Neil's Notebook Oct. 15 deadline for thousands of retirees and disabled vets who may be eligible for tax rebates
October 7, 2008
Rep. Neil Abercrombie supported legislation that led to the distribution of tax rebates, or Economic Stimulus Payments (ESP), this year. In a statement earlier this year, Abercrombie noted how the rebates would help Hawaii's working families and small businesses. He also stressed that the legislation contained provisions that help local families avoid foreclosure-- provisions which are " very important to Hawaii" with its soaring housing costs.
October 15, 2008 is the final day for filing a 2008 tax return to qualify for an Economic Stimulus Payment. By law, IRS cannot issue an ESP check after December 31, 2008. More information is available on the ESP home page.
Statistics show almost 20,000 Hawaii residents with social security or veteran's benefits who have not yet filed a tax return. All these individuals need to do is to file a simple tax return showing they qualify for the ESP and IRS will send them a check.
*********** The following is a news release provided by the IRS:
HELP STILL AVAILABLE-Don’t let ESP pass you by!
SEATTLE--The Internal Revenue Service is planning a final economic stimulus payment (ESP) event this year to reach those who qualify for the ESP, but have not filed a Federal tax return. The latest statistics indicate a potential of 19,930 retirees and disabled veterans in Hawaii may be eligible but have not yet filed their Federal income tax return.
A special stimulus category includes recipients of certain benefits from Social Security and Veterans Affairs who do not normally have a requirement to file a tax return. However, these individuals must file the 2007 tax return by Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payment this year.
People who have no tax filing requirement may still be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 for married couples) if they have at least $3,000 in qualifying income and file a 2007 “Economic Stimulus Payment” Federal income tax return.
Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income from wages, salaries, tips or net earnings from self-employment that are includible in table income; certain retirement, disability or survivor’s benefits from Social Security; disability pension or survivors’ benefits from Department of Veterans Affairs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not qualifying income and is not included in the amount reported in Box 5 of Form SSA-1099. The IRS and AARP Tax-Aide can help people with their economic stimulus payment filing needs.
ESP Event October 14th and 15th
Waipahu Community Association (Old Big Way) 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. 94-340 Waipahu Depot Road (Go to the Waipahu Festival Market) Waipahu, HI 96797
ESP Help
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Honolulu, Wailuku, and Hilo during normal business hours.
Call for information about free tax preparation assistance at
