In early February, the U.S. Congress approved an economic stimulus package, which passed both the House and Senate by wide margins and was signed by President Bush.  This package includes a tax rebate check for low-income individuals, including retirees on Social Security and disabled veterans who pay no income taxes.  This relief could not have come a moment too soon for millions of hardworking American families and small businesses as well as those restricted to a fixed source of income.

Many senior citizens who have not filed income taxes have contacted Congressman Lungren's Washington office and Gold River district office about how to receive their rebate check.  In order to qualify for a tax rebate, you must file a tax form for 2007.  If you have filed income taxes on more than $3,000.00 in income for 2007, no extra steps are needed.  However, if you have not filed a tax form, here are the necessary steps and some helpful sources of information for you.

• Write the words "Stimulus Payment" across the top of a 1040A form.
• Fill out the label section with your name, address, and Social Security number.
• Just below the label section, check the appropriate box for filing status (single, married, etc).
• In box 14a, fill out your actual or estimated Social Security income for 2007.
• If you want your rebate check to be a direct deposit, fill out lines 44 b, c, and d.
• Sign the return and mail to:

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Fresno, CA  93888-0015

A 1040A form is available online here.  The IRS strongly recommends that seniors file no later than April 15, 2008; however, the final deadline for filing is October 15, 2008.  Additional information regarding your stimulus check may be obtained through the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov, or by contacting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at 1-800-906-9887.  The American Association of Retired Persons has also established a toll-free hotline at 1-888-227-7669.

For additional concerns about this or any other federal matter, please do not hesitate to contact Congressman Lungren's district office in Gold River at (916) 859-9906 for further assistance.