Q. I received my stimulus payment and it didn’t include money for my kids. Does the IRS plan to send me an additional check?

A: Yes. The Internal Revenue Service will mail out approximately 350,000 additional economic stimulus payments starting in early July after discovering that some tax returns were improperly filed and did not capture the information needed to generate the $300 in qualifying child payments.

In some instances, taxpayers did not check the proper box to trigger the $300 child payment. In other instances, a few tax software products primarily used by tax professionals did not capture the proper information needed for issuing the child stimulus payment.

To fix the problem, the IRS is taking extra steps to identify the affected taxpayers and send them separate checks to cover their qualifying children. The IRS emphasized that the corrected checks will be mailed automatically, and taxpayers don’t need to call or take any additional steps.

The vast majority of tax returns with child payments were completed accurately by taxpayers, tax professionals and software providers. The IRS estimates that more than 99 percent of nearly 36 million returns eligible for child stimulus payments were filled out accurately by taxpayers, meaning that less than 1 percent will need the additional check mail-outs.

The additional payments involving qualifying children will be made starting in early July. These payments will be made by paper check, even if people received their regular tax refund or initial stimulus payment by direct deposit.

Taxpayers in this situation received — or will receive in the next few weeks — stimulus payments falling $300 short per eligible child.

The additional checks will be mailed as the regular weekly round of stimulus payments wrap up in early July. The regular stimulus payment timetable will not be affected by these additional checks.

The issue with the child payments involves the Child Tax Credit checkbox on line 6c, column (4) on Form 1040 and Form 1040A.

For the stimulus payments, IRS systems look for information in the checkbox area to generate the $300 qualifying child stimulus payment. In instances involving paper returns, taxpayers did not check this box when completing their return. In some instances, tax software may not have checked this box, meaning the $300 payment was not triggered.

The IRS has worked closely with the two affected software vendors on this. The IRS appreciates the willingness of these firms to help identify the problem. They have reported to the IRS that their software has been corrected.

The majority of the tax software issues involve commercial versions used by tax professionals and tax preparers. Included are Petz Enterprises’ professional and on-line software as well as ProSystems fx Tax software and on-line CompleteTax software from CCH.

Taxpayers with questions about whether they are affected can contact their tax preparer or software provider.

For taxpayers who haven’t filed a tax return yet, the IRS urges them to update their tax software before filing to ensure proper handling of their economic stimulus payment. Paper filers should make sure to review the eligibility requirements for qualifying children and check the box on line 6c, column (4) if appropriate.

I understand that kinks have to be worked out, and mistakes happen.  But mistakes cost money, both to the government (and, ultimately, you and me) as they correct them, and to the taxpayers who took the word of their government and counted on the money being there when their government said they would.

This is why I don't count my chickens before they're hatched.

George Bush, who holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School, and his coterie of well educated economic advisers apparently think that if you give people money that they didn't have yesterday, they will spend it, and that will stimulate the sagging economy. This was the idea behind his asinine "economic stimulus package," the ingenious notion that giving taxpayers $600 of borrowed money will somehow cure the nation's financial ills. The problem with Harvard Business School is that you have to be rich to go there in the first place, so the curriculum is designed to ensure the status quo, operating from the perspective of the future CEO. This perspective has led us to the brink of economic collapse. When you consider the ailing economy, don't blame the working person. All blame falls at the feet of the economists. So here we sit, entrusting those who have broken the system to fix it.

It does make sense that if people had more money, they would spend more, and indeed, that would stimulate the economy over the long haul. This can be accomplished by corporations being required to pay their employees higher wages. Of course, the whole raison d'etre of the union-busting Republican Party is to prevent the working person from receiving a fair wage so that corporations can reap maximum profits. This may seem good for those heavily invested in stock and for CEOs, but the system itself and the greed that it inspires is sinking America. It is top heavy and it can't function anymore. The masses, as it were, have no money to spend because they aren't paid enough. It is another one of those simple facts that gets complicated by the economists in Washington so that it seems as though it can't be understood by everyman and woman.

The negative impact of illegal immigration, Walmart and other mega-retailers on wages in this country is well documented, and these blood sucking forces pose significant problems that need to be addressed. But in a way, they are just natural manifestations of the system of unrestrained corporate capitalism that we die to defend overseas as we try to export it wherever we can. The corporations collude to fix prices as we all all know, but they also collude to fix wages, and this is creating a slave state here in America.

Here is a simplicity to consider. Gas prices have reached four bucks a gallon, and oil companies are reaping record profits every quarter. How much money do the people who work in those convenience stores where they sell the gas make? Perhaps $8 an hour? Are they given huge raises as the product that they sell generates massive profits? So when you look at that picture you see how the economic system does not work. Even thriving profit centers provide no relief to the economy. They take the profit and the working person never sees any of it. In fact, big oil's profits are damaging our economy in myriad ways. But when you read the complicated statistics that we common folk are too dumb to understand, oil profits will be figured in on the positive side of the ledger, though they have net negative impact on the overall economy. I think that is one of the first things you learn at Harvard Business School, in fact.

