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Thousands fail to file for IRS rebates

By Helen Huntley, Times Personal Finance Editor
In print: Friday, June 20, 2008


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Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are in danger of missing out on $300 to $600 economic stimulus rebates. The IRS said Thursday that 405,968 retirees and disabled veterans in Florida — 5.2-million nationwide — are potentially eligible for the payments but haven't filed for them.

The numbers add up to 29 percent of those potentially eligible in Florida and 26 percent nationwide.

Most of those who did not file have not filed a tax return for at least the past three years and may not be aware that they need to file a return to get a stimulus check. Some may not be eligible because they are claimed as dependents on another person's return.

You can still get a check this year by filing Form 1040A by Oct. 15. To be eligible, you must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income, which includes wages, Social Security benefits (including disability benefits) and VA disability benefits.

Most people who qualify for the checks but who don't make enough to owe income taxes will receive the minimum stimulus payment of $300 for singles and $600 for married couples. Those who have children younger than 17 can get an additional $300 per child.

To find would-be recipients, the IRS is launching an outreach initiative in partnership with state and local governments and groups such as AARP, National Council on Aging, United Way of America and the National Disability Institute.

The IRS said it has issued 76.5-million rebates worth $63.8-billion.


The IRS' list of people who may be eligible for a tax rebate and never filed includes:

14,662 in Tampa

11,605 in St. Petersburg

4,817 in Clearwater

and 3,474 in New Port Richey

Source: IRS

To get your rebate

You must file Form 1040A by Oct. 15.
The form is available at www.irs.gov
or by calling toll-free 1-800-829-3676.

They haven't filed

The IRS' list of people who may be eligible
for a tax rebate and never filed includes, by city:

Tampa: 14,662 St. Petersburg: 11,605

Clearwater: 4,817 New Port Richey: 3,474

Source: IRS


[Last modified: Jun 20, 2008 04:27 PM]



Comments on this article
by barbara Jun 20, 2008 4:27 PM
i think it sucks that the irs can keep your rebate check if you owe some back taxes..how is that suppose to help the economy...its helping the governments wallets not ours...there's so much crime today because of stuff like this that happens to peopl
by Virginia Jun 20, 2008 4:14 PM
I am retired and made a $700 IRS refund late February. Have I received a rebate?? No!
by SARAH Jun 20, 2008 3:50 PM
I FILED FOR MY 2007 TAX AND CLAIMED MYSELF NOW ONLINE THEY ARE TELLING ME I DONT QUALIFY CAUSE SOME ONE ALREADY CLAIMED ME AND I KNOW ITS NOT SO HOW DO I KEEP FROM BEING RIPPED OFF BY THE IRS
by Cynthia Jun 20, 2008 12:04 PM
I got the letter saying my rebate check would be in the mail by May 23. I still don't have it on June 20. What's up with that?
by Pete Jun 20, 2008 12:04 PM
I didn't file as I feel the government needs this extra free money to pay off the debt. I can live without 300.00 free dollars if it will help lower what the Bush's have spent on another wasteful term.
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