The IRS is mailing special information packages regarding the Economic Stimulus Act to the 20.5 million recipients of Social Security or VA benefits who did not file a tax return in 2006. The 10-page package contains everything you will need to file a 2007 tax form. It has an informational notice, tips for completing Form 1040A, a sample Form 1040A and an actual Form 1040A for your use. The package is specially designed for people who may qualify for an economic stimulus payment but who normally aren’t required to file a tax return.
Under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, you may be eligible for a payment of $300 ($600 for couples) even if you do not normally file a tax return. There also is an additional payment of $300 for those with eligible children under 17. However, you must file an income tax return to receive the payment.
People who don’t normally need to file can use Free File – Economic Stimulus Payment, which is available at IRS.gov. Several Free File software providers are making their products available for the simplified filing of a tax return.
More information is available on various senior information websites. Here is one link:
http://www.seniorlegalhotline.org/10-tip.html.
The Ohio Pro-Seniors office also has a good Q&A on the subject at:
http://www.proseniors.org/PDFDocs/Consumer/ESP.pdf It includes hyperlinks toIRS.gov pages that give further details.