The reality is that the economic system needs to change. Our country needs to ensure a job for every citizen that provides health care, educational benefits, and a truly living wage. If we are not guaranteed these three things, what do we have to be proud of? What would it be that we would be defending in wars abroad? Our right to poverty while multi-national corporations reap huge profits through our hard work, profits that are shared by a tiny percentage of the populace?

There are ways of going about this without causing inflation, and a standard behind our currency is one of them. Voluntary divestiture by the very wealthy is another. A salary cap for top tier executives with the savings passed on to the rank and file is another. Perhaps there should be a limit on personal wealth, say $10 million? There are ways to stimulate the economy, but the powers that be, most of whom are not American or loyal to America and its citizenry, really don't care about you, me, or the United States economy. But we are getting wiser every day, and a new paradigm looms just over the horizon.

Fear not, however: I vow not to let this newfound wealth get to my head. I believe in the old cliché: Be nice to the people you meet on the way up, because they’re going to be the same people you meet on the way down.

It’s tough to keep a level head, though. My brain is aflutter with the possibilities. Having this extra cash on hand just opens up a world of avenues.

Do I invest it? Do I put it in my savings account for safe-keeping? Do I treat myself to something nice? Or perhaps pick up something shiny and glittering for my girlfriend? Do I buck conventional wisdom and bet it on a Belmont Stakes exacta that doesn’t include Big Brown? Or let it ride on No. 22 on a roulette table in Atlantic City?

Chill: There’s no need to make a hasty decision. I’ll consult with relatives, friends and advisors and determine the best use for this sudden embarrassment of riches. And until then, I’ll just stare at the beautiful check and those wonderful digits that appear on it: $8.05.

I really hope I don’t spend it all in one place.

Andrew Chinnici pledged to use his economic stimulus package to support local businesses and keep the money in the homeland. After some consideration, he bought $600 worth of whiskey. Pictures of the effort here.  Andrew and I drank a fraction of that amount of various Thai liquors and beers one night in Bangkok, many moons ago. 

The Dude was based on a real guy. I'm into the whole brevity thing, so I'll leave it at that. [via]

Tevan has some notes on Textgasm and putting it together. Pretty good for a first project, if you ask me; makes me want to learn some coding.  

Photographs of bankrupt offices: everything was beautiful and nothing hurt. [via]

Apparently, random companies can add charges to your phone bill, a process known as cramming, and AT&T (and one would presume, other vendors) won't do anything about it. 

Largeheartedboy shares some music links and free downloads. When I get an intern following music I like will be part of his job description, as I don't have time for it. I suddenly feel like I think my brother felt when he was my age. 

Jumpcut: "Here’s a handy little app to install and then forgot about ’til the day comes when you’ve somehow overwritten your clipboard or possibly lost some work." [via]

Wired's founding editor reflects on the last fifteen years since the magazine started. 

Interesting street art on Jesus Chris.

"The same people who use phrases like 'Think outside the box' are the ones ordering all these cubicles."

Yesterday was Manhattanhenge. 

And finally, via Bill Bradbury, the video of the day: Charles Barkley getting Burgundy'd. 

The economic stimulus checks that arrived in American mailboxes in recent weeks were apparently even more stimulating than the government intended. According to the people who get paid to monitor such things, porn Web sites experienced an upswing in sales in the weeks after people received their economic stimulus checks.

"Many of the sites we surveyed have reported 20-30% growth in membership rates since mid-May when the checks were first sent out, and typically the summer is a slow period for this market," Kirk Mishkin, Head Research Consultant for the Adult Internet Research Marketing Company, said.

The checks, in amounts of up to $600 for individuals and 1,200 for (apparently pretty kinky) couples, were intended to help strengthen the flagging economy; aiding flagging libidos is just a sexy bonus.

Jillian Fox, spokeswoman for LSG Models, says, "Getting more people to buy porn was probably the last thing Bush had on his mind when he came up with his stimulus package, but we'll take it."

I disagree with Jillian Fox, this is exactly the sort of economic "stimulation" that the Federal government was hoping for when they pushed this legislation.  To put it more politically correct; maybe they were not hoping that some would pay for pornography, but they were hoping those that pushed the economic stimulus legislation were hoping that American's would spend their checks in a way that kept the money within the United States.

An economic stimulus package is no good if you get a check from the government (this was really loaned to you, oh by the way, paid for by China and a weaker dollar), and spend it on a product made in a foreign country.  Money spent within an economy, will be spent again within the economy (minus some leakages like taxes).  Money spent within the porn industry (provided its American), will go towards paying wages for those who provide its "services."  That money then will be spent buying food, clothing, etc.  In short, stimulating the economy.  Where as the middle-income who takes their economic stimulus check and buys a TV from Best Buy.  Best Buy takes that money and pays off their employees (money spent within the economy) and suppliers (their largest costs are incurred here, and many of these suppliers base their operations in foreign countries), much of which represents a leakage outside of the economy.

When the economic stimulus legislation passed, its proponents estimated that there would be a 500 percent benefit to the American economy (IE, $100 million in stimulus checks would lead to $500 million in benefits to the American economy).  Yet with leakages persistent, more realistic estimates argued that the actual economic stimulus would be much smaller.

An unforeseen and surprising beneficiary of the Economic Stimulus Plan, a plan that George Bush contends will "boost our economy and encourage job creation," has surfaced this week. An independent market-research firm, AIMRCo (Adult Internet Market Research Company), has discovered that many websites focused on adult or erotic material have experienced an upswing in sales in the recent weeks since checks have appeared in millions of Americans' mailboxes across the country.

According to Kirk Mishkin, Head Research Consultant for AIMRCo, "Many of the sites we surveyed have reported 20-30% growth in membership rates since mid-May when the checks were first sent out, and typically the summer is a slow period for this market."

And it apparently is no coincidence:

Jillian Fox, spokeswoman for LSGmodels.com, one of the sites reporting figures to AIMRCo, added, "In a June 15, 2008 survey to our members, thirty two percent of respondents referenced the recent stimulus package as part of their decision to either become a new member, or renew an existing membership."

I wonder how Dubya and his religious-right supporters feel about this interesting development.  It does bring a new level of hilarity to the term economic "stimulus". (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

The IRS is launching a new summer campaign to reach all retirees and disabled veterans who qualify for the Economic Stimulus Payment but have not filed a return to claim it.  This special stimulus category includes recipients of certain benefits from Social Security and Veterans Affairs who do not normally have a requirement to file a tax return.  However, these individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payments. The IRS has accounted for 74 percent of Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries out of about 20 million initially identified as being potential stimulus recipients. All but 5.2 million of those have been accounted for as either having filed a return, having filed a joint return, or as not being eligible for a stimulus payment (for example, they were claimed as a dependent on another's return).  In Wisconsin, about 76 percent of people in this group are accounted for, leaving more than 77,000 potential recipients remaining who could be eligible to receive the Economic Stimulus Payment.

Retirees should be aware that receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received. The stimulus payment is not taxable. Absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again.

The IRS has 7 local Taxpayer Assistance Centers across Wisconsin.  These centers can provide assistance to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments. A list of addresses and office hours are listed below or can be found at "Contact My Local Office" at www.irs.gov.

* Note:  The phone numbers in the chart above are not toll-free for all locations.  When you call, you will reach a recorded business message with information about office hours, locations and services provided in that office.  You may leave a message to request an appointment for help resolving a tax issue or to reschedule an existing appointment.  You will receive a return call within two business days.  If face-to-face assistance is not a priority for you, you may also get help with IRS letters or resolve tax account issues by phone, toll free at 1-800-829-1040 (individuals) or 1-800-829-4933 (businesses).

1) to help fill my gas tank;

2) as venture capital in order to win McCain’s $300 million battery invention prize (perhaps the extent of his energy policy);

3) as a contribution to Ralph Nader’s program to send Obama to ebonics classes;

4) to secure the services of Bush’s Philippine American cooks at the White House [Tuesday's (06/24) W's inane remarks to the press: “I reminded the President [Filipino President Arroyo] that I am reminded of the great talent of the – of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House”.

Imagine the "economic stimulus package" GM, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac are about to get!

Ready for your economic stimulus check?  Who isn't!!!  Here you go!!!

PSYCH!!!!  No check for you!  What do you think this is a fucking hand-out?!?!?  Your idiocy is only matched by your belief that you'd actually get something for nothing.

The U.S. government has "intercepted" $2 billion in checks to compensate for your outstanding student loans, or child support payments, or back taxes.  It's a political sham.  Be on my side, I'll be on your side... until the last minute, when I'll take that rug you're standing on and laugh while you fall on your ass.

Before you condemn me, I'll admit I do agree (partially) with the reason the funds have been stolen from you without your consent.  BUT, what I find tactless is the way it was done.  To rally everyone around the idea of "economic stimulus" and now the entire idea turns out to be bullshit.  If you don't think this was intended from the beginning, you're as naive to politics as a Geek Squad employee is to a sex life.

So sorry, dear interceptee, no sweet new iPhone for you.  No government love.  Betcha wish you forked over that hard earned dough to your alma mater now, dontcha!

