Published: October 05, 2008 02:25 am      

Stimulus payment deadline is Oct. 15

CHARLESTON — West Virginia State Tax Commissioner Christopher G. Morris has announced nearly 34,000 West Virginians have not filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

These individuals must file by Oct. 15, in order to receive their economic stimulus payment in 2008.

“The majority of citizens who have not filed with the IRS are our senior citizens,” Morris said. “If you have a parent, grandparent, or neighbor who you believe has not filed with the federal government, please encourage them to do so within the next two weeks or they will not receive the federal economic stimulus payment.”

According to the IRS, many Social Security recipients and veterans have not submitted their return. In a county by county breakdown, the number of West Virginians who risk losing their federal payment is as high as 3,897 people in Kanawha County.

“Daily household expenses have increased. These economic stimulus payments are available and can help offset the increase,” Morris said.

Those who are not normally required to file a federal income tax return, such as low-income workers, Social Security recipients, certain railroad retirees and those who receive certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs must file a return to receive the stimulus payment.

Normally, certain Social Security, Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans’ payments are not subject to income tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains a special provision allowing Social Security recipients and recipients of certain veterans’ benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits to count those benefits toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby qualify for the stimulus payment. Those who are dependents or eligible to be dependents on another’s tax return are not eligible. For more information read IRS publication FS-2008-16, Feb., 2008 at the IRS Web site listed below. These individuals must file a return to receive the stimulus payment.

For example, seniors whose sole income is Social Security would simply fill out the necessary biographical information and Social Security benefits they receive on form 1040A, write “Stimulus Payment” on the top, sign it and mail it to the IRS by Oct. 15.

Once received and processed, such filers would receive a minimum of $300 per individual or $600 per married couple.

Assistance in completing such returns is available at the IRS West Virginia Office located at 1206 Quarrier St. in Charleston, by phone at 1-800-829-1040 and online at www.irs.gov.