Millions of Americans will receive letters from the Internal Revenue Service this week urging them to file tax returns and claim tax rebates available under the economic stimulus package.

The mail alerts will continue through March as the IRS promotes the one-time stimulus payment of $600 (£302) per person who files a return, WebCPA reports.

The payments start in May, alongside an additional $300m payment for children under the age of 17.

'These letters are the first step in an extensive outreach effort Treasury and the IRS will be leading over the weeks ahead to inform qualified Americans how to get their stimulus payment,' Treasury secretary Henry Paulson said.

Further reading:

IRS tax armoury expanded

Visit the IRS here