[Myrddin]

On the other hand if people who paid no tax in 2007 are included the treasury won’t get anything back in the form of 2008 tax due. SO it then amounts to welfare, pure and simple.

I do the taxes for my two sons. The oldest has been working a minimum wage job. He earned $10,300 in 2007. He paid $110 in FIT, $64 in SIT. He will qualify for EITC and whatever welfare check this "stimulus" package distributes. That's a real world look at what is going on here.

[ajay_kumar]

I neglected to make it clear that the $3000 minimum applies to EARNED INCOME.
So the thinking seems to be to encourage & help working people even at the small end of income.