Ok, try this. Where it ask, "Did you or did you not receive a stimulus check and how much it was?" I ran it both ways. Guess what, I would have gotten back X number of dollars without it and got back X number of dollars "LESS" claiming it. I know a few other people whos numbers are coming out the same.

It was an advance on this years return, plain and simple.

In a way it is FREE MONEY, "YOUR MONEY". You either got it then or you get it now. The taxing of it is not the point.

The rebate, for most people, was actually an advanced credit on their 2008 income taxes. That credit does not need to be repaid or be subtracted from your 2008 tax refund when you file your return in 2009. Neither will it be taxed later. The credit is essentially free money.