BRIEF: City residents urged to file taxes for stimulus rebates: Md. representatives ask those at W. Baltimore event to spread word

By Liz F. Kay

Mar. 18, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Members of Maryland's congressional delegation joined representatives from the Internal Revenue Service and the Baltimore CASH campaign in West Baltimore today to encourage people who don't usually file their taxes to submit paperwork this year to get their tax rebate.

The IRS will begin distributing rebates of up to $1,200 in May as part of an economic stimulus package.

About 2.5 million Maryland families who earn more than $3,000 are eligible, including retirees receiving Social Security benefits and disabled veterans -- but only if they submit a tax return. "One of our greatest fears is that in our community, a lot of people won't take advantage of it," said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings.

He was joined by Sen. and fellow Congressmen C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes, who implored people to help spread the word to those who were not in the room at the Western Community Action Center on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Ruppersberger asked the audience to raise their right hand and recite, "I will be messengers and send the message out to my community and my church and my families."

liz.kay@baltsun.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0034-23870205