Seniors must file tax return to receive check

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers met with senior citizens in the Third District today to help them get checks they may be entitled to as part of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (H.R. 5140), approved in February by Congress and President Bush. Mr. Ehlers spoke with seniors in Grandville, Ionia and Hastings.

“Senior citizens and others who normally would not need to file a tax return for 2007 must do so in order to get a stimulus check if they are eligible,” said Congressman Ehlers. “If you made more than $3,000 in 2007 through Social Security or disabled veteran’s benefits but made little or no taxable income, you may be entitled to a $300 dollar check,” Ehlers told seniors. 

People who have already filed or plan to file a federal tax return do not need to take any further steps to receive a stimulus check.

Recipients of Social Security and disabled veteran’s benefits, or certain other benefits must fill out and submit Internal Revenue Service Form 1040A, which is included in this packet of material (.PDF) that the IRS is mailing to recipients in the coming weeks. Beneficiaries have until October 15, 2008 to file, but Congressman Ehlers is urging them to file as soon as they can. The IRS will start sending the stimulus checks in May.

Congressman Ehlers also warned people of scams and fraud associated with the stimulus checks. “There have been a number of scammers trying to trick people into giving them their personal information,” Ehlers said. “The IRS will never ask for your bank account information or Social Security number over the phone, and it will never send unsolicited E-mails seeking sensitive personal information.”

For more information on the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, please see Congressman Ehlers’ guide to the stimulus plan or the Internal Revenue Service’s Web site at IRS.gov.