The point of this story: its close to midnight on a Monday and I'm tired to the point of delirious. And I just got my stimulus payment in the mail. Six hundred dollars that the government should be using to pave streets or feed hungry kids or whatever. So, here I am, using my super slow non-3g iPhone to search the web for some well deserving cause to donate my stupid f-ing check to. Any suggestions?

(Some clever little joke about putting 200 aside for the new, faster iPhone when it comes out would go here... If this damn keypad would stop auto-un-correcting every damn word I try to type!!!)

POST UPDATE -

About that check: spending it was harder than I thought it would be. I got all mushy and watery-eyed with every website pleading for cash that our trillion dollar war budget could have been better spent on. Killing versus helping. And here I thought we were an intelligent species. Monkeys are smarter.

This is a partial list of some of the places my check went. For as little as $10-$25 is some cases, you can do one of the following (and still by the new iPhone with what part of your check is left over):

1. Help the HRC campaign to keep gay marriage legal in California

2. Feed a family of 4 in the US for 5 weeks

3. Give shelter dogs critical vaccinations

4. Send a nutrition kit to a child in Iraq

5. The Arbor Day Foundation: Plant some shiny new trees

(Note: I sent my trees to Western New York, where my family is. Where a too-early snow brought down hundreds of thousands of trees that hadn’t lost their leaves yet. They are also looking for trees to replace the ones lost in Hurricane Katrina, and I’m sure will soon start accepting donations to recover the trees  currently being washed away in the southern floods.)

Before I begin, I want to say that I refuse to dignify Elisabeth Hasselbeck's comments by addressing them here (she's the blonde at the far right). I will say, however, that someone should stuff a sock in her mouth and then wrap her entire head in duct tape, because that would be less embarrassing for her than being allowed to speak in public. She is ignorant and uniformed, and her position on The View is a poor reflection on Barbara Walters, in my opinion.

With that out of the way, I would now like to address Barbara's comment regarding bigotry:

Since when has stating a fact been defined as bigotry? Kathy was absolutely correct in stating that Republicans do not look out for women and minorities; that they are all about rich white men. That is just as factual as saying that Condi is a black woman. Am I a bigot for seeing that and saying so? If you think so, then I contend that you are the bigot.

OK, so Kathy wasn't as careful with her words in the beginning as she should have been on The View, and had to do a little damage control. That does not equal bigotry! Barbara's accusation was plainly ridiculous.

A short story:

A while back, my son and I were visiting a friend at her apartment complex. My son was acquainted with some of the kids who lived there, but didn't know them well. He was asking around for a specific boy that he wanted to play with, whose name he couldn't remember. He began describing the boy to some other children hoping that someone would know who he was talking about. He said, "He's about this tall, thin, curly hair, wears [some kind of cool shoes] and he's black." The other children began shrieking and calling my son a racist! One boy said, "Dude! Why ya' wanna call somebody 'black' for?"

Um, because he is black, and it was relevant in that context?

My son was devastated to the point of crying. I have made a point of teaching him about racism and what a terrible thing it is. He was horrified by the accusation, even more so by the possibility that he had inadvertently said something racist. It took several days of consoling him and reassuring him that he hadn’t said anything wrong before he stopped worrying about it.

My son was merely describing another boy who he liked and wanted to play with! For this, he was humiliated and wrongly accused. So, from which direction did the damage really come?

The same principle applies to the situation with Kathy Griffin. What she said about Republicans and Condi Rice is absolutely true. Republicans do support and protect rich white men and their bank accounts, and do not support women and minorities. That is a fact that Republicans don't even try to conceal. And before any of you start waving Economic Stimulus checks in my face, don't forget that we'll be paying those back next year, just like we paid back the last "gift" from Dubya.

Stating facts does not make anyone a bigot, even if those facts make certain people uncomfortable. If making people uncomfortable makes one a bigot, surely we're all guilty!

According to yesterday's sale flyer, Wal-Mart will cash your stimulus check for free (they normally charge $3). And hey! Since you're already in the store with a sweaty fist full of cash, why not check out some great deals on enormous plasma TVs!

Whatever.

I thought I might do something really crazy and unorthodox with my stimulus money.

I'm going to (gasp) save it.

Sure, it's subversive and unamerican to not be a good little consumer-bot.

But the fact is, my little junker car will probably not make it through another winter. Since I refuse to take on a car payment, I'm saving my cash. I expect to buy something in the $3000-$4000 range before the snow starts flying in November/December.

I'm thinking of getting an older Subaru. I'm sort of in love with the older Impreza Outback Sport wagons. They're cute and sporty and all-wheel drive is awesome in the snow (this is Maine, after all). They also have pretty good gas mileage and last forever.

So instead of leaping into instant gratification at Wal-Mart, my stimulus spending will be somewhat deferred. This is how people used to make major purchases in the olden days. Seems like a good idea to me.

Related post: Car poverty