Newswise — Taxpayers who normally would not file an income tax return need to do so this year if they want to receive the economic stimulus payment the federal government is proposing for some low-income workers and for Social Security, veteran's benefits and some Railroad Retirement benefits recipients. Those checks will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1,200 for joint filers, with possibly another $300 per qualifying child, according to the IRS.
Margaret Van Brunt, C.P.A., assistant dean of the Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J., and coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at there, said, "You want to file. And if you do have to file and you're getting a refund, you want to have direct deposit, which will get the return to you more quickly."
Van Brunt suggests that low-income citizens in particular also look to free tax preparation services to help them with their returns. She oversees the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at Rowan and said such offerings can be a benefit to those who normally don't file and may not have the funds for a typical tax preparer. At Rowan and elsewhere, specially trained students under the guidance of a professional help qualified people — individuals with disabilities, individuals with low incomes and other students — on their returns.
Van Brunt also suggests those with questions visit http://www.irs.gov.
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