How to Get Your Economic Stimulus Check for 2008

What is the Economic Stimulus Package?
What's the Catch?
Am I Eligible?
What Kind of Income Qualifies for an Economic Stimulus Check?
What Do I Need To Do?
Where Do I List My Social Security, Railroad Retirement or VA Income on the Tax Forms?
What if I Have Already Filed?
What if I Have Already Filed But Did Not List My Unearned Income?
What if I Do Not Have a Form 1099 from Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, or the VA?
How Much Will I Get?
Can My Stimulus Payment Be Reduced?
Will the Check Affect My Other Benefits?
When Do I Need to File?
What if I Need Help Filing?
Other Helpful Resources

What is the Economic Stimulus Package?
The Economic Stimulus Package is a plan to help the economy. The IRS will send checks to over 130 million households beginning in May, 2008.

What's the Catch?
There is no catch. The IRS is sending one check to everyone who qualifies and files a 2007 tax return.

Am I Eligible?
You need a valid social security number and more than $3000 in qualifying income in 2007.

What Kind of Income Qualifies for an Economic Stimulus Check?
Earnings, pensions, Social Security, Railroad Retirement and VA benefits qualify towards the $3000 limit. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count toward the $3,000.

What Do I Need to Do?
You need to file a 1040 or 1040A tax return form.

*Note:If you are filing a tax return only to receive a check, use Form 1040A. Write the words "Stimulus Payment" above the title of the form.

Where do I list my Social Security, Railroad Retirement or VA income on the tax forms?
If you use form 1040A, list this income on Line 14a. If you use Form 1040, list this income on Line 20a. Use these lines even though the forms just mention Social Security.

What If I Have Already Filed?
Did you list more than $3000 in qualifying income on your tax return? You not need to do anything more to receive your check.

What If I Have Already Filed But Did Not List My Unearned Income?
File a Form 1040X. List your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or VA income that added up to more than $3000 in 2007.

What If I Do Not Have a Form 1099 from Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, or the VA?
If you do not have a Form 1099 you can estimate your 2007 income. Multiply your monthly income by the number of months you received the income in 2007. Your estimate should be entered on Line 20a of Form 1040 or Line 14a of Form 1040A.

How Much Will I Get?
A single person can get $300 to $600. Couples who file a joint return can qualify for $600 to $1200. You can get $300 more per child for dependent children under age 17.

Can My Stimulus Payment Be Reduced?
Yes. The IRS can reduce your payment to pay past federal or state income taxes or other federal debt such as student loans and child support.

Will the Check Affect My Other Benefits?
No. The check does not affect your eligibility for other benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income(SSI) or subsidized housing assistance. The check does not affect the amount of benefits you receive.

When Do I Need to File?
It's best to file by April 15th. Filing later will delay the check. You must file by the end of the year to get the check. No checks will be issued after 2008 ends.

What if I Need Help Filing?
Free help with tax returns is available. One source is the AARP's Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program, 1-888-227-7669 or visit the AARP Website.

You can also get free help filing your taxes from your local VITA site.

If you are denied the economic stimulus payment you may qualify for free legal help from Vermont Legal Aid.

The IRS also has Taxpayer Assistance Centers which offer free assistance. For the location nearest you, call 1-800-829-1040.

Other Helpful Resources
The AARP has developed a useful tool to help people who do not usually need to file taxes, but need to in order to qualify for the Economic Stimulus Payment. Click here to use this online tool.

The IRS provides Information About Economic Stimulus Payments for Social Security, Veterans and Other Beneficiaries. In this pamplet the IRS provides detailed line-by-line instructions or completing Form 1040A if you are filing a 2007 tax return solely to receive an economic stimulus check. There is a sample 1040A showing how to file for your check using pensions, Social Security, VA, or other unearned income.

You can also get IRS Tax Forms online or from your local IRS Tax Payer Assistance Center. You can find many tax forms at your local post office.

Vermont Law Help, 2008. This is a website about Vermont law. We give this information as a public service. It is not legal advice. We are not acting as your lawyer.
Always consult a lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.