Perhaps they aren't familiar with the government's economic stimulus rebate program, or maybe they don't normally file federal tax returns.
Whatever the reason, 411 Ford County residents who receive Social Security or disability payments have still not filed tax returns so they can claim economic stimulus checks, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That means they may be missing out on an extra $300 to $600.
Many people who depend solely on Social Security or disability payments are not required to file tax returns because their incomes are low. But if they don't file a return, they can't claim a stimulus check.
Recent IRS statistics show that about 74 percent of eligible senior citizens, disabled veterans and low-income workers nationwide have received their stimulus payments, leaving about 5.2 million people who have yet to claim their payments.
About 72 percent of Kansans who fall into those categories have received their checks, leaving more than 40,000 people who could still claim their rebates.
"These people probably are just not in the habit of filing a federal tax return anymore," IRS spokesman Michael T. Devine said in a phone interview Monday. "They may have been retired for a few years and they don't have to, and so they just don't think about it. Some of them may not have heard about this."
The IRS recently launched a campaign to reach seniors and disabled veterans who qualify for the rebates but have not taken the steps to claim them.
People can receive up to $600, or up to $1,200 for married couples filing joint returns, plus $300 for each child under 17. Those who are not required to file tax returns would receive at least $300, or $600 for married couples.
Most people who live on Social Security or disability would receive $300.
To claim the checks, people who do not otherwise have to file an income tax return should file Form 1040A with basic information including their name; address; dependents, if any; the amount of qualifying income, which must be at least $3,000; their direct deposit information; and signatures. The form is due by Oct. 15.
More information and the form are available at www.irs.gov.
Devine said IRS officials are spreading the word about how to claim the rebates. "We want to make sure that everybody knows about it, and if they want it, they know how to get it," he said. "And they can then stimulate the economy, because that was the intent of the law."
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
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