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Economic Stimulus Payments

Starting in May 2008, more than 130 million households will receive an economic stimulus payment from the Internal Revenue Service. Most people don't need to do anything special to get a payment; they can just file their taxes as usual and the IRS will do the rest. 

But millions of people who are usually exempt from filing tax returns - including low-income retirees, disabled veterans, and low-wage earners - must file a return in order to receive their payment.

The National Women's Law Center hosted a webinar on the economic stimulus payments, which shared information on:

• Who's eligible for the payments
• How much the payments can be worth
• What individuals and families need to do to apply for the payments
• When individuals and families will receive the payments
• Tools that can help organizations educate the public

You can watch a recording of the webinar, or download the slides presented.

In addition, the following resources discussed during the webinar are available for download:

Useful websites:

• IRS Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center
  • Economic Stimulus Payment calculator
• AARP Advisory About Economic Stimulus Payments
• My Medicare Community: Economic Stimulus Payments
• National Community Tax Coalition
• Real Economic Impact Tour: 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment

Useful materials:

• Outreach fliers:

  • Did You Hear About the Tax Rebates?
  • Did You Receive Disability Compensation, Pension or Survivors' Benefits From the Department of Veterans Affairs Last Year?
  • Did You Receive Social Security Benefits Last Year?
  • Did You Receive Railroad Retirement Benefits Last Year?
  • Are You a Low Income Worker Who Isn't Required to File a Tax Return?
• Sample 1040A for stimulus payments only
• IRS article on scams
• Pro Seniors: Economic Stimulus Payments for Social Security Recipients
• National Council on Aging fact sheet for advocates

Referrals for tax preparation assistance:

• The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program, which includes AARP's Tax Aide counseling program, provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. To find an AARP Tax Aide site call 1-888-227-7669 or go to their website.

• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides help to low- and moderate-income taxpayers. Call 1-800-906-9887 for more information.

• Individuals and families can visit one of the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC). To find the TAC nearest you, call 1-800-829-1040 or go to their website.

• Individuals and families earning less than $54,000 can file electronically using Free File. Get more information.

• Individuals can also call the IRS' Economic Stimulus Payments hotline at 1-866-234-2942.

To connect up with local coalitions and outreach efforts:

• List of IRS Territory Managers
• National EITC Outreach Partnership directory of coalitions
• National Community Tax Coalition link to affiliated VITA sites

Check out these IRS video clips explaining the Economic Stimulus Payments!

(Requires Internet Explorer)

• General Message from the IRS (16 seconds)
• General Message from the IRS (33 seconds)
• If You Don't File (30 seconds)
• Information for Non-Filers (17 seconds)
• Information for Non-Filers (34 seconds)
• Beware of Stimulus Payment Scams! (30 seconds)