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IRS Searching For Those Wanting Stimulus Check

By BILL RETTEW JR. Highlands Today

Published: July 19, 2008

SEBRING - The Internal Revenue Service wants to be your friend.

A pair of IRS representatives will visit Sebring on Tuesday to help residents apply for economic stimulus checks of $300 or $600 per person.

The IRS estimated that 1,669 Sebring, 679 Avon Park and 666 Lake Placid residents, who don't usually file a federal tax return, are eligible to receive stimulus checks.

IRS representatives are targeting mostly seniors on a fixed income, with Social Security and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.

"We hope everyone takes advantage of a free service to get some free money," said Mike Dobzinski, IRS spokesperson for Florida. "Since the IRS doesn't have an office in Sebring, this is a great opportunity to get tax returns."

Dobzinski said residents will be served on a first come, first served basis. The process with an IRS representative should take from five to 20 minutes to complete.

"People who do not usually file tax returns may be eligible for a stimulus payment of $300 for single filer and $600 for couples filing jointly, if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income in 2007," reads a July 8 IRS news release.

Qualifying can include any combination of earned income, including wages, tips, nontaxable combat pay and self-employment, Social Security retirement, disability and survivors benefits (but not SSI) Railroad Tier 1 benefits and disability and pension and survivor's benefits paid by the Veterans Administration.

The meeting will be Tuesday, at the Sebring Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center and office, at 227 U.S. 27 N., from 9 a.m. to noon, and bring proof of identification, which could be a driver's license or state ID.

Also bring proof of income, which could include: Forms 1099 from the Social Security or Railroad Retirement, or a monthly statement showing benefits; a monthly statement from the Veterans Administration; or forms W-2 showing earned income or nontaxable combat pay.

For those requesting direct deposit of their stimulus payment, and a speedier return, bring a bank account and routing numbers.

For information by phone, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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