for those waiting on the IRS check

[disneychrista]

Yes there is indeed a maximum income (as well as a minimum income). The general test to see if you will get this advance credit is if you were able to claim it on your 2002 return. If you couldn't because you earned too much or didn't make enough then you won't be getting the advance. If your income situation has changed then you will be able to get the credit but not until you file your 2003 return.

 

[madge]

If you are coming up "if you qualify" try your spouses SS# and double check your filing status and # of exemptions from your 2002 return

I did this--not only did it change that we get the $$ my SSN ends in the group that gets mailed on August 1 our trip isn't until September, but I'll be setting a little bit aside for those 7 day PHP.....yay!

 

[wahoo776]

We have been a military family for 13 years and for the first time in this time, we got a nice tax refund do to dh doing 4 months in a combat zone, so guess what? We don't qualify! 13 years of either A) paying or B) getting a refund of less than $1000 when everyone we know are like how could you only get that much back? I swear if it weren't for bad luck, I would have no luck at all! We didn't get the last one either!

For those of us who don't qualify, if you look at the bottom of where you put in your information, it tells you to keep looking back they are hoping that a new tax bill will pass to get the rest of us. (Not likely, I have heard no further word of it, since it initially came out that certain "lower income" families wouldn't qualify.)

 

[lindabacker]

wahoo776 - I hear you, we didn't get one the last time either. And like you we are a military family who never got back a refund over $1000. The only reason that we are even getting this this year, and believe me, we only made the income requirements by like 47 dollars, is that my DH worked another job last year whih gave us more taxable income. I emailed President Bush about this after it came out that a lot of lower income families would not qulaify and told him that I felt it was a shame that the families who could benefit the most from this is not able to get the benefit but has to wait until filing time when the money wold help them now. How sad is it that our miliary families are in the lower tax bracket after all the sacrafices that they make on a daily basis. Good luck and God bless to you and your family. Hopefully there will be brighter times ahead for our military.

 

[elgerber]

Mine doesn't seem to matter who's SS# I use. It still says If you Qualify, and I can't find any info on the left of the page either. Hmph. Oh well. I did claim the credit last year, and my income was under the max last year, so there shouldn't be any reason why I wouldn't get it. I do know that I am in the last group no matter which SS# I use, as both our numbers fall into the last group.

Erika

 

[LKS]

If you want to win the "biggest refund game" with your friends, you'll have to decrease your withholding exemptions on your W-4. I, personally, am not in favor of giving the IRS a tax-free loan out of my paycheck, but I know a lot of people like to do it. Anyway, it's not your refund that matters in the end, but how much you are paying. The best game is to get your withholding exactly right so that you don't give them that loan, and you aren't socked with a big bill, and perhaps a penalty, in April.

You can't do much about the taxes unless you change your income or deductions. We try to manage ours down by contributing to our 401-Ks and using flexible spending accounts. Donating to church helps too. Granted, none of these put money in my pocket today, but it makes me feel good about the tax situation. I really feel that what we pay is a bargain for what we get (national security, etc...)

If you don't get the child tax credit now (baby born this year, etc...), increase your withholding exemptions ASAP to increase your paychecks for the rest of the year. Just be careful to do your analysis so that you don't underwithhold.

 

[sweetheart2576]

On the left had side where it says date of credit is that when it is going to be issued? Mine is saying July 28,2003. It isn't even one of the mailing dates that were set.

 

[lorilori]

And also ... just reading on the IRS site that they will send out notices on July 22, 29 and August 5 to inform those getting the checks the amount to expect. So it seems first you get a 'notice' and then within a week you get the actual check.

 

[nicolep91]

Originally posted by elgerber
Mine doesn't seem to matter who's SS# I use. It still says If you Qualify, and I can't find any info on the left of the page either. Hmph. Oh well. I did claim the credit last year, and my income was under the max last year, so there shouldn't be any reason why I wouldn't get it. I do know that I am in the last group no matter which SS# I use, as both our numbers fall into the last group.

Erika

Same scenario here, Erika. I can't see why we wouldn't qualify either. The only thing I'm hoping is what someone else mentioned - that those who are in the last mailing (August 8th), which we are, don't have their info in the system yet. Is your SS# one of those in the last mailing? I'm going to check again next week and see if it says anything different.

 

[toystorymom]

I am also getting the "if you qualify" message. We would be in the last mailing, August 8. I really think that the info for that date must not be in yet. We claimed the child tax credit this year for our 3 kids and our income is within the range, I think we definitely qualify.

Anyone with an August 8 mailing date get any actual info?

 

[Lisa P.]

We're in the August 8th mailing, "if" we qualify, too. We will. Just have to wait it out.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We are in the last mailing as well and I keep getting the if you qualify statement.

DH says its probably because they haven't gotten all the info in yet and we did look at our 2002 Tax Return and we should qualify for the credit.

 

[TimeforMe]

Another August 8th "if we qualify". At least it's encouraging to know that others are getting the same message. If anyone notices a change in the message, please keep us "posted". (pun intended)

Although we leave for WDW on the 9th so it won't be here in time anyway , however, it will be nice to have some money upon our return home.

 

[pstepka]

I, too, am in the 8/8 group and am getting the 'if you qualify' message. I know we're within the income guidelines and we did claim the credit. We're leaving on the 9th so we won't get it until we get back. Although, I am going to have my mom call me and let me know when it gets there (just to be sure we're getting it!) before I spend any extra $$ at Disney!

Pam

 

[tilliet]

I also got the "if you qualify"message and the date is 8/8. I sure hope and pray that I do qualify. It sure would make for a better vacation.

 

[elgerber]

Nicole, yes I am in the group to be mailed on 8/8 "if I qualify". I'll be checking the site often to see if it changes.

Erika

 

[lovndisney]

I just checked mine. It only says that it will mail out on the 25th
if I qualify. I did receive the $600.00 on my taxes and that was
back in february.

Hopefully I will get it. I need $600.00 by September to put down
on my disney vacation and I only have $200.00 so far.

Wish me luck and I am sending my good luck out to everyone else.

Thanks for the great post topic.

~ Kim ~

 

[lovndisney]

I just tried again and changed my number of exemptions.

I originally only put in 1, thinking it meant my son. Then I
read the " what is an exemption " link and it said that if you
claimed head of household then I should enter 2. One for me
and one for my child.

The response came back with the $$ amount and the date mailed.

Mine is mailing Friday !!

I am so excited.

I have breifly heard about this but never caught it on the news
or anywhere else.

Again, just want to thank you for the terrific and helpful post.

You just made my day ... or night since it is after 11 pm.

Have a great one.

 

[pstepka]

Now I'm getting this message:


We are sorry but we are unable to give you the status of your Advance Payment check.

More Details:
Please Call us.

When I call, I get the 'if you qualify, it will be mailed on 8/8" message.

Guess I'll just have to wait and see if I get a notice mailed stating that I will be getting a refund.

Pam

 

[lindabacker]

I got my letter from the IRS today telling me I will receive my check within 2 weeks. ( We are in the first mailing). Hopefully it will get here before we leave.