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HELPING WITH THE PRESIDENT'S TAX BREAK
Senior Department Lends A Hand For Oct. 15 Filing Deadline
By Bill McLaughlin
Senior residents who qualify for a payout check under the presidential economic stimulus package will now have help in filing a claim, the Ocean County Office of Senior Services announced this week.
A number of seniors don't file an income tax return, Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari told board of freeholders members last Wednesday.
"We want to make sure seniors are part of the federal government's economic stimulus program," Vicari said. "So many seniors can truly use this money just to help with day-to-day expenses. We want to make sure they don't miss out on this opportunity."
Those residents who routinely get Social Security, veterans' benefits or are on railroad pensions but don't file federal or state tax returns, need to file a 2007 1040A tax form to be eligible to receive the presidential stimulus benefit, Vicari emphasized.
"We're going to reach out to everyone who is qualified," he said. "We're trying to get the word out any way we can. Seniors have until October 15, 2008 to file, but many either don't know about this, or are suspicious about filing a return."
The president's bill provides individual tax relief in the form of tax rebates, amounting to as much as $600 for individuals, and $1,200 for married couples, with additional rebates for families with children.
The application process involves only a few lines of information, and recipients can have the check mailed or sent to a direct deposit account, Vicari explained.
The program will begin sending checks in May to those who have already filed income tax returns. The last two digits on your Social Security number will determine the order in which checks are mailed.
Seniors who didn't normally file an income tax form might not realize they even have this money coming to them, cautioned Jane Maloney, the director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.
However, every qualified recipient who filed a tax return should have already received a government mailer explaining the program.
Maloney said Ocean County currently has the largest percentage of New Jersey residents in the 75-plus, 80-plus and 85-plus age groups, which is more than double the state average.
Vicari said the county's government service provider, County Connection, will have staff on hand at the Ocean County Mall on April 23 and May 1 to help senior residents file claims. Appointments can be made by calling 732-288-7777.
Help can also be found at One Stop for Seniors, 1027 Hooper Avenue, in Toms River, or at various outreach or senior centers throughout Ocean County.
Vicari said it has been challenging simply to get the 1040A form to people who are not linked to the Internet, and asked those interested to call 1-800-668-4899 or 732-929-2091 for more information or assistance with the president's economic stimulus package.
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