Published: July 02, 2008 10:58 pm         

5,000 missing chance at money

IRS reports many in Valley haven’t filed tax return, received stimulus check

TERRE HAUTE — About 5,000 Wabash Valley residents may be missing out on their chance to receive a stimulus check from the federal government.

The IRS reports more than 1,900 Vigo County retirees and disabled veterans who might qualify for a stimulus check have yet to file a 2007 tax return. Another 3,000 veterans and retirees in surrounding counties also failed to file a return, the IRS reports.

Filing a federal return, even if you normally pay no federal income taxes, is a necessary first step in receiving a stimulus check.

Some retirees and disabled veterans may not have known they might qualify to receive a stimulus payment, said Jodie Reynolds, an IRS spokeswoman in Indianapolis.

To encourage those individuals to file a return, the IRS will be sending letters later this summer to around 92,000 Hoosiers — including those in Vigo County — identified as potentially qualifying for the stimulus check but who failed to file a tax return.

The IRS will be sending the letters to retirees and disabled veterans urging them to file a form 1040A, which asks for basic information such as name, address, dependents, direct deposit information and qualifying income. The letters will include a sample tax form and an actual tax form people can complete and mail to the IRS.

To receive a stimulus check, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income in 2007. That income does not have to be taxable but can include earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement, according to an IRS media statement.

For people with no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is still a minimum stimulus payment of $300 ($600 for married couples) and $300 for each qualifying child, according to the media statement.

“This summer, we will go the extra mile to help the remaining [retirees and disabled veterans] get their payments,” Reynolds said.

Individuals have until Oct. 15 to file a federal tax return to become eligible for a stimulus check.

For assistance completing the 1040A, taxpayers can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Taxpayers also can visit the IRS taxpayer assistance center at 801 Wabash Ave. in Terre Haute; however, visiting the assistance center could involve a wait. It is recommended that you call the assistance center at (812) 478-0405 before visiting to verify hours of operation on any given day. The center’s normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m.).

Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.

     

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