Camp Springs, MD – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and Internal Revenue Commissioner Douglas Shulman, along with Maryland Secretary of Aging Gloria Lawlah, Deputy Secretary for Veterans Affairs Wilbert Forbes, and Prince George’s County officials gathered at the
Camp Springs Senior Center today to urge seniors and disabled veterans – who might otherwise not be required to file a tax return – to file a return this year so they can collect their stimulus rebate.
“We want Marylanders to get the money they are entitled to receive,” Senator Cardin told the crowd seniors and veterans in attendance. “Close to 100,000 Marylanders are missing out on stimulus rebate checks of $300 or $600 simply because they did not know they could still file the necessary paperwork. That represents nearly $30 million that could be helping individuals across our state and helping our communities.”
“Earlier this year,
Congress moved quickly to pass an economic stimulus package that would provide relief to 130 million Americans who are struggling daily with high energy costs, a declining housing market and rising health care costs. We worked hard to ensure that the rebates were inclusive of 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans who rely primarily on certain Social Security or Veterans benefits for their income. I was proud that this was accomplished, but now we need to do more to get these funds into the hands of those who have served our country and supported our economy for so long. The deadline to file is October 15,” said Senator Cardin.
IRS Commissioner Shulman assured the crowd that filing a tax return simply to receive a stimulus rebate will have no impact on your regular tax status and will not change any of your benefits or impact any other reporting to the IRS.
For people who have no tax liability or tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples filing jointly).
To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income, which includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, VA and Railroad Retirement.
