Coupon Clippers Club

[DeNovi]

Disability advocates and people with disabilities and their families
should know that people with disabilities may be eligible for the
check even if they don't owe any taxes for 2007.

You do not have to have any tax liability for the year to be eligible
for the stimulus check, but you DO HAVE TO FILE A TAX RETURN TO GET
THE CHECK.

For example, John Smith got $4,000 in Social Security Disability
benefits in 2007 and received a 1099-SSA. He is not legally required
to file a tax return and he doesn't have to pay taxes on the $4,000.
But if he files a return he will get an economic stimulus check.

1. How do people qualify for a stimulus tax rebate check?

Generally a person had to have more than $3,000 in income during 2007.
Even if a person does not have any earned income they can still
qualify for a stimulus tax rebate check if their Social Security
retirement and disability benefits, Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits,
and/or railroad retirement benefits equal at least $3,000 annually.

Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI) do NOT count as income,
but a person who gets both SSDI and SSI may still qualify if the SSDI
totaled more than $3,000 in 2007.

2. I get SSDI. How do I file for the check?

a) Fill out IRS Form 1040A. The Form 1040EZ doesn't have a place to
put Social Security, VA or retirement benefits, so it doesn't work as
well. You can get the form at a public library or your post office,
or print it from the IRS website, www.irs.gov.

b) WRITE `ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE' ACROSS THE TOP OF YOUR 1040A.

c) On Line 14 of Form 1040A put in how much SSDI you got for the year.

d) The IRS says you will get your check weeks and even months more
quickly if you have it deposited directly into your bank account. To
do that, fill out Lines 44b and 44d of the 1040A. (For a checking
account - the routing number is on the left side of your check and
your account number is on the right. For a savings account, call your
bank to get the routing number.)

3. I get both SSI and SSDI. How do I know how much I got of each?
If you get SSDI, you should have gotten a 1099-SSA form. Only your
SSDI will show on that form; not your SSI. So use that number for
Form 1040A, Line 14.

4. I've never filed a tax return before because I don't have to.
Does that matter?
No, it doesn't matter whether you've ever filed before. But you do
have to file this year if you want to get the economic stimulus check,
even if you don't owe any taxes.

5. How much money will I get?

In most cases, a single person will get a payment ranging from $300 to
$600. A couple will get a payment ranging from $600 to $1200.
Payments increase by $300 for families with dependent children under
the age of 17.


6. By what date does the 2007 tax return have to be filed and when
will the checks be received?

The IRS encourages filing a return if possible, by the regular April
15 deadline to get the rebate check in May 2008. Those filing later
than April 15, with or without a tax-filing extension, may delay
receipt of the stimulus check. Those who qualify for a stimulus check
will receive one by the end of 2008 if they file by October 15, 2008.
No rebate checks will be issued after 2008 ends.

Getting your stimulus money will be much, much faster if you fill out
Lines 44b and d of your 1040A. See Question 3, above.

7. Will the stimulus payment affect my eligibility for Food Stamps,
SSI or other needs-based benefits programs?

Receiving a payment under the stimulus package does not effect income
eligibility for or the amount of needs-based benefits programs (i.e.
Food Stamps or SSI). Specifically, the payment does not count as
income in the month it is received. However, it will count as a
resource (asset) 60 days after the month in which it was
received. So if you don't want it to count as a resource 60 days
later, spend it.

8. A person I am helping file a 1040A cannot sign her name. What do I
do?

The IRS says that a person can sign an "X" on the 1040 if it is
witnessed by two other people.

9. Is a person with a disability who is listed as a dependent on
someone else's tax return eligible for the stimulus check? No.

10. I already filed my tax return. I didn't know I could count SSDI,
so I didn't reach $3,000 in income. What do I do now?

Filed an amended return, Form 1040X, and follow the directions at
Question 3, above.

11. This is so confusing. Where can I get help?

You can get free help from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Call call
1-800-906-9887 to find the nearest site or go to the following website
for a list of places in Michigan where VITA helps:
http://www.michigan eic.org/Michigan VITA_sites_ Jan_29_2008. pdf .

UCP Michigan will be putting the list on its website also, so you can
find it there. If you are older than 60, AARP will help you also.
Call 1-800-227-7669 for the nearest site.