MADISON - Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin reminds Social Security beneficiaries who do not generally file a federal tax return that they may be eligible for a federal tax rebate check if they file a tax form for 2007. The payments of at least $300 for individuals or at least $600 for married couples filing a joint tax return are part of the recently passed economic stimulus package.
To qualify for a payment, your 2007 Social Security benefits combined with certain benefits paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs and/or other earned wages in that year must total at least $3,000. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count as qualifying income for the stimulus payment.
To receive the stimulus payment if you qualify, you must file a 2007 IRS Form 1040 (long form) or Form 1040A (short form) by the filing deadline of April 15, 2008.
This payment will not affect the amount of your Social Security benefits and you will not have to pay taxes on it next year. The IRS will begin mailing checks in early May.
If you need assistance filing a tax return, there is free help available at several sites around south central Wisconsin. For a complete list of those sites, visit www.tammybaldwin.house.gov or call Congresswoman Baldwin's office in Madison (608) 258-9800 or Beloit (608) 362-2800 for the site nearest you.
Baldwin warns seniors to beware of several current mail, e-mail, and telephone scams that use the IRS name and rebate checks as a lure. The goal of the scams is to trick people into revealing personal and financial information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, which the scammers can use to commit identity theft. Do not disclose this personal information on anything other than official IRS tax forms.
Baldwin asks all Wisconsinites that if you have neighbors, or family and friends in any part of the country who may qualify for this rebate, to make them aware of this opportunity and help them file by the deadline.
To qualify for a payment, your 2007 Social Security benefits combined with certain benefits paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs and/or other earned wages in that year must total at least $3,000. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count as qualifying income for the stimulus payment.
To receive the stimulus payment if you qualify, you must file a 2007 IRS Form 1040 (long form) or Form 1040A (short form) by the filing deadline of April 15, 2008.
This payment will not affect the amount of your Social Security benefits and you will not have to pay taxes on it next year. The IRS will begin mailing checks in early May.
If you need assistance filing a tax return, there is free help available at several sites around south central Wisconsin. For a complete list of those sites, visit www.tammybaldwin.house.gov or call Congresswoman Baldwin's office in Madison (608) 258-9800 or Beloit (608) 362-2800 for the site nearest you.
Baldwin warns seniors to beware of several current mail, e-mail, and telephone scams that use the IRS name and rebate checks as a lure. The goal of the scams is to trick people into revealing personal and financial information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, which the scammers can use to commit identity theft. Do not disclose this personal information on anything other than official IRS tax forms.
Baldwin asks all Wisconsinites that if you have neighbors, or family and friends in any part of the country who may qualify for this rebate, to make them aware of this opportunity and help them file by the deadline.
