Economic Stimulus Payments

If you need information relevant to Economic Stimulus Payments for elders and people living with disabilities of modest means - visit http://www.mymedicarecommunity.org/, an online community for professionals who work with Medicare beneficiaries.

Elderbar participants are welcome to check out the resources and links to relevant IRS materials on the News page too - http://www.mymedicarecommunity.org/showthread.php?t=2700.

One of the most commonly asked questions by clients is whether SSI counts towards the minimum of $3,000 in income during 2007 to qualify for an Economic Stimulus Payment. The answer is that it does not.

As might be expected, people are pretty scared and confused about this
opportunity to get money from the IRS! The Tax Aide and VITA people are asking community organizations who reach out to elders and people living with disabilities of modest means if they can help clients with simple 1040A tax returns. A simple return means one filed by people whose only income in 2007 was Social Security or Railroad Retirement.

There are seven simple steps to completing the 1040A for this population:

1. Write Economic Stimulus across the top of the form.
2. Write the person's name and address on the lines at the top of the form.
3. Be sure to include the person's Social Security number on the line at the top of the form. No other type of tax ID will be accepted.
4. Put 2007 gross SS, RR, or VA Tier I income on Line 14a of the 1040A.
5. Make sure the person signs and dates the 1040A at the bottom of the back of the form. (We've been told that helpers do not need to sign unless they are paid to prepare the return.)
6. Advise people to save a copy of the completed 1040A for their records.
7. Mail the completed 1040A to the appropriate IRS Center. You can find the correct address on the IRS Web site, in IRS materials and also provided this info in www.MyMedicareCommunity.org.



Hilary Dalin
My Medicare Matters
National Council on Aging
hilary.dalin@ncoa.org
stimuluspayment@ncoa.org