Info on Stimulus Rebate

[nelsona]

For TNers (and others) who did NOT get the Stimulus payment this past summer, this has been morphed into the Recovery Rebate Credit (line 70 of the 2008 Form 1040).

Unfortunately, the same rules on requiring an SSN are still in place, so if you did not qualify because you filed jointly and your spouse did not have an SSN (had only an ITIN), then -- unless they now have one -- you are still out of luck.

You would need to decide if filing separately (MFS) would be worth the $600 for you. It is most likely-- since by and large the TN is paid a professional wage and the TD does not work -- that filing MFS would result in far more than $600 in extra tax vs filing MFJ, but it may be worthwhile trying both scenarios.

Children also still require SSNs as well to get the extra $300 per child.


And before anyone asks, since it is the SSN and not citizenship nor residence that is being used as a criteria for this Payment/credit, the tax treaty does not provide an overide of this requirement.

[projectpete]

thanks for being proactive on this issue Nelsona, I was wondering how I would get the credit now but you answered the question.

this should be a sticky

[knight03]

if you file using a 1040 NR is it possible to obtain this Recovery rebate credit?

[nelsona]

No.