No Action Required for Stimulus Payment: IRS

February 15, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Internal Revenue Service says that, in most cases, you won't have to do anything extra this year to get the "economic stimulus" payments.

The IRS will use information on the 2007 tax return filed by the taxpayer to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payments.    “If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return and the IRS will do the rest,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff.  

However, “beginning” in May is the thing to keep in mind at present.   The IRS says it will begin sending taxpayers their payments in early May after the current tax season concludes. Payments to more than 130 million taxpayers will “…continue over several weeks during the spring and summer,” according to the IRS. A payment schedule for taxpayers will be announced in the near future.

Direct Deposits

Those stimulus payments will be direct deposited for taxpayers selecting that option when filing their 2007 tax returns.   Most taxpayers just need to file a 2007 tax return as usual. “No other action, extra form or call is necessary,” according to a  press release .   The IRS says that, in most cases, the payment will equal the amount of tax liability on the tax return, with a maximum amount of $600 for individuals ($1,200 for taxpayers who file a joint return), though the law also allows for payments for select taxpayers who have no tax liability, such as low-income workers or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. These taxpayers will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.

Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans’ benefits and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. While these people may not be normally required to file a tax return because they do not meet the filing requirement, the IRS emphasizes they must file a 2007 return in order to receive a payment.

Recipients of Social Security, certain Railroad Retirement and certain veterans' benefits should report their 2007 benefits on Line 14a of Form 1040A or Line 20a of Form 1040. Taxpayers who already have filed but failed to report these benefits can file an amended return by using Form 1040X. The IRS says it is working with the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that recipients are aware of this issue.

Eligible taxpayers who qualify for a payment will receive an additional $300 for each child who qualifies for the child tax credit.

Payments to higher income taxpayers will be reduced by 5% of the amount of adjusted gross income above $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for those filing jointly.

Social Security Numbers Required

Note also that taxpayers must have valid Social Security Numbers to qualify for the stimulus payment. If married filing jointly, both taxpayers must have a valid Social Security Number. And, children must have valid Social Security Numbers to be eligible as qualifying children.   Taxpayers who file their tax returns using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS or any number issued by the IRS are ineligible. Also ineligible are individuals who can be claimed as dependents on someone else's return, or taxpayers who file Form 1040-NR, 1040-PR or 1040-SS.

The IRS says it will mail two informational notices to taxpayers advising them of the stimulus payments. However, taxpayers should be alert for tax rebate scams such as telephone calls or e-mails claiming to be from the IRS and asking for sensitive financial information (see  IRS Refund E-mail Another Phishing Expedition ). The IRS reminds us that it will not call or e-mail taxpayers about these payments nor will it ask for financial information.

Scam e-mails and information about scam calls should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov .

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