My name is Jenn, and I'm a 27 year old married and babied chick. In addition to a husband, a seven year old daughter, and a five year old autistic son, I also have four cats, three hermit crabs, two frogs, a few fish, and one snorty little Pug. I work from home doing a variety of writing and even some web design. I love blogging, digital photography and web design.
Today the hubby and I received a notice from the IRS. It was deceiving, because it came in an envelope that had the following on the back:
Needless to say, it was not the payment itself. Rather, it was a notice informing us of the exact amount of our payment ($xxxx.xx), and the date we can expect it by (5/16/08).
So we’re bummed about not having the actual check in hand, but happy to know that the guessing game is up.
Then, I flip over the paper to see what’s on the back. Beneath a table that breaks down the amounts we qualify for based on our filing status and children, as well as two paragraphs that blather on about the stimulus payment not being taxable, qualifying children, yadda yadda yadda, I come to the following:
Under Review
Your stimulus payment has been delayed for review. If you do not receive your stimulus payment or a notice explaining the delay within 60 days, call us at 1-866-234-2942.
So now we’re confused. And very, very anxious. Which is it? Are we getting our check on the 16th (this Friday!), or could we be forced to wait up to 60 days? Hubby is guessing that maybe the stimulus check was delayed for review last week, when they first started going out, and we will get it on the 16th. Me? I don’t know what to think!
Has anyone else received this letter? Better yet, has anyone else received this letter AND gotten their payment (via direct deposit or check)?
Help a nervewracked girl out!
My mother had a client get one of those and she called the local IRS office for clarification and an agent told her that it’s kind of there as a catch-all-if thing. By which I mean, if you do not receive your payment on time then it is being held for review. If you get it on time, no worries. If that occurs however it could be because you had a problem with your return and it is going to be rejected or you have a federal debt. In which case your stimulus may be picked up.
The thing we received in the mail here had basically the same things on it, except the Under Review part. Ours did say that if the check wasn’t received within 6 weeks to contact the number. But the Under Review part isn’t on ours. Hopefully you don’t have to wait too long for it.
Ok here is what I can tell you. The letters are supposed to be 2 weeks or more behind your payment anyway so factor that in. They said that the date the letters went out did not move up, yet the date the payments started to go out did.
They originally said mine would be in May9th. Then moved it up to May1 or 2. Except, I owed a student loan and the payment was going to be applied to that. We got the letter we knew we’d get telling us that the stimulus payment was going to pay my student loan,etc.
Then, on Friday May 9th, the original date they direct deposited the leftover amount after my student loan was paid off. I was so confused. I thought I was getting it all on one date, then a different date, then I thought I was getting nothing, then I got like $400 on the original payment date.
Conclusion…they have no freaking idea what they are doing.
Chris received the letter after getting his direct deposit (about a week later). No ‘under review’ section.
I am getting anxious now! Everywhere I go there are people buzzing about how much they got, excitedly talking about what they are going to spend it on, etc! And, then there are the other who look like they lost their best friend, mopping around complaining about how little they received. I have yet to receive such an envelope. I’m a little scared now, to open it, if and when I get one! It’s like getting a bad test result or something! WTF! Who the hell is writing these checks anyway? A drunk? LOL
The hubby and I have received neither the letter or payment, but am very interested in it. I am just wondering if they are going to take money from our check and apply it to my student loans, which are deferred while I’m still in school. Keep us informed and I will do the same if I find anything out! =)
I got the letter yesterday (3 days AFTER my payment arrived in my bank account) but it didn’t say anything about being under review as far as I know. But then again, I didn’t look at the back because I already had my payment.
I just read an article how people aren’t receiving their stimulus payments if they’re married to somebody foreign and they don’t have the exact proper documentation. For whatever reason, this has made me so nervous because I haven’t changed my SS# to reflect my married name (which I’ve filed taxes under twice so far) and I wonder if that’s going to keep me and my husband from getting it. I haven’t received any letter about a review so I’m nervous. :\
We have the Under Review section, presumably because I (for the first time ever) had to file a 1040X to account for some income I’d missed on our original return. Since we ended up paying more taxes than on the original return you’d think it wouldn’t affect our stimulus payment negatively, but obviously it’s delayed it. The IRS must be going mad having this thrown in their lap and told to hurry it all up. It’s not like they don’t have enough to do during the regular tax season.
I got the same letter, it didn’t have the under review section on it, but it did say that we should recieve our check by 5/16/08. I went to the mail box today and nothing. I a curious to know why it did say by. Has this happened to anyone else?
