Facts and figures on U.S. checks

Starting today, $168 billion in economic-stimulus checks from the federal government will start landing in people's bank accounts. What does this mean for you?

• Checks will be mailed mid-May through mid-July, depending on the last two digits of your Social Security number, with lower numbers getting checks first.

• The checks will be worth up to $600 per person — $1,200 per married couple — plus $300 per child.

• To get a check, you must have filed a 2007 tax return, which was due April 15.

• If you're retired, a disabled veteran or someone who normally doesn't file a tax return, you still can file a 2007 tax return before Oct. 15 so you can get your check. See www.irs.gov for instructions.

• Those who filed tax returns early and asked for direct deposit in a bank account could get them as early as Monday.

• Stimulus checks phase out for those making over $75,000 a year, or $150,000 per married couple, at 5 percent of the total over that threshold. So, say a couple with no children made $160,000. That couple is $10,000 over the threshold, and 5 percent of that is $500. So, if they were in line to get $1,200, they'd instead get $700.

• To calculate how much you're getting, or for other information about your stimulus check, visit www.irs.gov.

Source: Internal Revenue Service