4660 Bay, Saginaw Taxpayers Fail to File for Economic Stimulus Payments
Filing a Federal Tax Return Required to Receive Funds; Deadline Oct. 15
July 29, 2008
By: Dave Rogers
You must file a tax return to receive an economic stimulus check.
Thousands of taxpayers who otherwise don't have to file a tax return will find it beneficial to file one this year -- and quick -- according to the Michigan League for Human Services.
More than 150,000 eligible households in Michigan, including 4,660 in Bay and Saginaw counties, have yet to file their federal tax returns to cash in on federal economic stimulus payments.
The group includes disabled veterans, others with disabilities and low-income seniors who otherwise would not have to file a tax return. To receive the $300 stimulus payment ($600 for a married couple) a tax return is required.
A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (www.centeronbudget.org) is encouraging those who have yet to file to do so by the Oct. 15 deadline. In Michigan, the unclaimed
payments total $46.4 million, according to the IRS.
"People who do not have to file a tax return during normal times may not understand that they still need to do this to get the economic stimulus payment," said Sharon Parks, president and CEO of
the Michigan League for Human Services. "This is money that is due to them, and it's important that vulnerable households take advantage of this opportunity."
To find free help in filing a tax return, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183 if 2-1-1 isn't available in your area.
Besides Bay, with 1,416, and Saginaw, with 3,244 families that may qualify but have not filed, the top 20 Michigan counties with unclaimed payments are:
Wayne: 43,458;
Oakland: 14,779;
Macomb: 9,379;
Kent: 7,047;
Genesee: 6,544;
Washtenaw: 3,636;
Muskegon: 3,524;
Ingham: 3,375;
Berrien: 3,335;
Kalamazoo: 3,176;
Jackson: 2,819;
St. Clair: 2,417;
Calhoun: 2,144;
Monroe: 2,028;
Ottawa: 1,670;
Livingston: 1,633;
Allegan: 1,509;
Van Buren: 1,400;
(Source: IRS)###