Aug 20, 2008 2 min read

The Internal Revenue Service estimates that as many as 8,000 people in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties remain eligible for economic stimulus payments from $300 to $600. So far, the IRS has accounted for about 75 percent of the estimated 20 million Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries identified as being potential stimulus recipients. All but 5.2 million of those have either filed a return, filed a joint return or were not eligible for a stimulus payment, for example if they were claimed as a dependent on another’s return.

The agency also reminded people that it has more than 400 taxpayer assistance centers operating normal business hours Monday through Friday. The centers can provide assistance to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments.

The nearest IRS office to Fayette County is at 162 W. Chestnut St., Washington.

The telephone is 724-229-5985. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 provided for payments of as much as $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples filing jointly for taxpayers who normally file a tax return and have a tax liability. It provided that stimulus recipients could receive another $300 for each eligible child younger than 17.

The act also created a special category for people who had certain types of income but may not file a tax return because their income is too low or their income is nontaxable.

The IRS estimates that the number of people who may be eligible in Fayette County is 3,159; Greene County, 882, and Washington County, 4,366.

People in this category must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income to be eligible for the minimum amount of $300 ($600 married filing jointly). Qualifying income is the total of Social Security, Veterans Affairs and/or Railroad Retirement benefits plus earned income, including nontaxable combat pay People receiving only Supplemental Security Income are not eligible. Eligible people must have a Social Security number unless their spouse is a member of the military and be neither a dependent nor eligible to be a dependent on another’s tax return.

Receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received.

For more information, call the IRS office in Washington or visit the Web site at www.IRS.gov

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