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Daily Tribune
February 21, 2008 |
Charles Crumm
Staff Writer |
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Levin educates seniors on federal rebates
Many who have not filed tax returns can still claim cash |
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OAK PARK - Now that Congress has passed an economic stimulus program that includes rebates for seniors and the disabled, the efforts are shifting to make sure they file the forms necessary to receive the cash rebate.
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The rebate is a minimum of $300 as long as a person has income of at least $3,000, including Social Security or disability payments.
But many low income people haven't had to file a federal tax form in years, a condition this year to receive the rebate.
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, is making the rounds to seniors complexes to explain why they need to file tax returns to get the rebates.
"This isn't charity," Levin said Wednesday at the Anna & Meyer Prentis Jewish Apartments. "This is going to citizens who have paid Social Security and other taxes for a lot of years.
"This is going to differ for some people which is why we're outreaching," Levin said.
The stimulus package provides rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples who owe income tax in 2008. The rebates are phased out for individuals making $75,000 or more and couples earning $150,000 or more.
Those who don't owe income taxes but receive at least $3,000 in earned income, Social Security benefits or veterans disability pay are eligible for the minimum rebate of $300.
"There are tens of millions who do not file a 1040 or 1040A who have to file a form," Levin said.
Levin has compiled a list of free tax assistance sites in his congressional district, which covers communities in Oakland and Macomb counties.
Oakland County communities represented by Levin include Southfield, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Huntington Woods and part of Royal Oak.
In Oakland County, tax assistance sites are at:
- The Ferndale Senior Center, 1201 Livernois, Ferndale. (248) 544-6767.
- The Madison Heights Senior Center, 29448 John R. (248) 545-3464.
- The Southfield Department of Human Services, 26080 Berg Road. (248) 796-4540.
- The Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen. (248) 796-4200.
The Southfield Senior Adult Center, 24350 Civic Center Drive. (248) 796-4654.
Also offering assistance with the forms for the rebates is the Accounting Aid Society in Detroit, which operates tax assistance centers for low and moderate income people and families in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties.
"It can be confusing," said Marshall Hunt of the Accounting Aid Society. "Many people receiving nontaxable Social Security normally wouldn't have to file a federal tax return. To get the rebate coming out, they need to file a federal tax return."
The rebate checks will start going out in May and the IRS will continue to issue them until the end of December.
"People should file their federal forms by April 15 to get the checks at the earliest possible time," Hunt said.
Tax sites in Oakland County through the aid society include:
- Lighthouse Community Development, 46156 Woodward Ave., Pontiac, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 12.
- Oakland-Livingston Human Services Agency, 196 Cesar Chavez Ave., Pontiac, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays until April 12 and on Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. until Feb. 27.
- Consumers Energy, 1030 Featherstone, Pontiac, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays until April 5.
- Consumers Energy, 4600 Coolidge at 14 Mile, Royal Oak, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays until April 5.
- Southfield Department of Human Services, 26080 Berg at Civic Center Drive, Southfield, for Southfield residents only, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays until April 9. For an appointment, call (248) 796-4540.
The economic stimulus rebates, however, didn't impress everyone.
"I think the whole thing is ridiculous," one senior told Levin. "There are other ways to stimulate the economy."
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