From The Star Tribune:
The latest: President Obama said Saturday that most Americans will start seeing the benefits of the new tax cuts by April 1. "Never before in our history has a tax cut taken effect faster or gone to so many hardworking Americans," Obama said in his weekly address. In tandem, the Treasury Department began directing employers to reduce the amount of taxes withheld from people's paychecks as soon as possible.
His address: Obama said he was grateful to Congress, governors, mayors and all the people who supported the $787 billion economic stimulus measure, which including both tax cuts and new spending. Still, he added: "It is only a first step on the road to economic recovery. And we cannot fail to complete the journey." He said the country also must stem foreclosures, repair the banking system and revamp financial regulations.
What to expect: The tax credit -- up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married couples -- will be doled out through the rest of the year through a payroll tax cut reflected in paychecks. Most workers should see about a $13 per week increase in their take-home pay. But the credit is phased out for higher-income taxpayers. People who do not earn enough money to owe income taxes can file for their share.