I’m upset. As per usual, I come here to vent.

Hey Government: You want to know how to really make people mad? Promise them money, and then don’t give it to them.

I have waited patiently for my stimulus check. I used the irs.gov website to calculate my rebate ($2100 based on my wife and myself, as well as three kids). Two weeks ago I got a letter from the IRS that said, “You are entitled to an economic stimulus payment of $2100 as provided by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.” I got my stimulus check in the mail yesterday. It was for $772.06. That’s right Mabel, $1327.94 less than what the government said they would be giving me.

The letter that said I am due $2100 had a phone number on it. It said, “Whom you can contact with questions.” I called the number on the letter, and got nothing but recording.

When I go to the website as instructed, I enter my SSN, filing status, and number of exemptions. It tells me the following:

Your total Stimulus payment was calculated as $2,100.00 and consists of the following:Basic Amount: $1,200.00. Qualifying Child Amount: $900.00 (Based on 3 qualifying children). Your payment of $772.06 is scheduled to be issued on June 27, 2008. If you do not receive your check by July 25, 2008, please contact us again. We are unable to take any action until then.

Please Note:
You may receive part or none of your Stimulus payment if you have any outstanding IRS tax liabilities or owe other federal debts such as child support, another federal agency debt, or state income tax. If this applies to you, you will receive a notice within the next two weeks providing details of the offset.

I still owe $863 on my 2006 taxes, for which I filed a form 9465 (Installment Payments of Tax). The IRS has been deducting my monthly payment ever since last September. I have six months of payments left. Now, I would understand if they sent me a check for $1200, and then I wouldn’t have to make payments anymore.

I will be very interested to read their letter in two weeks, telling me where my $1327.94 went, and if they take the $150 out of my checking account this month. Right now I am just irate.

Anybody have any ideas?