By way of the Lao Voices blog, if you know of people who do not normally pay federal income taxes or file income tax returns, namely elderly people receiving Social Security payments, they may not be aware that they qualify for the $600 tax rebate provided for by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

Even if you aren’t normally required to file a federal income tax return, you must file one if you want to be among the 130 million individuals who will receive a check from Treasury beginning in May of this year. The IRS will use information on the 2007 tax return filed by the taxpayer to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payment…

Low-income workers who had at least $3,000 in earned income (such as wages) and other qualifying income in 2007 but do not otherwise earn enough to be required to file a federal tax return need to file a return to qualify for the stimulus payment. Other qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, or certain veterans’ benefits…

Normally, Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits and veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs are not subject to income tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains special provisions allowing recipients of these non-taxable benefits to count them toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby qualify for the stimulus payment. (Source: Lao Voices 2/21/08)

Let’s make sure everyone in Elgin gets what they’re qualified to get.

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