Need Money? The IRS Can Help…Really.

by Kristina Gupta, Policy Fellow
National Women’s Law Center

Hopefully, everyone has heard by now that Congress has passed and President Bush has signed into law an economic stimulus bill that will provide “stimulus payments” to tax filers around the country. Eligible individuals can receive $300 to $600 (eligible married couples can receive $600 to $1,200). In addition, families can receive an additional $300 per qualifying child.

Now, you may ask, how do I get this money? You must file a tax return, and then the IRS will automatically calculate your stimulus payment and send it out to you. If you normally file a tax return, simply do so before April 15 (or get an extension). If you are one of more than 20 million people who aren’t required to file tax returns but are eligible to receive economic stimulus payments – including low-income retirees, disabled veterans, and low-wage earners with at least $3,000 in qualifying income – you have to file a return in order to receive your payment.

No need to worry. If you are filing a tax return just to receive a stimulus payment, the form is simple, and the deadline isn’t until Oct. 15, 2008. And there is lots of help available. On Saturday, March 29, the IRS and its partners will open hundreds of locations around the country to help people who are filing a return solely to receive a stimulus payment. Information about this so-called “Super Saturday,” including a list of the locations that will be open, is available on the IRS website. For more information about eligibility for the stimulus payment and how to claim your payment, visit NWLC’s Economic Stimulus Payments webpage.