We recieved the letter referred to above with the Under Review section and all. We recieved it about 5 days AFTER we were supposed (according to the letter) get our return direct deposited into our account – it should have gone in May 9th – still nothing. We’re waiting and waiting. Not at all stimulated by this rebate! We too had to file a 1040X, so who knows what that has done to everything!
We filed a 1040x and got the same “Under Review” notice. Hopefully it will be coming soon, it must have something to do with amended returns.
I too got the “under review” letter stating that it could take up to 60 days. I also had to file a 1040x. Mine was filed in Feb. so I would’ve thought there wouldn’t be a problem. So it looks like this is a common theme and for those of us that did an amended return, we’re going to be waiting a while. Bad thing is, that is check was supposed to pay for our family trip to Disneyland and it looks like that may not happen now. I’d like the IRS to explain that to my kids.
My wife and I received the same letter stating our stimulus payment was under review. However, we did NOT file an amended return this year; we filed a regular run of the mill 1040. Our tax return was processed in March and it went fine. we received our refund via direct deposit in about 2 weeks. I wish they would tell us something more specific. I understand that they are busy, but if we were (as the rest of the people here) were targeted for a review, let us know what triggered the review. Some stimulus package! How can we do are part in stimulating the economy if the IRS keeps the money?
And here I thought I was the only one under review !! I filed my return in February but then found a mistake – I initially received a refund but my mistake meant I got $150 too much – which I sent back to the IRS – got an ‘under review’ on my letter too – received on May 8th – still no stimulus. I don’t owe any back taxes or student loans.
My wife and i recieved our letter Dated May 12 2008 which stated stimulus amount due, and can expect the payment 5/9/08. What?By all accounts-we should have gotten it Before the letter arrived!Then on the back was the catch all-”your stimulus payment has been delayed for review”. I have their the # they said to call but to no avail. It is now May 29, and we are not counting on it to come in Ever, that way when/if it ever shows up it will be sort of a surprise. We are not counting on it for anything though. Good luck everybody!
We didn’t receive our stimilus on may 9 when scheduled the the folowing monday a letter sent saying we would get 1500 on may 9. Its so messed up.It’s now june 7 nothigh no letter nada we got what the cat drug in s..t.
I go t the same letter today and was nervous wretch”, I drove to the IRS office to ask them, what did delay aand “under review mean” ; The representative that I sppoke to said, he didn’t know and repeated to me the same thing that was on the back of the letter..
“Befuddled”????
Hurry up and wait , is what it is,
thanks sfor this blog as I was able to vent and feel better that it wasn’t
only me targeted. still as of today “no cheque”
My husband and I received the letter stating that we were going to get our 2100 on May2nd, but the date the got that letter was 1 week later. We waited and waited and then I checked online, http://www.irs.gov, and checked the “Wheres my Stimulus Payment” section. That’s where I found out ours was under “review” and was “delayed”. I called the IRS and the rep said to call back in a few weeks if I still hadn’t heard anything. I actually called back about 1 week later and that rep told me that it was like an audit and to call them back in about 6 weeks if we still didn’t hear anything. He said we would get an official letter from the IRS and that would tell us exactly what he just told us. Well, we were supposed to get the Stimulus on May2nd, got the letter that it was delayed and reviewed on June 9th, and are still waiting. I don’t know how long it will take to get cleared up. We’ve already missed 2 planned vacations where we were going to spend our money, but now it’s a bust. I wonder how many other families with kids have had this happen to them…..
my wife and i got the same letter.we were supposed to receive 1200.00.did anyone fill out the 1040 form that the irs sent you?that’s the kicker .we all filled it out as asked by the irs and thats whay screwed it up.we sent it back it was nasking how much money i receive for my children because i’m on soc disability but my wife works.it was for my child dependent benrfits i recieve because i’m the payee.
i called irs and finally i got a halfway decent answer from a guy saying when you fill that out and send it back its listed as a duplicate or amended return and getys sent back to the end of the pile so to speak.
look for refrence no 1647 on under review letter-first thing they said when i mentioned that number.
oh by the way there saying that thbe avg wait time is 13 mins to speak to someone try agan irs, the 2x i called i had to wait at least 45 to 50 mins to speak to someone.
