June 17, 2001

Washington, D.C.- There's been some confusion among folks about the much-publicized tax rebate that was signed into law as part of President Bush's tax cut this month. A lot of people have been asking me if the checks are really going to be mailed out, or if this is some kind of gimmick. I'm happy to report that the tax rebate is no mirage, and that this summer, starting in July, 95 million checks will be mailed out, 973,000 of those to Oklahomans, to give them back the money the government overcharged them. This money can be used to help pay bills, make a mortgage payment, or use for a summer family vacation. It doesn't matter how you spend it, what's important is that you get to spend the money, not the government.

How Much Will I Get?
Since the money is going to pay back the people the government overcharged, the folks who pay taxes will be the ones getting the rebates. Single taxpayers will get up to $300, single taxpayers with a child will receive a check for up to $500, and married taxpayers will get up to $600. More than 80 percent of taxpayers will get the full rebate amount, but some will get a portion of the total amount available because they didn't pay much in taxes last year. Here's how it works:

The refund checks will be based on your federal income tax last year. To find out how much your check will be for, just take out your 1040 tax forms from 2000. Use the formulas below, depending on your filing status, for your 1040 form from last year.

Maximum Advance Payment Amounts
Single or Married filing Separately - $300
Head of Household - $500
Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow - $600

Form 1040
The amount of your check will be the lesser of: line 39 multiplied by .05, line 51, or your Maximum Advance Payment Amount.

Form 1040A
The amount of your check will be the lesser of: line 25 multiplied by .05, line 33, or your Maximum Advance Payment Amount.

Form 1040EZ
The amount of your check will be the lesser of: line 6 multiplied by .05, line 10, or your Maximum Advance Payment Amount.

If your tax situation changed this year so that you have less taxable income, don't worry, you won't have to give back any of the rebates. And if you have more taxable income this year that would result in a higher rebate, the IRS will make up the difference in your refund next year. And there's more good news, these checks will not be taxed as federal income, or as Oklahoma income.

When Will I Get It?
The IRS will mail out approximately 11 million checks a week over a 10-week period, starting in July. They will be mailed according to Social Security number. To see when you will receive your rebate, check your number against the last two digits in your Social Security number.

If the last two digits in your Then you should receive
Social Security number are: your check the week of:

00 - 09 July 23
10 - 19 July 30
20 - 29 August 6
30 - 39 August 13
40 - 49 August 20
50 - 59 August 27
60 - 69 September 3 
70 - 79 September 10
80 - 89 September 17
90 - 99 September 24

The checks will be mailed to the address on your 2000 return. If you have moved since then, make sure you've informed the U.S. Postal Service about your change of address. The IRS will update its records with the Postal Service's change of address database before mailing the checks.

You don't have to do anything to get your payment, it will be mailed to you automatically. The Treasury Department will mail you a letter in July letting you know exactly how much you will receive and when you will receive it.

If you're still unsure of when you will receive your check or how much you will receive, or if you have other questions about the rebate, please call my office in Washington, D.C. at (202)225-5565.

The bottom line is, if you paid taxes last year, you've got a check coming your way this year. The refunds are part of a much larger tax cut we've passed this year. The rebate will bring immediate tax relief to the people who I know can find a better use for the money than the government.