Brook Stockberger

Jun. 23, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- To learn more about the IRS's efforts to reach retirees and disabled veterans who have yet to file for their economic stimulus payments, click here.

LAS CRUCES -- If you are a retiree or disabled veteran who has not filed a 2007 federal tax return, you could be missing out on some money.

The Internal Revenue Service reports that there still are 2,899 Dona Ana County residents -- including nearly 1,800 in Las Cruces -- who are eligible for a stimulus payment but have not filed a return this year.

"Some retirees and others who normally do not file a tax return may be eligible and not know it," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. "If you know of a retiree or a disabled veteran who might qualify, please pass along the information to them."

The IRS has identified 5.2 million retirees and veterans' beneficiaries nationwide who potentially are eligible for the stimulus payments. Later this summer, the agency will send them a special letter that explains stimulus payment eligibility and how to claim it. The letter will include a sample tax form and an actual tax

form that people can complete and mail to the IRS. This will be the second special mailing to reach those individuals.

Oct. 15 deadline

These individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 to receive their economic stimulus payments.

According to the IRS, the stimulus payment is not taxable. "Absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again," an IRS news release states.

James Turner, a veterans' service officer in Las Cruces, said he advises people who have questions to visit the IRS office at 505 S. Main St. in Las Cruces.

"I still have people who come in and ask if they are eligible," he said. "I want them to know that they can still get a check."

For all taxpayers, the IRS has issued 76.1 million payments worth $63.8 billion based on 2007 tax returns processed so far. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year's end.

Qualifying for payment

For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus the $300 for each qualifying child.

To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement.

If you or someone you know may qualify but has not filed a return, contact the IRS either online, or call the Las Cruces office at (575) 527-6903.

Las Cruces veteran Ben Martin, 76, said he has already received his stimulus check. He has a VA pension but also filed a return because he receives income from another retirement. He said the money has gone to help him complete some projects at home.

"I've been doing work on my house, my yard and lawn," he said. "I put it (the stimulus check) in the bank to replace what I spent."

Filing is simple

IRS spokesman Bill Brunson in Albuquerque said the process to file a tax return is fairly easy. If someone has put off filing because they fear it will be a long process, he said they might be pleasantly surprised.

"If they use the 1040A (form), at the entry section they have to write in their name, address and tax identification number," he said.

The filer then must simply report whether they claim just themselves or somebody else and report what Social Security, VA or railroad retirement benefits they receive.

"Then they must sign it, date it and return it," he said.

He said they should also write, across the top, the words "stimulus payment."

"I recommend they do that in red ink so it is easily seen," he said.

"If an individual has a question, they can go to the IRS.gov Web site," he said. "They can go online and see if they qualify."

No late fees but file soon

Brunson said since these people do not owe the government any taxes, they do not face late-filing fees. But no stimulus checks will be released after the end of the year.

"We don't want folks to wait until the last minute to file the 2007 return," said Brunson who said, once the IRS receives the return, it could take up to six weeks for the check to arrive, possibly sooner if the filer has direct deposit.

Las Cruces CPA Vivian Moore said some people who normally do not file might not want to bother.

"I've had some people tell me they don't want the $300. Imagine that," she said.

Brook Stockberger can be reached at bstockberger@lcsun-news.com

ONLINE EXTRA

To learn more about the effort of the IRS to reach retirees and disabled veterans who have yet to file for their economic stimulus payments, visit www.lcsun-news.com and click on this story

Who is qualified?

The IRS said recipients of certain benefits from Social Security and Veterans Affairs who do not normally have to file a tax return can still get an economic stimulus check. To be eligible, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and railroad retirement. These individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payments.

Source: IRS

Missing out

The IRS reports 5,820 people in New Mexico have not filed a 2007 tax return, which must be done in order to receive a one-time economic stimulus check.

In Dona Ana County there are 2,899 such people, 1,101 in Otero County and 847 in Luna County. Here is the breakdown for Dona Ana County:

Las Cruces 1,792

Anthony 258

Sunland Park 180

Mesilla Park 58

Santa Teresa 54

Mesilla 44

Hatch 43

Berino 25

Radium Springs 14

Elsewhere in the county 431

Source: IRS

IRS Information

Las Cruces office: 505 S. Main St.

Phone: (800) 829-1040

IRS help line: (800) 829-1040

Web site: www.irs.gov

Newstex ID: KRTB-0108-26160747