IRS to retirees and disabled vets: Don't lose out

The Internal Revenue Service said today that it is launching a campaign to reach retirees and disabled veterans who for economic stimulus payments under a new law but have not yet filed to claim them.

According to the IRS, only 74 percent of taxpayers who fall into those categories have taken the steps needed to qualify for receiving stimulus payments.

The flip-side of that statistic means that there are roughly 5.2 million potential recipients who may lose out if they don't take action, the IRS added.

In a press release, the IRS said: "In Massachusetts, 66 percent of the 443,000 potential retiree/disabled veterans’ filers are accounted for, leaving about 151,000 potential recipients who still need to file for their economic stimulus payments."

Of the top cities statewide with potential recipients who have not yet filed, Boston is number one with 16,015 potential remaining filers; Worcester is number two with 5,407 people in that category; Springfield is number three with 4,249 people, and Fall River is number four with 3,780, the IRS said.

The economic stimulus payments are a result of legislation that President Bush signed in February.

The centerpiece of government efforts to buck up a weak economy, the legislation was then projected to send rebates ranging from $300 to $1,200 to more than 130 million taxpayers.

To receive an economic stimulus payment, a person must file a tax return. In normal years, many retirees and disabled veterans are not required to do so.

The new IRS publicity campaign seeks to reach those people and let them know that they must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive the economic stimulus payments that they are entitled to.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)