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Congress recently passed the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which President Bush signed on Feb. 13, 2008. If you normally file your income tax return, then there is nothing that you need to do, but for those that don’t normally file, especially our elders that receive social security payments, to be able to receive this payment of $600 they must file a 2007 Federal Income Tax Return. Most people will not know this, and If you know of anyone that would qualify, please pass this information to them. Below is information from IRS.gov.

Even if you aren’t normally required to file a federal income tax return, you must file one if you want to be among the 130 million individuals who will receive a check from Treasury beginning in May of this year. The IRS will use information on the 2007 tax return filed by the taxpayer to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payment.

In most cases, payments will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1200 for joint filers. Parents and anyone else eligible for a stimulus payment will also receive an additional $300 for each qualifying child (subject to income phase-outs).

“We want to make sure everyone who is eligible for these payments receives them,” says IRS Executive Julie Rushin. “Most eligible taxpayers do not need to take any extra steps to receive the payment. All they have to do is file a 2007 federal tax return and the IRS will automatically do the rest. No other action, extra form or call is necessary.”

You Must Have a Valid Social Security Number

Taxpayers must have a valid Social Security Number to qualify for the stimulus payment. If married filing jointly, both taxpayers must have a valid Social Security Number. Children must be eligible under the Child Tax Credit and must also have a valid Social Security Number to be eligible as qualifying children.

You Must File a 2007 Federal Income Tax Return, Even if You Normally Would Not

Low-income workers who had at least $3,000 in earned income (such as wages) and other qualifying income in 2007 but do not otherwise earn enough to be required to file a federal tax return need to file a return to qualify for the stimulus payment. Other qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, or certain veterans’ benefits.

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