If you didn’t receive a rebate check in 2008, or if you think you should have gotten a larger check than you did, you can apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2008 tax return.

The Recovery Rebate Credit is a special one-time benefit that most people received last year in the form of an Economic Stimulus Payment. But people who did not receive the maximum amount of the Economic Stimulus Payment, or whose circumstances have changed, may be eligible now.

In most cases, the IRS will calculate whether a person is eligible and how much of the credit may be due automatically. To allow the IRS to calculate this automatically, simply file your 2008 tax return and follow the “Credit Figured by the IRS” instructions. However, may choose to calculate the Recovery Rebate Credit themselves instead.

In order to calculate the Recovery Rebate Credit, you to know the amount of the Economic Stimulus Payment you received in 2008. If you’re having your tax return prepared by a tax preparer, make sure you give them this info so they can calculate your return correctly.

For more information, please visit Recovery Rebate Credit Is for Individuals Who Missed Last Year’s Economic Stimulus Payment on the IRS website.

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