I'm trying to help someone with their economic stimulus payment (but I suck at this stuff)

May 12, 2008 7:28 PM

A friend who is severely disabled and volunteers at our school is hoping to get the Economic Stimulus Payment. According to the IRS he is totally eligible, but there's a catch.

Because he's been 100% disabled for his entire adult life, he has never had to file tax returns, but it's only possible to receive this payment after having filed an '07 return.

Should we have someone pencil whip up a filing for him?

He's been volunteering at that school for 30 years and as much of an asset he has been to the school and community, they haven't been able to put him on a payroll. This would be a much deserved wind fall for him.

Any advice or ideas would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

posted by snsranch to law & government (9 comments total)

This would be a much deserved wind fall for him.

Can you just take up a collection in his honor and have a bunch of people kick in $10 or $20?
posted by Miko at 7:36 PM on May 12, 2008

You have to have at least $3,000 in eligible income in order to receive the minimum amount ($300). Social Security income counts as eligible for these purposes, but supplemental security income (SSI) does not.

(From this FAQ page)

Here's more information on those who receive Social Security benefits and what you would have to do if they are eligible. There's a link there to an informational package about filling out the return.
posted by cabingirl at 7:46 PM on May 12, 2008

Check here

A separate IRS mailing was sent in late March to people who no longer file tax returns—certain recipients of Social Security and veterans disability benefits—explaining what they will need to do to receive their one-time economic stimulus payment and providing the necessary guidance and forms.

There is plenty of time to get help and apply for the payment. April 15 is NOT the deadline for those who no longer file tax returns. The deadline for the economic stimulus payment form will likely be sometime in the fall of 2008.
People who do not need to file a tax return, but received at least $3,000 from Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, certain railroad retirement benefits and/or earned income in 2007, must submit a simplified version of a 1040A tax form to the IRS in order to receive a stimulus payment. The minimum payment for this group will be $300 for an individual and $600 for a couple filing jointly.

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posted by Miko at 7:50 PM on May 12, 2008

Thank you, cabingirl, you rule! I think he has SSI, but we'll check it out.
posted by snsranch at 7:52 PM on May 12, 2008

Hey Miko, you rule too! (on preview!) This is good stuff, I really appreciate it!
posted by snsranch at 7:54 PM on May 12, 2008

It doesn't sound like he's eligible after all if "has a certain amount of income" isn't fulfilled. Sorry.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:12 PM on May 12, 2008

I don't know anything about the eligibility rules, so can't comment on this.

He can file a return. Probably want the 1040EZ. One of the lines on it will call for the taxable income to be entered. If his taxable income is $0, write a 0 on that line. Fill out the rest of the form according to the directions, put stamp on, address envelope, seal, mail.
posted by yohko at 8:52 PM on May 12, 2008

Note that if you find you are eligible to receive all or part of the refund, he can file a return online for free because of his low income: free file. Do the same thing as yohko says, just put zeros anyplace you should put zeros. I had had a memory that there was also a special form even simpler than the 1040EZ you could file if you had little or no income, but I can't find it right now.
posted by skynxnex at 5:20 AM on May 13, 2008

Hey, thanks again folks!
posted by snsranch at 7:59 PM on May 22, 2008