by Emily Canning-Dean
and Tim Troglen
Reporters
Tax season can be a confusing time for a lot of people, and this year's federal tax stimulus rebate could leave many people -- especially senior citizens who are not accustomed to filing taxes -- with questions.
But Eric Erickson, spokesperson for a local office of the Internal Revenue Service, said filing a tax return is the only step seniors need to take in order to get their rebate.
According to Linda Vopat, director of human services in Maple Heights, seniors who have earned at least $3,000 during 2007 are eligible for the stimulus rebate, which government will start mailing out in May. According to the IRS, seniors can receive $300 for individual filers and $600 if married and file a joint tax return.
Income can include Social Security benefits or other wages, but not Supplemental Security Income, which according to the IRS is "designed to help aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income."
Maple Heights senior Dave Lewis said he isn't sure what he will do with his rebate yet.
"I haven't really thought about it," he said. "I know the government wants you to spend it, so I'll probably spend it on something, but I think a lot of seniors will probably save it."
Bedford senior Art Dickard said he already knows where his rebate will go.
"I'm sure I'll be spending it on my 11 grandchildren," Dickard said. "We take them out to dinner sometimes and buy them things for school. The extra money will help with that."
Vopat said seniors who have not filed their taxes must fill out a 1040-A form. The words "stimulus payment" should be written on the top of the form, Vopat said.
Vopat said the form asks "very basic information."
Later this month, the IRS will send out information packets to recipients of Social Security benefits who did not file a tax return in 2007, giving information about the tax rebates and informing tax payers approximately how much they can expect to receive.
Editor's note: Reporter Jeff Saunders contributed to this story.
E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com
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