Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

October 6, 2008

Stimulus refund deadline Oct. 15

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Time is running out for those who have not filed a stimulus payment return, according to information from Sue Hales of the Internal Revenue Service. The deadline to file a return to be eligible for a stimulus payment is Oct. 15.

According to Hales, 603 Social Security Administration/Veterans Affairs benefit recipients in Jefferson County have not yet filed a return; of that number, 448 benefit recipients have not filed. In Hamilton County, 126 benefit recipients have not filed a return, and of that number, 92 benefit recipients have not filed. More than 153,000 benefit recipients in the state have not filed a return.

Hales reminds recipients they are missing out on at least a $300 stimulus payment — $600 if they are married filing a joint return.

“Don’t miss out on the economic stimulus payment this year,” said Hales. “To get a payment in 2008, you must file your stimulus payment return by Oct. 15.”

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provided for stimulus payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) or the amount of the taxpayer’s 2007 net income tax liability, whichever is less. There also is a $300 payment for each qualifying child. People must file a tax return in order to receive an economic stimulus payment even if they normally are not required to file a return, Hales stated.

For those who have no tax liability and who have no requirement to file a tax return because their income is too low or nontaxable, there is a stimulus payment of up to $300 ($600 for married couples) plus the $300 payment for each qualifying child. However, Hales note that people in this situation must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income from any combination of earned income and nontaxable combat pay as well as certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement.

Hales says there is an informational package available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, to help SSA and VA benefit recipients prepare their stimulus payment returns. This package includes a Form 1040A, a sample tax form and instructions for sending the tax return to the IRS.

Each year, there are approximately 10 million taxpayers nationwide who request an extension from the April 15 deadline to file their tax return. The extension applies only to filing a return, not to paying any taxes owed. Oct. 15 is the final deadline for these extension taxpayers to avoid any penalties. They, too, may be eligible for the economic stimulus payment but must file a 2007 return by the deadline to receive the payment this year.

“By law, the IRS cannot issue economic stimulus payments after Dec. 31,” Hales said. “However, people who may be eligible for an economic stimulus payment can claim a credit in 2009 when they file their 2008 income tax return.”

As of Aug. 29, the IRS has issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to 114.8 million individuals and families.

If you have already filed a 2007 tax return but have not yet received an economic stimulus payment, you can check on the status of your payment by going to “Where’s My Economic Stimulus Payment?” on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.

You can check on the status of your stimulus payment by calling (866) 234-2942. You will need your Social Security Number, filing status and the number of exemptions claimed on the return.

Text Only
Local
  • Principal shares information about school

    MT. VERNON – City Schools District 80 Primary Center Principal Shannon Marler provided the District 80 Board of Education with an update on the school at the latest board meeting.

    February 11, 2012

  • Check Bluford students collect donation

    BLUFORD — There probably hasn’t been much loose change jingling in parents’ pockets who have children attending Bluford Grade and High Schools the last three weeks.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • CASA Men Cooking for CASA winners

    MT. VERNON — The first-ever Men Cooking for CASA fundraiser officially came  to a close Thursday afternoon.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brehm offering free computer classes

    MT. VERNON — C.E. Brehm Memorial Library is offering free computer classes through a grant funded by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

    February 10, 2012

  • Teachers receive grants

    MT. VERNON — Ten City Schools District 80 teachers recently received grants from the District 80 Foundation.

    February 10, 2012

  • Overdose immunity law to go into effect

    MT. VERNON — Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that will go into effect June 1, which will give immunity from prosecution to people who call 911 to report drug overdoses.

    February 10, 2012

  • Heart Night Second Women’s Heart Night held

    MT. VERNON — A sea of ladies dressed in red descended upon Cedarhurst Center for the Arts on Thursday for the second Women’s Heart Night.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Evening of Jazz at Cedarhurst Valentine weekend

    The 6th Annual Valentine Weekend Jazz Concert at Cedarhurst will be held Saturday, featuring the Loren Golden Ensemble.
    "This is the sixth year for the Evening of Jazz at Cedarhurst,” Sarah Sledge, Cedarhurst's Communications Director noted. "It's always a popular event when we pair jazz music with the Valentine theme."
    Golden, an attorney by profession, is a talented pianist who frequently performs with the Elgin Community College Jazz Ensemble, inormation states.  A pianist since the age of four, his love of the arts has inspired his continued involvement with music. Golden has enjoyed playing piano in variety shows, summer theatre, and clubs such as the Playboy Clubs in Chicago and Lake Geneva.

    February 9, 2012

  • District 80 receives recognition

    City Schools District 80 received a 3.8 out of a possible 4 points on its 2012 Financial Profile Designation from the Illinois State Board of Education.
    This is the second year in a row the district has received the “financial recognition” category from the state board; the district received the same score as 2011.

    February 9, 2012

  • WILLIAMS JCAAHC highlights citizens

    Karl Williams, the inbound manager at Walgreen’s Distribution, has worked there for 39 years, 20 of which has been in the King City.
    Debbie Kendrick-Hopgood followed in her grandmother’s and father’s footsteps as the head of Kendrick Paper Stock Company, and has worked there since 1980.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo