Why Did the IRS Do This?

[silverscreenselect]

We got our "stimulus" check Saturday.

But last Monday, for some reason, the IRS felt that they had to tell us that they would be sending our check out at the end of the week and how the amount was calculated.

Now I've got no problems with them sending out an informational notice explaining how the amount was calculated. But why do they send it out in a letter that arrives less than one week before the check itself. Why not just combine the two and save a fortune on postage?

[MarleysGh0st]

Now I've got no problems with them sending out an informational notice explaining how the amount was calculated. But why do they send it out in a letter that arrives less than one week before the check itself. Why not just combine the two and save a fortune on postage?

All part of the stimulation plan? Or maybe so you're on the lookout for it, in case the actual check is stolen from your mailbox?

My stimulus check was deposited into my checking account, where it fungibly mixed with my other deposits and hasn't stimulated any additional spending, whatsoever.

[sunflower]

Did your check arrive later than it was supposed to? My boyfriend got the same letter, but he was supposed to be in one of the first batches and never received a check, so we assumed that they sent that because they were late with the check. I want to know how much more it cost to do that, you're late, we can't do anything about it, but please don't spend more taxpayer money telling us it's late, we already knew that!!!

Someone he knows got the check first, then the letter, that was ridiculous.

He still hasn't gotten his check, even though the letter said it would arrive by 7/5. Fingers are crossed for today.

[ulysses5019]

We got our "stimulus" check Saturday.

But last Monday, for some reason, the IRS felt that they had to tell us that they would be sending our check out at the end of the week and how the amount was calculated.

Now I've got no problems with them sending out an informational notice explaining how the amount was calculated. But why do they send it out in a letter that arrives less than one week before the check itself. Why not just combine the two and save a fortune on postage?

Does Bob Dole need a "stimulus" check?

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

At least you got a check. We got nothing.

[Four Hour Stiffy]

We got our "stimulus" check Saturday.

But last Monday, for some reason, the IRS felt that they had to tell us that they would be sending our check out at the end of the week and how the amount was calculated.

Now I've got no problems with them sending out an informational notice explaining how the amount was calculated. But why do they send it out in a letter that arrives less than one week before the check itself. Why not just combine the two and save a fortune on postage?

Does Bob Dole need a "stimulus" check?

Hey Smokey! I've got a fire for you to put out....

[ulysses5019]

We got our "stimulus" check Saturday.

But last Monday, for some reason, the IRS felt that they had to tell us that they would be sending our check out at the end of the week and how the amount was calculated.

Now I've got no problems with them sending out an informational notice explaining how the amount was calculated. But why do they send it out in a letter that arrives less than one week before the check itself. Why not just combine the two and save a fortune on postage?

Does Bob Dole need a "stimulus" check?

Hey Smokey! I've got a fire for you to put out....

Why? Are you delurking?

[andrewjackson]

The only rationale I can think of is to alert you to fact that your check should be arriving. This accomplishes two goals.

1. You don't throw the check away mistakenly. Anyone who throws away IRS letters is asking for trouble but you never know.

2. If you don't get the check soon after the letter you would be more likely to notify the IRS. I guess a thief could take the notification letter and then then a week or so later steal the check but that seems unlikely.

I'm not saying that this is the IRS rationale but it is the only one I can think of.

[silverscreenselect]

The only rationale I can think of is to alert you to fact that your check should be arriving. This accomplishes two goals.

1. You don't throw the check away mistakenly. Anyone who throws away IRS letters is asking for trouble but you never know.

But if people throw out IRS letters without opening them, wouldn't they be likely to just throw the first letter out?

[gsabc]

The only rationale I can think of is to alert you to fact that your check should be arriving. This accomplishes two goals.

1. You don't throw the check away mistakenly. Anyone who throws away IRS letters is asking for trouble but you never know.

2. If you don't get the check soon after the letter you would be more likely to notify the IRS. I guess a thief could take the notification letter and then then a week or so later steal the check but that seems unlikely.

I'm not saying that this is the IRS rationale but it is the only one I can think of.

That may be the rationale, but it was a bit redundant in my case. My "check" was directly deposited into my account, and the deposit was made on the same day that my notification letter arrived.

I suppose if the deposit had not arrived, I would have eventually noticed it and contacted the IRS even without the notification letter. Receiving it would have made me realize its absence earlier.