injured spouse form when you filed your taxes and did you get a letter of rejection? If you got a rejection letter what did it say?
Posted by: Steve H | June 6, 2008 10:29 AM