Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today encouraged area retirees, veterans, low-income workers, and others who aren't required to file an income tax return to take advantage of free workshops or phone assistance that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and its partners are offering at 37 locations across New York on March 29 to help those individuals, if qualified, file the necessary tax forms to receive a rebate through the recently approved economic stimulus initiative.  Offices across New York will be open on what the IRS is dubbing "Super Saturday" to prepare the simple Form 1040A for people who are filing a return solely to receive their stimulus payment.  The IRS is dependent upon 2007 income tax filings to determine who is eligible for rebates through the economic stimulus initiative, which Hinchey helped pass in the House.

Millions of Americans who do not pay federal income taxes may be eligible for a $300 payment ($600 for married couples) if they have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income is defined as any combination of earned income such as wages, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement. Many households also will be eligible for an additional $300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.

"It's imperative that the IRS be able to identify everyone who is entitled to an economic stimulus rebate, which is why retirees, veterans, low-income workers, and others who aren't required to file an annual income tax return, file a 1040A form this year," Hinchey said. "Anyone who needs assistance with this process should take advantage of the free help the IRS is offering across New York and by phone this Saturday, March 29.  I encourage anyone who needs further assistance or anyone who can't attend a workshop or call the IRS hotline on Saturday, March 29 to reach out to my office.  My staff and I are always happy to help area residents with questions and concerns they may have about the federal government."

IRS-sponsored workshops are being offered in Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Binghamton, and other parts of New York on Saturday, March 29.  To identify all of the locations offering assistance, people are encouraged to call the IRS hotline at 1-800-906-9887.  If taxpayers have economic stimulus questions and can't attend a workshop on March 29, they can call 1-866-234-2942 that day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time for free phone assistance.

This week, the IRS is mailing 20.5 million Social Security and Veterans Affairs recipients a Package 1040A-3 that contains all the information they need to file a return immediately.  Railroad Retirement recipients, low-income individuals and military personnel with nontaxable combat pay also can use the package if they need to file solely to receive the payment.  IRS employees will help prepare the Form 1040A returns for low-income workers, retirees, disabled veterans and others.  IRS field assistance personnel also will visit nursing homes and similar locations to help prepare returns.

Starting in May, the IRS will implement the economic stimulus initiative Congress approved earlier this year to provide payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) plus additional payments of $300 for each for qualifying child. Most Americans don’t need to do anything more than file their tax returns as they normally do. The maximum payments will begin to phase out at $75,000 in adjusted gross income ($150,000 for married couples).

The IRS encourages everyone who is required to file a tax return to do so prior to the April 15 deadline to enable the agency to process the return and to calculate stimulus payment eligibility and amounts.  Also, people should be wary of unsolicited e-mail or telephone calls from anyone claiming to be from the IRS. Don't click on any links. Instead, forward the email to phishing@irs.gov, and then delete it.