Facts about the 2008 Stimulus Payments
February 1, 2008
Instructions for Low-Income Workers and Recipients of Social Security and Certain Veterans’ Benefits
- Most taxpayers do not need to take any extra steps to receive the stimulus payment.
- Persons who might not otherwise file a 2007 return, but have at least $3,000 in qualifying income, will need to file a return this year to receive the stimulus package.
- Qualifying income includes earned income (e.g., wages, net self-employment income), Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, and Veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits received from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in 2007. (Note: Supplemental Security Income [SSI] does not count as qualifying income.)
- To be eligible for the Stimulus Payment, tax filers must have a valid Social Security Number. If a joint return, both persons must have a valid Social Security Number.
- Persons who have already filed a 2007 return showing less than $3,000 in qualifying income and did not list their Social Security, Railroad Retirement or Veteran’s benefits, should file an amended return (Form 1040x) to list these non-taxable benefits and qualify for the stimulus payment.
- Social Security, Railroad Retirement and Veteran’s Benefits should all be entered on line 20A of Form 1040 to establish eligibility for the stimulus payment.
- The stimulus payments will not count toward or negatively impact any other income-based government benefits such as Social Security benefits, food stamps and other programs.
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