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By: Mark Dufort on Fri Apr 25, 2008

When the IRS sends out the economic stimulus tax rebates (the hotly anticipated economic stimulus checks that will arrive before the tax rebate schedule!), many retailers will be anxious to get a piece of that government dollar from us. In light of a recent Reuters survey, only three out of ten of us actually plan to spend the rebate checks (others favor saving, investing, making mortgage payments, or paying off bills), but even so, that’s a lot of extra cash to be dumping into the economy, and retail chains are eager for it, especially after a period of decreased consumer spending.

If you’re one of those 3 in 10 Americans planning on stimulating the economy, take a look over the list below, to see what the retailers are offering you for your tax rebate dollar. Many local businesses will have sales and offers after the rebate checks are sent out, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the newspapers and local television news broadcasts.

Kroger
Kroger, the grocery store chain, will offer 10% on top of their rebate for all customers who exchange their check for a Kroger gift card, but only up to $600. Any customers who have rebate checks worth more than $300 but less than $600 would get a $330 Kroger gift card, and anything above the amount of $300 back.

Sears
The giant retailer Sears, which also owns K-Mart & Land’s End is offering an additional 10% for all customers who spend their rebates with the retailer or their associated stores. Customers can cash in their economic stimulus checks in store, and exchange them for a gift card with the value of the rebate check, plus 10% tacked on. The program starts on May 14th and continues on until July 19th, but the gift card will never expire and there are no associated fees.

Supervalu
Supervalue, the parent company of Albertsons, Shop n’ Save, Jewel-Osco and many other local chains offers customers the change to exchange their tax rebate checks for gift cards with an %10. The program launches on May 2nd, and lasts until July 31st.

Staples
Staples is targeting small business owners by offering $50 off of any in-store purchases of $500 or higher, and $150 off of any furniture $1000 and higher. Until June 30th, Staples will also charge no interest and require no payments on any purchases for six months, which might make for a nasty post-holiday surprise – credit card bills!

Home Depot
The renovation and home supplies store is taking a different, savvier, and also greener approach by offering discounts up until July on all compact fluorescent light bulbs (which will also help cut energy bills!) and appliances that are certified as Energy Star appliances.

Chrysler's Let's Refuel America Gas Cards
With the purchase of an eligible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicle, customers can enroll in the "Let's Refuel America" program and receive a gas card that immediately lowers their gas price to
$2.99 a gallon, and keeps it there for three years. The offer is available at 3,511 U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008, and is available on vehicles ranging from popular new compacts, crossovers and minivans to full-size diesel-powered pickup trucks.

But you’re a smarter tax-paying citizen, right? Invest.