USA Rebate Check

[Markus]

I'm thankful that the folks in the U.S. are not taxed so much and then the
proceeds are equally spread out between the people. But, is it appropriate
that when an equal distribution is paid out among the taxpayers that some
taxpayers are left out?

I think that it is appropriate.  Let me explain. Do you know about the $1200
tax rebate for married couples and the additional (I think) $300 for children?
Some folks have already received their money and some will receive theirs
soon.

Now, for me and my wife, we will receive nothing. Why? It's because we
complied with the immigration laws. We went through the lengthy process,
incurred attorney costs, waited patiently, and we are still waiting, but
although we compiled with the laws, we are equated to illegal immigrants.
The kicker is that if you did pay taxes, such as me and my wife,
and one of the spouses does not have a SSN, and you both filed a joint
tax return, then the rebate checks do not apply. Even though the U.S. laws
were complied with, no rebate check will be sent. Now, this all may sound
like complaining, but it's not.

If my wife and I have to depend on the government for income, then we have
made a mistake. I relish the opportunity to show how a Republican feels
about complying with the law and being grouped into an illegal category.
We are not government dependent for our income.

Mark

[thompsongunner06]

We only got 300 each.  We are not in the high tax bracket too.  Everyone I have asked that has got a check has received 300,,,,,so much for 600 each,1200 for married couple. 300 bucks only will give me 3-4 fill ups in my car. Thanks for nothing!

[beachcomber556]

Well, what can I tell you except that we were among the lucky ones then.  Vika and our son applied for their SSAN accounts shortly after our arrival in the US last year.  The CR-1 got them their Green Cards in about 4 weeks after we arrived so we saw need to wait.  Registering for school without a SSAN is a royal pain.  I prepared our 2007 return like always, using TurboTax, and the IRS had no issues with anything.  The rebate thing was completely automatic -- $1500 as advertised.   

[ScottinCrimea]

This whole tax rebate thing is hilarious.  The government borrows the money from China and gives it to us so we can go out and purchase products made in China.  Just whose economy is this supposed to stimulate?   

[Ronnie]

Scott, It's an election year.  Kruschev said, "politicians are the same everywhere..they promise to build a bridge but there is no river,"

Mark,
Something isn't registering with me.  If your wife doesn't have a SSAN how did you file a joint return?  And, why haven't you gotten one, she could have had one the first two weeks she was in the country...even before marriage if you did a K-1.

My first K-1 and her two K-2 daughters are back in Ukraine carrying Social Security cards we got for them during the first two weeks.  (I decided to abort the to marriage before it happened).

[Ronnie]

We only got 300 each.  We are not in the high tax bracket too.  Everyone I have asked that has got a check has received 300,,,,,so much for 600 each,1200 for married couple. 300 bucks only will give me 3-4 fill ups in my car. Thanks for nothing!

Tommy,
It makes no sense, because it was billed as a stimulus payment...note a rebate.  You had to pay at least $600 in taxes (other than FICA) in order to receive the full amount.  If you made too much, you got nothing.  If you made very little or paid under $300 in tax you got the $300 at least.  Illegal aliens, who are working without authorization were excluded.

[Jet]

Mark,
Something isn't registering with me.  If your wife doesn't have a SSAN how did you file a joint return?  And, why haven't you gotten one, she could have had one the first two weeks she was in the country...even before marriage if you did a K-1.

I was thinking the same, plus the fact that the term Legal Permanent Resident, has a different meaning in Tax law than in Immigration law - If she was in the US for 181 days or more last year, the IRS considers her a LPR and if she tries to say she is not, they will inform USCIS she has abandoned any pending petition for adjustment of status