Retirees missing out on tax benefits

David Bauerlein

No return, no rebate

The Internal Revenue Service says 5.2 million retirees and disabled veterans nationwide haven't filed returns that would get them tax rebates this year.

Here are the potential recipients in some Northeast Florida cities.

Jacksonville: 15,878

St. Augustine: 2,269

Palm Coast: 1,417

Orange Park: 1,308

Palatka: 801

Middleburg: 676

Fernandina Beach: 621

Jacksonville Beach: 518

Green Cove Springs: 460

Macclenny: 444

Atlantic Beach: 391

Ponte Vedra Beach: 366

Keystone Heights: 333

Callahan: 275

Yulee: 273 Source: IRS

Click-2-Listen Listen to this article or download audio file.

Almost 26,000 people in Northeast Florida still haven't filed simple tax returns that will entitle them to rebates of at least $300 for single people and at least $600 for married couples.

The Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday it will keep trying this summer to reach those retirees and disabled veterans as part of a national campaign.

"Our goal is to make sure the people who are eligible know about it," said Gloria Sutton, spokeswoman for the IRS office in Jacksonville. "Whether they take advantage of it is up to the individual. We hope they do."

The IRS message is targeted at people who usually don't file tax returns because they owe no income taxes. To get rebate checks, they must file returns before Oct. 15.

Nationwide, 74 percent of those people have filed returns, but in Florida, the rate is lower at 71 percent. Florida accounts for about 406,000 of the 5.2 million people who could be getting money from Uncle Sam by filing returns.

Among cities nationwide, Jacksonville has the 22nd highest number of people who appear eligible for a rebate but haven't filed for it, according to the IRS.

People who usually aren't required to file should use Form 1040A. To be eligible, they must show at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Social Security benefits for retirement, disability and survivor payments are qualifying income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not qualifying income.

Veterans Affairs benefits can be tallied as qualifying income if it is for disability compensation, disability pension and survivor payments. Railroad Retirement payments are qualifying income when they include the Social Security equivalent portion of Tier 1 benefits, according to the IRS.

The IRS office in downtown Jacksonville, 400 W. Bay St., will assist people in filing the returns. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To get Form 1040A from the Internet, go to www.irs.gov and click on "More forms and publications."

The IRS will send letters this summer to retirees and veterans beneficiaries who haven't filed, reminding them of the deadline and giving instruction on how to fill out the form.

david.bauerlein@jacksonville. com, (904) 359-4581