THE High Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the legality of the Federal Government's proposed $900 tax bonus to 8.7 million taxpayers.

The case has been brought by a law lecturer and former National Party office holder, Bryan Pape, a champion of states' rights.

The High Court will hear the case on March 30 and 31.

The Government plans to begin paying the bonus, part of its $42 billion economic stimulus package, in April.

The court has been advised by the Australian Taxation Office that, if it is to stop printing cheques, it needs to be told by the close of business on April 2.