The last year's stimulus checks were tax free -
If you received a government stimulus check last year, you do not have to pay taxes on this check this tax season. You must acknowledge receipt of a stimulus check, for accounting purposes, but you should not calculate your check as income.
Approximately 15% of those who have already filed their 2008 returns have made the mistake of declaring their stimulus check as income, which led to those taxpayers who receive smaller refunds or make payment of higher taxes they should have.
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