The Blog

Juli Wilkerson, Director of Community, Trade and Economic Development Juli Wilkerson, Director of Community, Trade and Economic Development

08/15/08

According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 115,000 Washington families eligible for the federal Economic Stimulus Payment have not yet received a check, because they haven’t filed an income tax return. Too many Washingtonians are losing out on much needed financial help.

Without filing a tax return, these individuals or families will not receive the $300 or $600 they are entitled to. According to the IRS, approximately $35 million owed to Washingtonians will go un-paid, unless tax returns are completed.

Many people don’t file income tax returns, because they don’t believe they earned enough money to receive a refund. Anyone who received more than $3,000 in wages, Social Security payments, Social Security Disability payments or veterans’ benefits in 2007 is eligible for the payment. Receiving the economic stimulus check does not endanger eligibility for retirement, disability benefits, or other vital public benefits such as Medicaid, SSI or Food Stamps.

To get this special, one-time payment, you must file a tax return. Taxpayers have until October 15th, 2008 to file a simple tax return to receive an economic stimulus check from the federal government.

For more information on how to prepare your IRS form, go to the free AARP online tool, or visit the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Economic Stimulus Payments resource page.