MARCH 12, 2008
Tax
help page >>
IRS press release
on economic stimulus payments (PDF)
IRS information on
VA benefits and economic stimulus (PDF)
IRS information on
SSA benefits and economic stimulus (PDF)
United Way will open its
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in
Stuart on Saturday, March 29 to prepare free tax
returns so that traditional non-filers can
receive a federal economic stimulus payment
recently approved by the president and
Congress.
In late March, the IRS will
send a special mailing to certain recipients of
Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.
Generally, those benefits are nontaxable and
recipients do not typically file tax returns.
In order to receive their
economic stimulus payment, people in this group
need to file a tax return if they have at least
$3,000 from a combination of certain Social
Security benefits, Veterans benefits and earned
income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does
not qualify. Also, residents who can be claimed
as a dependent on someone else's tax return are
not eligible.
To help eligible Martin
County residents who receive these IRS mailings,
four United Way volunteers will prepare and
electronically file tax returns for free on a
walk-in basis 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March
29 at the United Way office at 50 Kindred
Street, Suite 207, Stuart.
The minimum stimulus
payment for eligible people is $300 ($600 for
married filing jointly). The stimulus payments
will not count toward or negatively impact any
other income-based government benefits, such as
Social Security benefits and food stamps.
To prepare these returns,
residents should bring photo identification,
some proof of their Social Security number –
such as a copy of their Social Security card;
their Social Security statement (Form
1099-SSA); or Medicare card – an estimate of the
amount of Social Security, railroad
retirement or veterans benefits received; and
any other income statements (i.e. W-2s,
1099-INT, if received). If direct deposit will
be requested, residents should bring their bank
routing and account numbers.
Free tax preparation for
others:
United Way and AARP
volunteers continue to offer free
tax preparation and electronic filing at a
variety of times and sites throughout Martin
County.
United Way of Martin
County’s VITA sites help people file for the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The VITA sites
offer free tax help to low- to moderate-income
people (those earning about $40,000 and below).
People seeking the free tax
assistance and electronic filing at the
following VITA sites should call (772) 283-4800
for an appointment:
-
United Way of Martin
County, 50 Kindred Street, Suite 207,
Stuart. Monday through Thursday, 6-8 p.m.
-
Hobe Sound Library,
10595 SE Federal Hwy. Wednesday, 5:30-7:30
p.m.
The AARP effort serves
taxpayers of any age and encompasses a greater
variety of tax forms than the VITA sites. AARP
also does electronic filing of returns. AARP
handles clients on a walk-in basis; no
appointments are taken. In Martin County, AARP
Tax Aide sites are as follows:
-
Blake Library
2351 SE Monterey Road
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday
10 a.m. to noon Saturday
-
Robert Morgade Library
On Salerno Road next to IRCC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday
-
Hoke Library
At Jensen Beach Blvd. and Goldenrod Road
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Thursday and
Friday
-
Seacoast National Bank
on Hutchinson Island
4392 NE Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
Please note that AARP does
not do business taxes except Schedule CEZ. Also,
they do not do rental property, trusts, limited
partnerships or paper returns.
For more information about
the AARP Tax Aide program, visit
www.aarp.org/taxaide. For more
information about the United Way VITA sites,
call (772) 283-4800 or visit
www.unitedwaymartincounty.org.
More information about tax
preparation services is available at
www.irs.gov
or by calling the IRS toll-free at
1-800-829-1040 or contacting Peggy O’Malley, IRS
senior tax specialist, at (561) 616-2016.
