Nearly 4,000 in county still need to file for tax rebate

Some 3,680 retirees and disabled veterans in Yuma County are still eligible to file for economic stimulus payments, according to the Internal Revenue Service. And, 2,799 of them are in Yuma alone.

But there's still time to file and it's fairly easy to do.

"The IRS wants to let Yuma residents know that they still have time to file a 2007 tax return in order to receive the stimulus payment and that these payments are still going out," said Bill Brunson, IRS spokesman.

These individuals either do not have a filing requirement, their income is not subject to taxes or they're below the threshold to file, said Brunson. The amount they receive will depend on their income and their tax liabilities, he said.

"Generally, retirees or those who receive social security or nontaxable Veteran Affairs benefits, will get back $300 or $600 if they file jointly," said Brunson.

To receive the economic stimulus payment, those eligible must file a 2007 tax return. Individuals also must have a valid Social Security number and have earned at least $3,000 in income, according to an American Association for Retired People of Arizona news release.

They must indicate their income on the designated lines - 14A of the form 1040A and 20A of the form 1040 - said Brunson. Their income sources will most likely be social security, nontaxable veteran's benefits or tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, he said.

Although there's time, those eligible should file soon.

"The tax law does not allow the IRS to issue a stimulus payment after Dec. 31," said Brunson. "So, for those individuals without a filing requirement, they need to file to get the payment before year's end."

Although there were more than 3,500 still eligible in Yuma County, there were a total of 116,860 in the state of Arizona, according to the IRS.

For more information, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or log on to the Web site at www.irs.gov. The site includes an area to tell you if you qualify for the stimulus payment, as well as a payment amount and an area to let you know when you would potentially receive the payment, said Brunson.

The IRS also has a local office, 2285 S. 4th Ave., that offers assistance to those still needing to file, he said. It's open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The AARP also has online tools at www.aarp.org/taxaide.

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Maddy Otto can be reached at 539-6861 or motto@yumasun.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Yuma County had a total of 3,680 retirees and disabled veterans still eligible to file for economic stimulus payments as of June 19. Here is a breakdown by city:
• Dateland - 42
• Gadsden - 24
• Roll - 11
• San Luis - 421
• Somerton - 251
• Tacna - 30
• Wellton - 102
• Yuma - 2,799 (No. 6 in the state)
Source: Internal Revenue Service