Your Tax Rebate: Learn How Much You'll Get and When You'll Get It

By Jake Jost WBIR-TV Knoxville

The Internal Revenue Service is preparing to deliver more than 130 million economic stimulus payments this spring and early summer.

The first round of payments is expected to be completed by early July, but there are some things you can do to ensure an earlier payment.

If you'd like to figure out the amount you are eligible to receive, click here to visit the IRS economic stimulus payment calculator.

Those who elect to receive their 2007 income tax return via direct deposit their bank accounts will find the economic stimulus payment also arrives earlier. Those payments are scheduled to begin the first week in May. You can find an estimated timeline at right.

Those who elect to receive their 2007 income tax return via a paper check will begin to receive payments in the third week of May. If you do not opt for direct deposit, a paper check will be mailed.

One thing to keep in mind is that workers, retirees, and those on disability who do not normally file a return should do so this year, if they wish to receive an economic stimulus payment. To be eligible, you must have a valid Social Security Number and have made $3,000 in income over the course of 2007. Disability and Social Security payments count toward that amount.

To ensure you receive your stimulus payment on the timeline at right, you'll want to file by the April 15 deadline. On a jointly filed return, the first Social Security Number listed will determine the mail-out time.

The IRS notes that a small percentage of tax returns are expected to need extra processing, so some payments may be made after the timeline even if the return was received by April 15.

The last possible filing date to still receive the stimulus payment is October 15.