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Tax returns are due by Oct. 15 for rebates
By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Sunday, Oct 05, 2008
If you're a senior citizen or disabled veteran — or know someone who qualified for this year's economic stimulus payment but hasn't filed a tax return to get it — the final deadline is approaching.
According to local figures from the Internal Revenue Service, there are nearly 19,000 Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries in the five-county region who might be eligible for the tax rebate but have not filed for it.
In Summit County alone, the number is 8,095.
There are an estimated 4.3 million retirees and disabled veterans nationwide and 165,000 in Ohio who have yet to file.
The deadline is Oct. 15 to get the check this year. By law, the IRS can't cut you a check after Dec. 31. If you miss the deadline, you can claim the credit next year on your taxes. Details are still being worked out on how that will work, an IRS official said.
IRS officials said they determined the potentially eligible people by working with the Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs officials. Eligible people should have received two packets from the IRS — one early this year and one this summer. But you can still get forms online at http://www.irs.gov or get a friend or relative to help you get the forms online.
To review, people must file a tax return to receive the economic stimulus payment, even if they normally don't file a return. You must have at least $3,000 in income in 2007 to qualify for the rebate. Social Security benefits and certain benefits from Veterans Affairs and railroad retirement benefits do qualify, but Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not.
Qualifying Social Security income includes retirement, disability and survivor benefits. Qualifying Veterans Affairs income includes disability compensation, disability pension and survivor benefits. Qualifying Railroad Retirement benefits include what is called the Social Security equivalent portion of Tier 1 benefits.
The majority of people received the tax rebates this summer — either by check or by direct deposit into a bank account (direct deposit is the fastest way to get your rebate, so make sure to include your bank account number and routing information on the tax return in the appropriate place.) But there were many who ran into delays getting their rebates.
The best advice if you're still having issues with your tax rebate is to go to a local IRS office. These offices do not require appointments and do not take questions by phone.
There's also the option of calling a toll-free number, 800-829-1040, but readers who have had problems have said they weren't able to talk to an individual when they called the number and had quick and easy resolutions when they went into the offices.
The local offices are:
• Akron: 2 S. Main St. in the John F. Seiberling Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse at Main and Market streets downtown. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Canton: 201 Cleveland Ave. S.W. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m.
Common problems
The IRS has come up with common errors that have delayed stimulus checks. I'll also add a few that I've noticed from the calls I've received this year. They have been confirmed by my IRS contact, but didn't make the national list.
• Filing too many tax returns. It takes up to 12 weeks for the IRS to process paper returns and issue the stimulus payments. But some people are filing more than one tax return in an effort to receive the rebate, which could further delay it.
• Not listing qualifying income. People must list their annual amount of qualifying income to be eligible for the minimum payment of $300 for individuals and $600 for married couples. Some people are erroneously putting in their monthly income, so it appears they don't qualify for the rebate.
The maximum amount of rebates allows $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples, or an amount equal to a taxpayer's tax liability. That means if your tax liability was only $500, you would receive only $500 in a rebate check.
• Putting the income amount in the wrong spot. If you are eligible with your Social Security benefits, look at box 5 on your Form SSA-1099 that you received from the Social Security Administration. Then put that in box 14a on the 1040A, the spot for ''Social Security benefits,'' not 14b. Or if you're using the 1040 form, put your income in box 20a, not 20b.
Also, write ''Economic Stimulus'' on the top of your return and put in the direct deposit under the ''refund'' to get a quicker rebate.
• Not using the most current address. If you've moved after you've filed your return, you should complete Form 8822 and a change of address card with the U.S. Postal Service. You can get the IRS forms at http://www.irs.gov. (The IRS Web site also has lots of information about the rebates, including step-by-step instructions.)
If the U.S. Postal Service is unable to deliver the payment, it will be returned to the IRS.
• Filing an amended return. Generally, people cannot file an amended return solely to get an economic stimulus payment unless they are retirees or veterans or have other ''qualifying income.'' While amended returns will be processed to correct the income, deductions and income tax as appropriate, the economic stimulus payment will not be adjusted based on an amended return.
• Being claimed on two returns. Without their knowledge, some senior citizens have been claimed as dependents on the tax returns of their adult children. If that happens, you will not be able to get your own rebate check.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
If you're a senior citizen or disabled veteran — or know someone who qualified for this year's economic stimulus payment but hasn't filed a tax return to get it — the final deadline is approaching.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 10:00 AM, 10/05/2008
Hey eeyone please take the time & ask if somebody you know rec'd a check yet. Make sure they understand what you are talking about.
Orrville, Oh
Posted 01:43 PM, 10/05/2008
Elite keno losers, low-income workers, volunteers without wages, donors supporting nonprofit, tax exempt organizations and Churches, tax abated businesses, and nonunion parasites willing to work for fewer wages than they can afford life, are qualified for stimulus taxpayer support. With money derived from wages and independent business profit.
Reality demands Fathers disqualified for affirmative action with white skin, Union workers, consumers, taxpayers, and America’s grandchildren, low income workers, volunteers without wages, and nonunion parasites willing to work for fewer wages than they can afford life. Fund all stimulus packages. With money derived from wages or independent business profit!
