How will you spend your tax rebate?

A shopper at an upscale boutique in Poland found just what she wanted — a white, lace top that could be worn with casual summer pants or jeans.

The problem was that it cost $279. But that little sticking point is about to go away, thanks to Uncle Sam.

“I’ll be back when I get my tax rebate,” the shopper told Angie Lubonovich, assistant buyer at Kegelle’s.

Shoppers often can count on one bonus from the federal government, a refund of taxes that they overpaid the previous year. But this spring, President Bush and Congress are passing out more money in the form of tax rebates in the hopes of stimulating a sagging economy.

The extra payments, which will start arriving this week, amount to up to $600 per adult and $300 per child under 17.

For the shopper at Kegelle’s, pocketing an extra $600 this year means she could buy the white top and a pair of matching white pants from fashion designer Rebecca Taylor. The pants also cost $279.

Of course, spending nearly $600 on one outfit doesn’t tempt every shopper.

read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com