Stimulus unclaimed by thousands in the region
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- September
- 26
When Congress passed a stimulus plan earlier this year, it was designed to put additional money in the bank accounts of average Americans at a time of economic uncertainty.
But the program of one-time stimulus payments has yet to benefit thousands of residents in the lower Hudson Valley. That’s because an estimated 16,810 retirees and disabled veterans in Westchester County, 5,662 in Rockland County and 1,260 in Putnam County have not yet filed for their stimulus payments with Uncle Sam, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
To get the stimulus check this year, people must file a tax return, even if they normally are not required to file one.
“Don’t let the economic stimulus payment pass you by,†said Kevin McKeon, a spokesman for the IRS. “If you want the payment this year, you should file by Oct. 15.â€
Nationally, the IRS said that it has accounted for nearly 80 percent of the Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries identified as potentially eligible for stimulus payments. But the tax agency added that it has yet to hear from about 346,000 New Yorkers who receive certain Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits, despite twice sending them letters about the unclaimed stimulus checks.
“We recognize that there may be older Americans and disabled veterans who still have not filed for their stimulus payment,†McKeon said. “If you know of a friend, neighbor or family members who may be in that situation, please give them a hand if they need it.â€
The stimulus payments can be up to $600 for eligible individual taxpayers (or $1,200 for married couples). There also is a $300 payment for each qualifying child.
Ntionally, the IRS has issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to 114.8 million individuals and families.
For additional information, call the IRS at 1-866-234-2942.
This entry was posted
on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 2:24 pm by Jay Loomis.
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