Searching For Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Your Tax Rebate Check

By MoneyBlueBook

Updated - The IRS has released the official 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment Schedule.

Also, read about the prospects and chances of an Obama stimulus check for 2009.

Based on the substantial traffic and comments I've been receiving for the article I wrote explaining and breaking down the details of the 2008 Stimulus Rebate Package, it's clear that everyone in the United States is concerned about their rebate checks. Everybody wants to know how large their own tax rebate check will be and when they can expect to receive it.

There are many questions to be answered and I've been trying my best to respond to them all. While most questions have been straightforward, others have been slightly more complicated with issues relating to Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy filings, or issues relating to wage garnishment and student loan liens. But I will continue to do my best to answer your flurry of tax rebate comments and e-mails.

Visit The IRS Website For The Official Source Of Tax Rebate News and Updates

While I can't necessarily state that all answers that I provide are definitive, I do try my best to answer accurately based on research and reasonable information. One thing I have noticed is the vast amount of misinformation and speculation that is available on the internet. There seems to be much conjecture and rumors surrounding the tax rebate, particularly as it relates to timetable and the order that the checks will be sent out. I wish to remind readers that the only definitive source

By MoneyBlueBook

As one who used to practice law as an attorney, I've only had a smattering of exposure to ambulance chasing - the layman's term for legal work that embodies mostly straight forward and very lucrative personal injury type cases. However based on the exposure I've had, I still retain some pretty strong opinions in counter response to persistent public calls for handicapping the wheels of litigation and placing caps on large damage awards.

Much of this anti-lawyer sentiment is based on mainstream public mistrust of trial attorneys and the work that they do. While I agree that our population has evolved into a society a bit too obsessed and even paranoid about lawyers and lawsuits, I think the passionate furor and lemming-like disdain of litigation beguiles its importance as one of the key cornerstones of what makes our country so democratic and free. Lest we forget, it is because of our pro-litigation society that our businesses and services have been able to consistently deliver such quality and corruption free excellence. Not all of society and the business world will forever remain pure and blameless, but should their actions harm or damage any person or entity, we as Americans can always rest assured that the offending parties will be held accountable. No where else in the world is there such a reliable guarantee in place.

A Pro Litigation Society Protects Quality and Advances Our Individual Rights and Freedoms

I frequently hear and read about writers and individuals who like to complain about lawsuits and denounce those who file claims

By MoneyBlueBook

Update: Read About The Possibility Of A 2009 Second Stimulus Check

With both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate having nodded their respective approvals of the nearly $160 billion economic stimulus package (that's "B' as in Billion), the bill has finally been signed, sealed, and delivered to President Bush for final approval. The President has already indicated that he will quickly sign the economic aid into law - so I believe the rebate checks will soon be on their way to a mailbox or direct deposit account near you.

I shall try to explain how the 2008 economic stimulus package will work and how much you can expect to receive in the way of a rebate check.

1) Why Are We Getting A Tax Rebate Check?

The Tax Rebate Check is part of the U.S. government's emergency pro-growth economic stimulus plan to prevent the U.S. economy from stalling out and entering a period of prolonged recession. Due to the recent slowdown in the economy caused by housing bubble problems and subprime mortgage related issues, the federal government wants to keep the economy on the up and up by putting money into the hands of U.S. consumers to encourage increased consumer spending. Like jump starting a car, the government wants to hand consumers extra wads of cash to encourage increased business investment and consumer activity. Surveys have indicated that at least half of consumers intend to use the money to pay down existing debt, while the other half intends to either save or spent

By MoneyBlueBook

There's no denying that we are in a major real estate funk right now. Housing prices have plummeted and the real estate housing successes enjoyed by many in years past are long gone, despite the blinded and self-motivated views of some. But yet, home sellers are still putting their homes up for sale and there are still buyers roaming the streets looking to snap up their future homes. If you are a seller, here are some reasons why your home may not be selling well, and some things you should look at to ensure you are truly maximizing your home's value and chances. Some factors like broad housing conditions are beyond your control, but others you can personally change to improve your selling advantage.

1) Your Home Asking Price May Be Set Too High

As much as you'd like to think that you or your real agent determine the market value of your home, at the end of the day, it's the market and the buyer that set the price. They determine how much your home is worth and how much they are willing to pay for it. Overpricing your home is the number one reason why homes don't sell. Much of the interest in a home is generated within the first 30 days it is placed for sale. By overinflating your asking price, you price out many prospective buyers, particularly if they feel you have no intention of budging or negotiating lower.

Remember to price your house similarly enough with the other comparables in your

By MoneyBlueBook

Note: If you wish to understand more about the the 2008 Economic Stimulus Package, please read my entry regarding the tax stimulus rebate payments. I have also updated the subject with an entry discussing the possibilities of a 2009 economic stimulus check as well.

In response to the dramatic drag on the economy caused by the developing housing crisis and mortgage meltdown, the federal government has finally stopped dragging its knuckles on the ground and sprung to action - proposing to send taxpayers rebate checks in an effort to jump start the economy. Under the current bipartisan proposal, most taxpayers would be eligible, with $600 checks going towards individuals who pay taxes, $1,200 going towards working couples with an additional $300 for each children, and even $300 going towards anyone who earned a paycheck even if they made too little to pay income taxes. Many details in the package have yet to be hammered out including the business stimulus portion that provides additional tax breaks for businesses that purchase capital equipment as well as the housing assistance portion that helps riskier borrowers, who have been shut out of the tanking subprime mortgage market, qualify for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans.

The current tentative proposal still needs to be be rammed through the House of Representatives, the Senate, and ultimately approved by the President to be made official, but so far the likelihood of it happening looks very promising. There is great congressional and presidential pressure to speed this through the system and

By MoneyBlueBook

Most ordinary investors know about the general wisdom of investing in the stock market and the importance of portfolio diversification, but have you ever considered investing in gold? Admittedly, the very concept of investing in gold is strange to begin with. After all you're paying money to buy a shiny piece of metal dug from the ground that is more commonly associated with jewelry meant to adorn the body. With all the technological advancements and investment vehicles out there today like stocks, bonds, currency exchanges, and options, why would any sophisticated investor choose to include this physical asset as part of his or her investment portfolio?

The answer lies in how gold has been regarded and used throughout history. Since the beginning of time, gold has been prized as a measurement of wealth due to its rarity and unique functional qualities. From ancient China to the ancient Egyptians, to pre- modern day United States, gold has been used to stabilize and back currencies. Even our United States currency remained on the gold pegged standard until 1971 when President Nixon suspended the convertibility of U.S. dollars into gold. Since then, world currencies including the dollar have operated on a float fiat money system where currency value comes not from the underlying intrinsic value of the paper itself, but from supply and demand driven by exchange traders.

Gold Performance Vs. Stocks

Because they are from two completely different asset classes, investors value gold and stocks quite differently. As a precious material, gold has always had the ability to