By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: May 9, 2008

Many of you have had a similar question about the rebate.

Christine called in asking, “I was wondering what would happen, how would the checks come to you if you filed fast tax through Jackson Hewitt or H&R Block?”

If you scan the email coming to WSLS, you’ll see many more questions that are almost the same.

Richard called the station with the answer.

“If you had the fees deducted or had rapid return, you will not get direct deposit,” he said. “You’ll get a check on the check schedule.”

I checked H&R Block’s website and here’s the deal. If you got your 2007 return through a Refund Anticipation Loan, you will not get your rebate through direct deposit. Instead, it comes through the mail.

And what if you used Turbo Tax? Tammy called in to say, “The stimulus checks, even though I did my mine on the computer with Turbo Tax, I get direct deposit, but because I used them I will get a paper check.”

Basically it’s the same deal as with the other tax preparers. According to Turbo Tax, if you got your ‘07 tax refund using an account with the Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, you’ll get your rebate through the mail.

What’s the reason? The tax preparer received your tax refund, deducted their fees from the refund and then deposited the rest in your account. The only information the IRS has is your street address not your bank account number. So, the only way they can get a check to you is through the mail.

But what about this question, “We filed with H&R Block and we got the Emerald Card but we threw it away after using it. Will it be a problem or will they just mail the check to our home address?”

They will not mail it your home. H&R Block’s website says if you received your tax return on an Emerald Card then your rebate check will be direct deposited to your emerald card.

For more information on the delivery schedule for the checks, go to the IRS website.