By Matt Hagengruber

Mar. 27, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Even if you don't make enough money to file income taxes, you could still get a $300 rebate check from the government this summer.

That's the message that Grace Bowman and other advocates want senior citizens to hear as the dreaded April 15 tax deadline creeps up right on schedule.

Bowman is the communications coordinator for the AARP in Billings, and she was one of many volunteers Wednesday at the South Park Senior Center who answered questions about this year's economic stimulus package and the promised rebates.

"When (seniors) get to the point where they're living on Social Security income, there's no point in them filing a tax return," she said. "So this year, to take advantage of the stimulus package, they need help. There's no penalty. We want to help these people apply for it."

To qualify for a rebate, you must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income, which includes wages, Social Security payments and some veterans and railroad benefits. You must have a valid Social Security number and cannot be claimed as a dependent by anyone else.

The minimum rebate check is $300 for one person or $600 for a married couple. Depending on income, some will receive $600 per person or $1,200 for a couple.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., one of the principal authors of the stimulus package, attended the event and emphasized that seniors should take advantage of the program. Standing in front of a campaign-style backdrop, he said an earlier stimulus package pushed by President Bush left out most seniors, but his efforts changed the legislation to include low-income and middle-income Americans.

Mary Baker, a Baucus staffer on her first trip to Montana, said seniors who haven't filed tax returns in the past few years won't receive extra scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service if they file this year.

"You've paid plenty of taxes in your working life, so you should be included in this package," she said.

George and Beverly Latta receive Social Security benefits and came to the event because the differing rebate amounts confuse them.

"What I really couldn't get through my head was the difference between the $300 and the $600 payment," George Latta said. "We're retired and don't have enough income, so we wouldn't have had to file. But we will."

Taxpayers aren't responsible for figuring out how much they're owed, IRS officials said. Filing a return should be enough for the government to figure it out from there. IRS officials were at the event and helped seniors with their taxes afterward.

Volunteers and staff from the Human Resources Development Council will offer free tax help from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays until April 11. From April 7 to 11, the HRDC will also take appointments for tax preparation. Call 247-4710 for more information.

IRS tax specialist Sharon Eckberg said her office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 12 to help people with their taxes. The office is at 2900 Fourth Ave. N., Room 200.



Newstex ID: KRTB-0032-24076749