Residents must file 2007 tax return in order to be eligible
BY JOURNAL TIMES STAFF | Posted: Thursday, July 3, 2008 12:00 am
RACINE COUNTY - More than 3,000 people here who do not normally file a tax return will go without a tax stimulus check unless they file a return sometime soon.
The Internal Revenue Service is reaching out to some 77,000 retirees and disabled veterans across Wisconsin in the hope they will file a tax return. Filing a return is the trigger for receiving a stimulus check, but many people who don't need to file a return have not done so this year.
In Racine County, 3,029 people have a check coming if they file a return, according to the IRS. The numbers are 2,183 in Kenosha County and 1,326 in Walworth County. Absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again.
"The key to unlock the stimulus payment is a 2007 tax return," said Christopher Miller, IRS spokesman for Wisconsin.
The IRS has so far issued 76.5 million payments worth $63.8 billion, based on the 2007 tax returns processed so far. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year's end.
The IRS says that receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received. The stimulus payment is not taxable.
The agency has more than 400 local taxpayer assistance centers operating during normal business hours Monday through Friday. These centers can provide help to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments. A list for addresses and office hours can be found at "Contact My Local Office" at
http://www.irs.gov
For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus the $300 for each qualifying child. To be eligible for the minimum payment, people must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income which includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement.