According to the IRS, some Douglas residents have begun to receive their economic stimulus rebates on Monday.

The IRS had originally scheduled the first round of payments for May 2.

In all 7.7 million taxpaying Americans will receive a stimulus check this week, said William Brunson, a spokesman for the IRS.

The reason for the earlier payment schedule is that some of the tax returns were easier to process, therefore the IRS was able to begin sending out payments.

The IRS will issue payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17, throughout the spring and summer, Brunson said.

The first wave of payments will go to people who chose direct deposit on the 2007 income tax returns.

“People who chose direct deposit will receive their economic stimulus payments the quickest,” said IRS Commission Doug Shulman. “We know there are many people who are eligible for an economic stimulus payment who have not filed a tax return. If you think you may be eligible, even if you don’t normally file. Please check it out.”

Overall, recipients of the payments will be receiving the payments about a week earlier.

For taxpayers who did not chose direct deposit, and they filed on or before April 15, they will begin to see their payments beginning May 9.

Stimulus Payment Schedule for Tax Returns

Received and Processed by April 15

 Direct Deposit Payments

If the last two digits of your                           Your economic stimulus payment deposit

 Social Security number are:                        should be sent to your bank account by:

    00 – 20                                                                                      May 2

    21 – 75                                                                                      May 9

    76 – 99                                                                                      May 16

Paper Check

If the last two digits of your                                   Your check should be in the mail by:

Social Security number are:   

    00 – 09                                                                                      May 16

    10 – 18                                                                                      May 23

    19 – 25                                                                                      May 30

    26 – 38                                                                                     June 6

    39 – 51                                                                                     June 13

    52 – 63                                                                                     June 20

    64 – 75                                                                                     June 27

    76 – 87                                                                                     July 4       

    88 – 99                                                                                     July 11