OxfordPress.com

The Internal Revenue Service will begin sending more than 130 million economic stimulus payments starting May 2.

The agency will distribute the payments based on the last two digits of the Social Security number used on the tax return. On a jointly-filed return, the first Social Security number listed will determine the mail-out time.

Eric Erickson, spokesman for the IRS, said they expect to make about 34 million payments within the first three weeks, with 25 percent of the checks sent out during that time frame.

"Taxpayers who choose direct deposit on their federal income tax returns can expect to receive their economic stimulus payments between May 2 and May 16, provided their returns were received and processed by April 15," Erickson said.

For those who did not request direct deposit, paper checks will be sent in the mail starting May 16.

Residents not normally required to file a tax return, such as senior citizens and the disabled, can expect their stimulus payments about two weeks after receiving their tax refunds, Erickson said.

To make sure you get a stimulus payment, you must file a 2007 tax return no later than Oct. 15, he said.

To find out how much you could receive as a stimulus payment, use the IRS's online calculator available at irs.gov. You must have already filed a tax return to use the calculator.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jlander@coxohio.com.

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