| IRS to offer local aid to claim stimulus cash
The Internal Revenue Service will open hundreds of locations across the country, including one in Sarasota this Saturday, in an effort to reach those who are eligible for the economic stimulus payment but who normally are not required to file an income-tax return. Approximately 320 IRS offices will be open on Super Saturday to prepare the simple Form 1040A for people who are filing a return solely to receive their stimulus payment. The Sarasota location is at 5971 Cattle Ridge Blvd. from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. IRS partners such as AARP, United Way of America and others also are making special efforts Saturday to reach out to those who normally are not required to file a tax return. Millions of Americans who do not pay federal income taxes may be eligible for a $300 payment or $600 for married couples if they have at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
Tax return assistance available for seniors
Seniors and others who may not normally file income tax returns must do so this year if they want to receive an economic stimulus payment from the federal government. More than 130 million U.S. households will receive the payment starting in May. To be eligible for the payments, individuals must have a valid Social Security number and file a federal tax return showing a qualifying income of at least $3,000. Social Security recipients and recipients of certain veterans� benefits and railroad retirement benefits can count those benefits toward the $3,000 requirement. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count as qualifying income, according to IRS information. Filing a tax return is necessary, though, to obtain the payment ($300 or more for individuals, and $600 or more for joint filers).
My dog ate my tax return
OHIO (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - There is a pooch in Ohio with some expensive taste. A guy says his puppy ate his $4,000 tax refund check. "I was like 'what did she get into?' he was like, 'I don't know'. He went down there and it said 'Department of U.S. Treasury', I was like, 'Oh my god," said Jeff Vogelsang. Vogelsang called the IRS to see if he could get another check. He says at first agents weren't buying his story, so he went down to the office with the half eaten check. Apparently IRS agents have a sense of humor because he says they all started laughing when they saw the evidence. .
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