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Highlands Today

IRS Agents To Help With Stimulus Checks

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: July 22, 2008

SEBRING - Today is your best time to file a return for a federal government stimulus payment, or to find out why that $300 or $600 check hasn't arrived, said Mike Dobzinski, Internal Revenue Service spokesperson for Florida.

A pair of IRS agents will help residents file tax forms and answer questions at the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Maurita Cappelletti, 73, of Lake Placid, intends to ask IRS representatives why her husband got a stimulus check and she didn't, although they filed a tax return jointly.

"I've done so much calling (to the IRS)," said Cappelletti. "I can't explain to a machine that he got his and I didn't get mine. I'm frustrated that I can't through to a real person. I can't get any satisfaction."
Cappelletti was one of more than a dozen taxpayers who responded to an article in Saturday's Highlands Today and called the newspaper. Most callers said they filed a return, but had not yet received a response from the IRS or received a stimulus check.

"If you made a mistake, IRS representatives will be on hand to help you figure out what you did wrong," Dobzinski said on Monday. "There is a reason, but sometimes the taxpayer can't figure it out."

The IRS spokesperson said that while some taxpayers were "a little bit frustrated" and "can't figure it out," taxpayers still have until Oct. 15 to file an income tax return which is the only way to receive a stimulus check.

Dobzinski said that all filers who were not eligible, or made a clerical error, should be notified in writing from the IRS with a "very explicit notice."

"If for some reason they don't get this year's (stimulus check), then they'll get what they're entitled to, but have to wait until next year," said Dobzinski.

For those who can't attend the chamber today, the IRS agent also suggested calling 1-866-234-2942. Dobzinski told callers to be persistent. Callers on Mondays and Fridays will encounter more busy signals than at other times of the week.

For Internet users, the IRS spokesperson suggested contacting the IRS at www.irs.gov

The IRS has no office in Highlands County, but for those willing to travel, there are offices in Ft. Myers, Lakeland, Tampa and Sarasota, along with 14 other Florida cities.

Dobzinski said residents at the chamber will be served on a first come, first served basis. The process with an IRS representative should take from 5 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 is at the Sebring Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center and office, at 227 U.S. 27 N., from 9 a.m. to noon. 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.

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

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