Free Help Available for Certain Taxpayers, Retirees and Disabled Vets

On Saturday, April 12, the IRS will open nearly 300 Taxpayer Assistance Centers in an effort to reach out to those filing tax returns strictly for economic stimulus payments as well as those filing regular tax returns.  The Taxpayer Assistance Center located at 125 W. Romana Street in Pensacola will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  In addition, the IRS toll-free help line will be open for special hours that same day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.  The Taxpayer Assistance Center is regularly open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 

Information on economic stimulus payments

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 was signed into law by President Bush on February 13, 2008.

Most taxpayers can expect to receive a rebate of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing a joint return).

The rebate amount will begin phasing out for individual taxpayers with incomes over $75,000 ($150,000 for married couples filing jointly). For every $1,000 above that threshold, the rebate will be reduced by $50.

Many with no 2007 income tax liability but with incomes of at least $3,000 would receive rebates of $300 ($600 for a joint returns). This group includes low-income workers, Social Security recipients (including Social Security Disability), and those receiving veterans' disability payments, pensions, or survivors' benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In order to receive a rebate, a 2007 tax return must be filed, regardless of whether any tax liability is owed. This allows the IRS to process individuals' information and ensure that rebates are mailed to all eligible recipients.

The IRS will mail notifications of the stimulus payments, and is also working with the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that everyone is notified of their eligibility, including those that may have had no tax liability for 2007 but will still need to file a return.

All recipients must have a valid social security number to receive their rebate checks. In the case of joint filers, a valid social security number will still be required for both filers. Nonresident aliens are already ineligible to receive a rebate, and this provision further ensures that no illegal or undocumented aliens will be able to receive rebates.

The IRS is fully responsible for distribution of the rebate checks. No applications will have to filled out; the only action people will need to do is ensure their 2007 tax return is filed. For those filing later in the year, the delayed filing of their returns will in turn delay their receipt of the rebate checks. No checks will be mailed after December 31, 2008.

Rebates are expected to start going out in the mail in May of 2008. These rebates will have no effect on tax refunds for 2007.

For further updated information and details, please visit www.irs.gov.