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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Marion Berry (AR-01) urged Arkansans to claim their economic stimulus checks. Currently, more than 70,000 Arkansans have yet to claim more than $21 million in economic stimulus payments. Individuals can receive up to $600 per individual, $1,200 per married couple, and an additional $300 for each child. Seniors, Veterans and other taxpayers who do not ordinarily file are eligible for payments up to $300 or $600 for a joint return if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income. Individuals have until October 15, 2008 to file for their rebate check.
"With the cost of everything from gas to health care rising faster than wages, every dollar helps," said Berry. "We must ensure that hardworking families, seniors and veterans receive the payment that is intended for them."
While most Americans automatically received their rebate check as a result of having filed a 2007 Federal tax return, millions of low-income workers, Social Security beneficiaries, and disabled veterans and their widows who normally do not file a Federal return, must submit a Special Form 1040A to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to receive their checks.
Counties in the 1st District with the highest number of unclaimed payments:
Craighead County – 1,924
Baxter County – 1,454
Mississippi County – 1,265
Lonoke – 1,237
Crittenden – 1,132
Independence – 1,054
Congress enacted the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (H.R. 5140) in February. The package included $100 billion in direct financial relief for millions of Americans, including seniors, veterans, and low-income individuals.
A list of local IRS assistance centers is available at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html or individuals can call the toll-free Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942. Also, individuals with additional questions can call Congressman Berry's office at 1-800-866-2701.
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