IRS forgets children for 350,000 stimulus checks!
Filed under: Kids and Money, Tax
Many parents are going to be unhappy when they open up their stimulus check in the coming weeks and find that the IRS didn't include their children. Despite a government push for No Child Left Behind, the IRS left 350,000 or more families behind when it comes to the economic stimulus package. The good news is that the IRS has identified the problem and is taking steps to get new checks out to those affected. The glitch was caused by paper filers not marking a certain box and also by errors in two commercial tax preparation programs. These issues human and computer, led the IRS calculations to miss the children when calculating the rebate amounts. Thankfully affected families do not need to take any action to get the rest of their stimulus package, the IRS will be mailing the additional check out in July.
This is likely to be a bummer to many people and I can see why this is annoying. Unfortunately the old adage, "garbage in, garbage out," applies to rebate processing as well. If you filed on paper and didn't check the box, be happy you get a second check in July. If you used one of the affected programs, live with the wait or email the company and ask for your money back. In the end I'd just be happy the tax software didn't make a bigger error setting you up for an audit!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-17-2008 @ 6:39PM
Sarelda said...
How do you know if you were forgotten?
The way I read the first letter the IRS sent out was I would get $600 and $300 for my son. I only got $600. When I checked the IRS site it said I was only due $600.
I think I might be one of those who didn't get child credit. Do you know how I can find out if I was one of the 350,000?
Reply
5-21-2008 @ 1:29AM
Doug said...
The IRS is misleading the public. It was their error!
We were one of the families not getting the $300 for our child. It was neither a software problem, nor human error. The box was checked by the computer program and is on the hard copy I submitted.
Reply
5-24-2008 @ 10:21AM
doubting Thomas said...
So, IF we don't get the additional $ for our children. How do we complain? Is there a number to call?
5-24-2008 @ 11:40AM
Josh Smith said...
Your best bet may be to call the normal IRS phone number, I haven't heard of any number specially for this case.
Reply
7-10-2008 @ 7:19PM
Leah said...
Well surprise! I could've guessed something like this would get screwed up! What I want to know is when are they going to fix the problem. They say they are working on it and will send out the checks but WHEN???
Reply
7-10-2008 @ 7:21PM
Josh Smith said...
Sorry, I haven't heard any updated information about this.
7-22-2008 @ 10:14AM
Karen H said...
It is almost the end of July, I still have not received any checks for my 3 children... got any idea when I should be getting it?
Reply