Want to get your tax rebate faster? File your taxes early and electronically, and arrange for direct deposit.

The IRS drove home that message today when it announced its schedule for delivering economic stimulus rebates. Folks whose federal tax forms are processed by the IRS by the April 15 deadline and who arrange for direct deposit can expect their rebates to be sent to their bank accounts no later than May 16. You're more likely to have your taxes processed by April 15 if you file electronically.

The IRS will deliver stimulus payments based on the last two digits of filers' Social-Security numbers; the lower those digits, the earlier the payment. If a couple is filing jointly, the first Social Security number on the tax return is the one that counts in determining the payment schedule.

For folks whose returns are processed by April 15 and arrange for direct deposit:
Those whose last two Social-Security number digits are between 00 and 20 are expected to get the first payments, by May 2.
Those with last digits between 21 and 75 should get their payments by May 9.
Those with last digits between 76 and 99 should get theirs by May 16.

In contrast, the IRS says it will begin to send out paper checks on May 16, even for early filers. The agency says it expects to send out the last checks to on-time filers by July 11. You may have to wait a few days extra for the checks to reach your mailbox.

If there's a problem with processing your return, your payment--whether by direct deposit or paper check--could be delayed beyond those target dates. And anyone filing for an extension will have to wait for their rebate for at least two weeks after they get their refund.

IRS spokesman Eric Smith notes that by filing electronically, you can expect your rebate from two weeks to two months sooner than if you filed by mail. Even if you owe the government, you can file now and arrange for payment on April 15; that way, even with no refund, you'll get your rebate faster.

"If you've never tried electronic filing, this is the year to do it," Smith told us. "If you're getting a refund, you'll get it sooner. If you're getting a rebate, you'll really get it sooner."

While you're waiting for the rebate, try the IRS's new economic stimulus payment calculator to determine how large a rebate you'll get. To do a proper estimate, you'll need to have filled out your 2007 Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.