MBS coupons are trading near the afternoon highs from yesterday (slightly better than last post). Some investors may reprice for the better given the lack of YSP provided yesterday....reprices for the better are due if they were not passed along yesterday. MBS is outperforming the steepening yield curve so far today...spreads tighter.

TIIIMMMAAAAY Geithner is about to speak before the House Ways and Means Committee. Here's how markets are behaving pre-Geithner statement

Pre-TIIIMMAAAAAY Yield Curve...

 Pre-TIIIMMAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!! Stocks...

If you didnt file your income taxes and want a lower mortgage rate...you better do it!!!

WASHINGTON - Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $1.3 billion are awaiting over a million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2005, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2005 must be filed with the IRS no later than Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

Especially in these tough economic times, people should not lose out on money that is rightfully theirs," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "People should check their records, especially if they had taxes withheld from their paychecks but were not required to file a tax return.  They may be leaving money on the table, including valuable tax credits that can mean even more money in their pockets."

The IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds for tax year 2005 would receive more than $581. Some individuals may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments.  In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2005 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2009. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, postmarked and mailed by that date. There is no penalty assessed by the IRS for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2005 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2006 or 2007. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS and may be used to satisfy unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, individuals stand to lose more than refunds of taxes withheld or paid during 2005. Many low-income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Generally, unmarried individuals qualified for the EITC if in 2005 they earned less than $35,263 and had more than one qualifying child living with them, earned less than $31,030 with one qualifying child, or earned less than $11,750 and had no qualifying child. Limits are slightly higher for married individuals filing jointly.

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications web page of IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it is also available on IRS.gov. Taxpayers who need help also can call the toll-free IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040.

Individuals Who Did Not File a 2005 Return with an Estimated Refund

                                                Total

                                Median                Estimated

                                Estimated            Refunds

                   Individuals  Refund* ($000)*

Alabama              21,400   $585       $18,167

Alaska                  6,100     $665       $6,925

Arizona                 36,900   $487       $31,234

Arkansas              11,400   $547       $9,756

California             154,500  $537       $144,580

Colorado              23,700   $532       $20,676

Connecticut          16,000   $659       $18,234

Delaware              5,400     $592       $5,117

Dist of Columbia    5,300     $564       $5,518

Florida                 99,300   $609       $108,162

Georgia                44,400   $538       $39,381

Hawaii                  9,400     $639       $11,108

Idaho                   5,300     $464       $4,113

Illinois                  50,400   $640       $53,166

Indiana                 26,600   $624       $24,041

Iowa                     11,800   $587       $9,367

Kansas                 12,900   $555       $10,804

Kentucky              14,600   $588       $12,506

Louisiana              24,900   $594       $24,388

Maine                   4,900     $532       $3,928

Maryland              30,600   $584       $29,967

Massachusetts       29,600   $638       $31,942

Michigan               45,100   $609       $42,390

Minnesota             19,700   $531       $17,085

Mississippi            12,200   $533       $10,311

Missouri                26,000   $550       $21,237

Montana               3,700     $509       $3,125

Nebraska              5,900     $548       $5,091

Nevada                18,300   $551       $17,588

New Hampshire     5,500     $667       $5,759

New Jersey           41,100   $646       $43,761

New Mexico           9,400     $532       $7,724

New York              76,800   $639       $82,994

North Carolina       37,300   $515       $29,645

North Dakota         2,000     $553       $1,647

Ohio                     44,600   $571       $37,290

Oklahoma             17,000   $546       $14,541

Oregon                 21,000   $467       $16,138

Pennsylvania         47,800   $623       $43,958

Rhode Island         4,500     $610       $4,332

South Carolina       16,000   $506       $13,240

South Dakota         2,400     $602       $2,046

Tennessee             21,900   $586       $19,917

Texas                   103,000  $624       $105,241

Utah                      8,300     $496       $8,334

Vermont                2,300     $550       $1,730

Virginia                 40,200   $576       $40,657

Washington            35,600   $624       $39,414

West Virginia         4,900     $627       $4,389

Wisconsin              16,900   $535       $13,825

Wyoming              2,800     $649       $2,785

Armed Forces       5,500     $800       $4,540

Total              1,343,000    $581       $1,284,133

*Excluding the Earned Income Credit and other taxes.