The Internal Revenue Service recently announced it will send a second set of information packets to 64,000 Minnesota retirees and veterans who may be eligible but who have not yet filed for their stimulus payment. Nearly 730 Carlton County residents may qualify for a stimulus but haven't filed a 2007 tax return to claim one yet. The agency reminds these people that it is not too late to file for an economic stimulus payment. The deadline is Oct. 15.
The packages will contain everything needed by a person who normally does not have a filing requirement but who must file this year in order to receive an economic stimulus payment. There will be instructions, an example Form 1040A return showing the few lines that need to be completed, and a blank Form 1040A. The packages will be mailed over a three-week period starting July 21.
"In just a few simple steps, retirees and disabled veterans can have their stimulus payment on its way. It's certainly not too late, but the sooner you file, the faster you'll have your stimulus payment in your hands," said Carrie Resch, IRS spokesperson.
The mailing is part of an IRS summer campaign to reach out to those people who have no requirement to file a tax return but who may be eligible for a stimulus payment of up to $300 ($600 for married filing jointly). For those eligible for a payment for themselves, there also is a $300 per child payment for eligible children younger than 17.
The IRS has accounted for about 75 percent of the approximately 20 million Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries identified as being potential stimulus recipients. All but 5.2 million of those have either filed a return, filed a joint return or were not eligible for a stimulus payment (for example, they were claimed as a dependent on another's return).
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The agency also reminded people that it has more than 400 local Taxpayer Assistance Centers operating normal business hours Monday through Friday. These centers can provide assistance to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments. A list of addresses and office hours can be found at the "Contact Me" link on the agency's Web site: www.IRS.gov .
As of July 11, the IRS had issued 112.4 million payments totaling $91.8 billion. Payments are based on 2007 tax returns being filed this year.
People must file by Oct. 15 in order to receive a payment in 2008. Those who do not file a tax return to obtain their stimulus payment this year may still receive their stimulus payments by filing a 2008 tax return next spring, but then their stimulus payment would be based on their 2008 qualifying income.
