IRS Free File - Stimulus Plan information

Here's some happy news from our good friends, the Internal Revenue Sadists:



Uncle Wulf's notes:

Free file is available in Spanish, for those who'd like to partake of that flavor.

This information came to me through the IRS Newswire email newsletter. Good info, delivered in a timely fashion.

Great info, I wasn't aware of this, thanks for posting it.

The information is very useful, to me. I work with ALOT of 'The Elderly'.....sure will pass this information along. Thanks.

Unc, this is great info to know. Thanks for sharing it. Chargers, my only advice to your elderly clients would be to mention that alot of elderly are computer-illiterate and would need someone to help them freefile. I would be very cautious--as sadly, there are people out there who wouldn't hesitate to scam them in a New York minute.

Yep..you're right. SOME of the Elderly, that i work with, live in 'Highrises'(apartments). They have Managers, Supervisors, etc. that help them with this kind of thing. Others, I work with have some of their family memebers help them. But..there is STILL a % that have to do it themselves, because they have no one else to do it for them..it's THIS % I'm really worried about.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that individuals who normally do not file a tax return but must do so this year in order to receive their 2008 economic stimulus payment can now use the IRS Free File program to help them file returns for 2007.

IRS and several of its partners in the Free File Alliance can now accept returns submitted by people who have no legal requirement to file other than to receive their payments. People in this category should take care to use only those companies listed on the Free File - Economic Stimulus Payment.

“If you are only filing a return to receive your economic stimulus payment, Free File is a great option for you. All you need to do is follow the simple instructions provided by the software. It’s easy, and it’s free,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Linda E. Stiff.

Individuals and families must have at least $3,000 of income from any combination of earned income, Social Security retirement or disability benefits, certain Railroad retirement benefits, or disability compensation, disability pension, or survivor benefits paid by the Veterans Affairs. The minimum economic stimulus payment is $300 for individuals and $600 for married couples.

To obtain a payment, all people who are eligible for payments of up to $600 for individuals ($1,200 for married couples) must file a tax return in order for the IRS to know their name, address and eligibility. Parents also may qualify for a $300 payment for each eligible child younger than 17. Valid Social Security numbers are required.

Taxpayers who normally file a tax return and want to use Free File, should simply go to the main Free File page and click ‘Start Now’ to see a list of the 19 companies offering free preparation and electronic filing to the IRS. Free File is available to 97 million taxpayers who earn $54,000 or less.

There is no charge for using IRS Free File. With just a few answers, people can complete a simple form and use IRS e-file. The IRS also urges all filers to use direct deposit, if they have a checking or savings account, because it is the fastest way to receive an economic stimulus payment.

Once people file a tax return, they don’t need to do anything more. The IRS will do the rest. The IRS will begin issuing payments starting in May.

So, GUEST....are they doing the 'Package' the same as they did LAST year? I was under the impression that the 'Package' was just for the 'bailout' thing and Foreclosures. Just seems to me that the entire 'Package' is a bit MORE confusing this year.

i was under the impression that we are not recieving any type of stimulus payment this year just tax cuts (10.00 a week yea!! im in the money!) Unless i missed something

YEP--- as I said, a bit MORE confusing. Does anyone know where I can get the correct information, about the 'Package'? I've heard several different things can/will happen with THIS one.

Yep ~ I am totally confused on this whole package thing also. I have to have things explained to me in simple terms. If anyone finds out anything, I sure will be looking for the information.

in all honesty, i really dont feel it will be helping people like us at all except for the extra 10-15 dollars a week in the paychecks starting in june. From what i understand the tax cuts are all going to if you buy a car, or a home you will recieve tax credit for next year on your returns. Its going to provide jobs (so they say) by creating parks, fixing roads, whatever. I believe also that it will raise the earned income tax credit for next year, and possibly the child credit.

people on welfare will recieve more money in food stamps and better funded programs. so the average family like my husband and i that are struggling to stay off of welfare should just throw in the towel and join because it doesnt pay to take care of yourself. they either want you filthy rich so they can tax ya to death, or dirt poor so that they can control your life. Im so bummed about this package if anything it is going to hurt us in a few years because of inflation.

Thanks obama for absolutely nothing!

oh and i forgot, the plan for mortages, you cant refinance with the gov help to the lower interest rate unless you are about 3 months late. so stop paying your mortage becuase your not being rewarded for on time payments your being punished. So scince i am current with my mortage i will pay about 2% more than the people who are not and i cannot refinance unless im late.

so with this wonderful bill you misewell throw in the towel, get on welfare, and dont pay your bills because this is what they want you to do because the rest of us are not gonna be able to live on our own anylonger they dont want us too.

sorry i had a bad day yesterday and i feel it creeping into today.