[Nishi621]

We are a married couple, filing jointly. We have 1 qualifying child (our other child is over the age limit to qualify) who is under 18. We owed taxes to the Federal government this year-$350.

My husband works and I do not. Our income is low,very low.

i was under the impression that we would be getting a $1500 stimulus check-$1200 for being a married couple and $300 for the qualifying child. Today in the mail i got a letter saying that we are only getting $600 plus $300 for the qualifying child, total of $900! I am ticked! It says something to the effect of :

'if your net income liability on your 2007 federal income tax return is less than $600 than the amount of your stimulus payment is $600'

I tried calling the number they have listed on the letter and they aren't taking phone calls now because they are so swamped-can anyone explain this to me???

I know people in much higher income brackets than us who got bigger stimulus checks!!!!

[BagsRmyLife]

I had the same trouble...I only got $600 when I thought I was getting $1200 and we filed as a married couple. I need to call my accountant who did my taxes...I've been to lazy though.

[socalgem]

If you are low income, how did you owe taxes?

[ChenChen]

For the economic stimulus rebates, each eligible individual will receive UP to $600 (plus $300 for each qualifying child). Rebates for each eligible individual actually goes from $300 to $600, and the rebates get phased out with higher income levels.

I don't know what your exact situation is, but I'm guessing that because you say you're low income, you and your husband together probably qualified for $600, plus $300 for your child, for a total of $900.

You can also input your info into the IRS calculator in this link to figure out what amount you should have received.

[UK2ME]

I believe that here in Maine, they are garnishing the stimulus cheques if you owe state taxes. I don't know if that's across the board, but could that be the problem?

[courtneyh]

the same thing happened to my friend... her accountant said since she didnt work they only got 600

[socalgem]

I know someone that the DH worked, the mom didn't work and they had 2 kids..they got 1800$. And they are middle class.

[cristalena56]

Originally Posted by socalgem

If you are low income, how did you owe taxes?

i was wondering the same?? :

[socalgem]

Glad I am not the only one. I owe taxes, but I know why because of our income.

Originally Posted by cristalena56

i was wondering the same?? :

[cristalena56]

if i hadnt made any money we would have gotten 800 dollars back but since i did we owed 220 dollars?

[jessie_mags]

Go to http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/

It will tell you how much you are getting (should have gotten) back. You need your 2007 tax forms.

you can also try...

http://www.consumerismcommentary.com...te-calculator/

or

http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/rebate/ (what I used)

[Nishi621]

Originally Posted by socalgem

Glad I am not the only one. I owe taxes, but I know why because of our income.

the question marks make me feel like I am lieing! LOL

Actually, the money we paid in was for SS-my husband is an independent contractor and we had to pay $350 to the Federal government when we filed our taxes towards his SS payments (he pays his own taxes and his own SS). As for someone saying maybe we owed State taxes and they are keeping part of our stimulus check-no, that is not the case either, we received a refund from the State.

I did the calculations and it is coming up with the fact that we should get $900 back-I still don't understand because they kept saying that married couples would $1200 plus $300 per child-maybe it's because I have no income?

I don't know, it just doesn't seem fair to me that people with higher incomes than us, who received tax refunds are getting more money from the stimulus check than we are.

[ami kio]

Originally Posted by Nishi621

I did the calculations and it is coming up with the fact that we should get $900 back-I still don't understand because they kept saying that married couples would $1200 plus $300 per child-maybe it's because I have no income?

It's like a sale: the ads (e.g. "up to 75% off!"; "up to $1200 per married couple") make it sound more attractive than it actually is for most people.

[twiggers]

Originally Posted by Nishi621

the question marks make me feel like I am lieing! LOL

Actually, the money we paid in was for SS-my husband is an independent contractor and we had to pay $350 to the Federal government when we filed our taxes towards his SS payments (he pays his own taxes and his own SS). As for someone saying maybe we owed State taxes and they are keeping part of our stimulus check-no, that is not the case either, we received a refund from the State.

I did the calculations and it is coming up with the fact that we should get $900 back-I still don't understand because they kept saying that married couples would $1200 plus $300 per child-maybe it's because I have no income?

I don't know, it just doesn't seem fair to me that people with higher incomes than us, who received tax refunds are getting more money from the stimulus check than we are.

Maybe it's because you didn't pay enough in? IDK, I'm sorry though Nishi...that really sucks when you're counting on the money!

[cascratchfever]

You said you don't work, did you work in 2007? You had to have earned $3000 in 2007 to qualify for the $600 for yourself. It seems like you just got the $600 for DH"s qualifying income and then the $300 for your child.