Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Politics

If you hear from IRS, relax, it's about the rebate

WASHINGTON - More than 130-million households will get letters from the IRS beginning next week, but don't be alarmed: The news is good.

The IRS is reminding people to file a 2007 tax return so they do not miss out, if they are eligible, for a tax rebate check under the recently passed $168-billion economic aid plan.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said his department and the IRS would work hard to get the word out. "For the majority of Americans, all they will need to do is file a tax return," Paulson said in a statement.

He said the IRS would work with the Veterans Affairs Department, the Social Security Administration and private groups such as AARP to "reach those who do not normally file a return and ensure they know how to get their stimulus payment this year."

The letters carry the headline "Economic Stimulus Payment Notice" and begin "Dear Taxpayer." They say the IRS is pleased to inform the recipient that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law a plan that will provide payments to more than 130-million households.

The checks are scheduled to go out starting in May. The mailing that people will get next week tells them they may qualify for a one-time payment of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for a married couple filing jointly; there are additional payments of $300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.

"The IRS will figure eligibility, figure the amount and send the payment," the letter says. "This payment should not be confused with any 2007 income tax refund that is owed to you by the federal government."

The IRS notices will go to people who filed a tax return last year. A separate mailing planned by the IRS for late March will go to certain recipients of Social Security and VA benefits. These benefits are generally nontaxable, and recipients do not file tax returns.

But to get a rebate, people in this group will need to file a tax return if they received at least $3,000 from a combination of certain Social Security benefits, veterans benefits and earned income. The minimum payment for this group will be $300 for an individual and $600 for a couple filing jointly.

Help on the Web

The IRS has created a sample Form 1040A with information on how to fill out the lines necessary to enable eligible people who do not normally file a tax return to receive the stimulus payment. Details on eligibility, payment amounts and requirements can be found at www.irs.gov.

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 01:27:36]