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For Immediate Release
March 28, 2008 |
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Economic Stimulus Payments
to Bring $1.3 Billion to Connecticut
Bridgeport, CT - In conjunction with the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) and Congressman Christopher Shays, Bridgeport
Mayor Bill Finch and Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia noted today
that starting in May, economic stimulus payments of up to
$600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples will be
issued by the IRS based on 2007 tax returns. The IRS estimates
that 230,000 Connecticut residents who do not typically file
a tax return could qualify for the rebate, so encouraged those
people to file.
“I am pleased the Congress worked on a bipartisan basis
to get this relief to Americans as quickly as possible, and
acted in a responsible way to stimulate the economy and try
to head off a recession,” said Shays. “This funding
is a good step toward helping residents of the Fourth Congressional
District meeting mounting economic challenges.”
"The federal government's economic stimulus package
will be helpful to Bridgeport's economy and will help continue
the major revitalization going on in Bridgeport right now,"
said Mayor Bill Finch. "It will also help mitigate the
high cost of living and property tax burden facing Bridgeport
residents. Property tax reform continues to be one my administration's
top priorities at the state level."
"This initiative will help many local families,”
said Mayor Richard Moccia. “I wish to thank Congressman
Shays for his support and urge Norwalk residents to take advantage
of the Taxpayer Assistance Centers where they can get their
questions answered."
To receive the payments this year, residents must file a
2007 tax return. The IRS will determine eligibility, calculate
the amount and send the payment, which will be in addition
to taxpayers’ refunds.
Many people are eligible for the payments but may not know
it, however, and so may not file a tax return because their
income is too low or their benefits are nontaxable. If they
don’t file a tax return, the IRS will not know the name
or address to which the payment should be sent.
Residents who do not normally file a tax return but who have
at least $3,000 in qualified income may be eligible for a
minimum payment of $300 for individuals or $600 for married
couples. Qualifying income may include earnings from wages
or self-employment, or be received as benefits such as Social
Security retirement, Railroad Retirement or Veterans Affairs
payments to disabled veterans or veterans’ survivors.
It also can be from a combination of wages and these benefits.
There are some restrictions. People must have valid Social
Security numbers for themselves and children. Those who are
claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return,
or who are eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone
else’s tax return, do not qualify.
Those who already file a tax return each year need do nothing
more to file their tax return. The IRS will do the rest. Those
who normally don’t file a return can use Form 1040A
with just a little information, and taxpayer assistance centers
in Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford will be opened extended
weekend hours on March 29th and April 12th to help residents
file for their rebate. In addition, free tax preparation sites
or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP tax sites
are open in each city for appointments to fill out the appropriate
tax rebate forms. Those interested in this service can call
2-1-1 for locations.
For more information, and to calculate the amount of your
rebate, go to the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.
Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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