CHENANGO COUNTY – Taxpayers throughout the country are eagerly awaiting checks from the Internal Revenue Service, which are scheduled to be automatically mailed out as part of an economic stimulus package. While the IRS has said taxpayers in most cases will not have to do anything extra to receive their checks, the Chenango County Area Agency on the Aging and the Earned Income Tax Credit Partnership Committee are advising senior citizens and individuals with disabilities to file tax forms, even if they are not required to do so.
According to Brian Wessels of the Chenango County Area Agency on the Aging, there are approximately 20 million people in the United States who don’t usually file a tax return who are eligible for the stimulus package funds. While Wessels was unable to estimate how many of those individuals reside in Chenango County, he said the number could be significant.
The stimulus package was passed by the federal government in order to help the slowing economy. The IRS will be sending rebate checks to over 130 million households beginning in May. Payments will range from $300 to $600.
While many low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities don’t normally file a return, Wessels is hoping to educate those in the area of the advantages of doing so.
“We’re hoping we can get the information out to people through the senior centers and the AARP [American Association of Retired Persons],” Wessels said. The AARP and the Earned Income Tax Credit Partnership Committee run free tax preparation sites for low-income individuals, so taxes can be filed free of charge.
In addition, the IRS has created a sample of Form 1040A with information on how to fill out a few lines that will enable eligible people who do not normally file a tax return to receive the stimulus payment. More information is available on the IRS web site at www.irs.gov.
Seniors wishing to schedule an appointment for tax preparation through the AARP program should call 337-1770. All others should contact the EITC Partnership Hotline at Opportunities For Chenango to determine if you qualify for the free tax preparation at 336-2101.
Mailings will be sent out this month to remind all households to file a tax return in order to be eligible for the payment. “To receive a payment in 2008, individuals who qualify will not have to do anything more than file a 2007 tax return. The IRS will determine eligibility, figure the amount and send the payment,” the notice states.