I’m glad i’m not alone on this one. Mine too is delayed and “under review”. My SS# fell under the 6/20 category. I received my letter in the mail on 6/16, last Monday, saying that I would be get it by 6/20. Of course, turned the letter over and found the “under review” dealie. I called the customer service # and the lady was of no help. I figured that it was because I filed a 1040X, which it was, but I wanted to know what it was they just HAD to review. I filed my amended return on time. I ended up owing, so I sent my check right along. She said at first, that my account had been open and under review since June 13 and then changed her story and said it had been under review since May. (b.s. covering irs butt, methinks) She said give it another TWO weeks. Ugh. Anyway… i’m just taking some comfort in knowing that their are others out there in the same sitch.
Kumbaya, my fellow delayees.
I too have received the same letter I got excited that my payment was coming soon until I read the back and it said it was delayed for review.
Has anyone received there payment yet that has been delayed???
we got our letter 2 days ago and after the disappointment from the check not being in the envelope, we saw the “under review” section and I about hyperventilated. IRS folks better know that folks like me have spent that money upfront in anticipation so they may cause more harm than good by not stimulating everyone as promised!
Anyways, misery likes company, so i can’t lie that i’m unhappy we are not alone in this!
Please lets keep the postings going. I’ll definitely like to know if/when you get your checks. Mine was originally scheduled to come in on June 27.
thanks
I don’t work, and my child’s father only worked for three months last year, just bringing him to the eligible amount of $3,000 taxable income. We received the “Under Review” letter as well, and at first I thought it was because he filed one W-2 one day, forgetting completely about another he got the very next day. The IRS hadn’t even reviewed his first W-2, so our family tax preparer just added the new amount onto the first W-2. I thought the delay came from them possibly looking at the two submitted W-2′s as an amended return, but then I got to thinking, and the second W-2 is what brought the taxable income to over $3,000 in the first place, so both returns HAD to have been already processed in order for us to receive the letter of acceptance for the “Stimulus” check in the first place! I think the letters are just a way for the IRS to buy themselves some time, because we all should know that they really do not like giving money away (or should I say back). I am already getting crapped on by the government by having to wait over two years for SSI that I should have been receiving since birth, and my boyfriend works for minimum wage, so our rent was riding on that check, and now we have to sit on our thumbs until it comes (if it does). We greatly appreciate the effort the IRS has made to TRY to “Stimulate” the economy, but I think they really need to get it together! If it’s any consolation, my crack smoking neighbors downstairs got their check on the EXACT day they were supposed to, so my question is, what are they really trying to stimulate? Whoo Hoo, thanks for allowing me to vent on your page. :-) Good luck everyone!
I too received the dreaded “Under Review” letter instead of my check. I am curious as to whether someone has actually gotten their money after getting one of these letters. This is not the first time something like this has happened with the IRS. It took over 6 months to get my 2006 return. Hopefully this time it does not take that long.
My wife and I were totaly confussed from the start, we filed with H&R Block heads. Well we have waited and waited for some word on if we were going to get a stimulus, that was finally answered and yes we would. Then this letter came to fill out and return to the IRS they said they needed it returned. I am assuming that it was the 1040x that has been discussed. Last week a letter came giving the amount and date– july 5th. I waited and cussed the mail man for slacking today, when he dropped the mail off there was only a bill, no payment of any type.
My wife and I are depending on that money to eat and pay off bills. As the majority of us all are doing. What a wonderful perdictiment.
Can we the people sue this Tyrant of a Goveroment? Truly we can all seek a legal remedy for the entire country,”We the People vs United States
May we all one day take back our country from these TYRANTS!!!
My check was scheduled to come on June 27th. I did not get a check jut a letter saying “Under Review” and that I would receive explanation in 60 days. I can relate to Chuks as I was looking forwards to having the Money Now. I did file a bankruptcy but I do not owe the IRS. Does anyone know if the stimulus check will be sent to the Trustee?
I can’t believe that they are holding so many of the stimulus checks for review. My husband and I have 7 sons and tons of bills to pay. We have been waiting for this check to get caught up but of course our payment is under review. It’s just like they say….. The richer get richer and the poorer get poorer. The government is suppose to protect the people not put them all in the poor house while they all live in luxury. How will we all survive this cruel world. I hope that we don’t have to wait forever for the check that was suppose to be here on 6/27, I can tell you the waiting game SUCKS!!!! Has anyone got the check after being delayed for review??????? Please let us know. Thanks for the chance to vent.
I received the same letter and they won’t tell me anything. I haven’t had to pay taxes for around 25 years because I am on disability. I just soon they keep the money. The best stimulus to me would be watching the moving van leave the white house and go to Texas.
Well, is July 10 and I guess non of us who filed a 1040x has received any checks. Just more waiting.
Hello ! I to recieved a letter saying my husband and I would receive a check on or no later than Jun27th. UMMM July 14th now and still havent received one! After calling around and waiting 2 hours on the phone i was told since we filed bankruptcy in march ours was frozen! But guess what our letter we got didnt say anything about ours being in review or delayed it said we would get 1800dollars by 27th of july! Ok all this long hours of getting furious and waiting on phone for 2 hours I was told to call another number that deals with people in bankruptcy. So called them guess what another hour on the phone to tell me oh yeah yours was frozen so i will manually unfreeze it but yours is going to your trustee. (in our bankruptcy agreement they can take anything over 1500 so assuming we will get refunded 1500 of it. (i hope)) So getting to the point if your in bankruptcy good luck this has been a nightmare!.. We were gonna use this money to go to the beach with my mom in law ( who has been going thorugh Kemo for breast cancer and wants to get away now that it is sucessfully over! and father n law. So who knows if we can go our vac was set for 26th of july who would have thought it would take a month to find out what the he** is going on with our check! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
My letter showed payment of $1200 due by 5/30/08. It is 7/15 today and nothing. Also I haven’t even been able to talk to anyone at the IRS. The voicemail message claims they are too busy dealing with Stimulus Payment issues. It seems to me that the IRS is not equiped to deal with this type of tax relief. It just makes me furious at this buy off attempt by Pres. Bush. It is the most ass backwards way of putting money into the pockets of our citizens. So much easier to change the rates or eliminate exemptions but that wouldn’t ease Bush’s bad conscience by buying off the American Public. McCain has the same bent. I hope Obama is more honest. He seems to be. ..
Oh, oh yes. Same thing here. Of course, I have a student loan in default. Mind you, we waited the FULL 12 WEEKS just to receive the refund. Since receiving our refund, it has now been 8 weeks and we’ve called every week to the IRS asking where our money is. We’ve been told the following:
It’s under review, call again in a week.
“It’s under review, call again in two weeks.”
“It’s pending adjustment, call again in a week.”
“Hmmmm. I don’t understand what is going on here. Let me transfer you to blah blah blah.
Blah blah tells us the same thing: Hmmmmmmm. I have no idea what is going on here. There is a hold on your stimulus payment. Looks like you owed back taxes on such and such year (yes, we did, but they took that out of the REFUND). Did you file ANOTHER injured spouse claim for this? (no, you freaks told us it only takes one…), oh yes, that is right, you only need to file one. Hmmm. There’s money sitting in this account, I just don’t understand what is going on here. Now, I am going to send to the people who deal with this a document requesting release of this account. The turn around on that will be ANOTHER 30 DAYS.”
Called again the next week anyway: “You’ve called us several times (why yes I have, and wouldn’t you? I have bills to pay and you are holding my money for NO reason and you have NO idea why!). The last person you spoke with sent a request to release the funds and that will take 2-4 weeks.”
Seriously folks, they have no idea what the hell they are doing. They know nothing. I will be SHCOKED to see this money by the end of August.
We also received the “under review” notice. We haven’t received our stimulus payment yet, but there is hope…My husband’s co-worker just received his payment last week and he had also received the under review notice (he had also filed a 1040x). I guess we just need to be extra patient!:)
We received the same “under review” letter. I have tried to contact the IRS twice with no luck. We were suppose to receive ours on June 27th and it has yet to appear. It is comforting to know others are in the same boat. What is sad it is us honest folks who filed a 1040X to ammend a mistake and pay our taxes that end up not getting our payment on time!
YEAHH! I got my rebate check today (July 22) I filed a 1040X amend on April 13th, I received the Stimulus Payment letter with the “under review” on May 9th.
Still waiting on ours! Ours said we should receive by the 27th of july!!!!!!!ummm still no luck i have called and called and they say it was froze they will release it. Now saying it’ll be another 30 days. They have no clue what there doing …..owelll still furiously waiting….so much for our beach vacation on friday and my baby girls 4th b-day party on sat. ;(
Oh sorry 27th of june!! It is now 23rd of july!
I was told by someone at the IRS that they were truly sorry that they “overlooked” the fact that I filed an injured spouse form when I filed my taxes. They took my portion of the stimulus payment and applied it to someone else’s debt. I was told that I was due a
payment, and that I would get my portion of my Econmic Stimulus Payment within a couple of weeks.
Its been a month. I still have not received it.
I did however receive a summary showing that the IRS took it back from the person’s debt that they originally applied it to.
STILL waiting for mine…
Got ours today!! YAY!!
haven’t received mine…got the note saying it was “delayed” around June 20th.
SO FRUSTRATING