Yes, you do have to claim it. The IRS sent out a letter that they wanted you to keep for your taxes. I accidentally threw it away, but I think all you have to do is claim the amount of the check. It seems kind of unfair to give us a stimulus check and then ask us to pay taxes on it. There was a section in my tax software that specifically asked about the check.
I'm not sure exactly, but I don't think you're taxed on it. I did our taxes on TurboTax and it asked how much we received. We were actually entitled to $2100 because we had a baby last year, but since he wasn't claimed on our 2007 taxes we only got $1800, so we got $300 extra. The stimulus was essentially giving you back money you paid, so I think you would have owed less in taxes if you hadn't gotten the check. I could be wrong, but you definitely have to tell them what you received.
Thanks all for you response.
over 40 and tired