U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson announced this week that 64 percent of Missouri residents over the age of 65 who are enrolled in Social Security or receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration have not satisfied the requirement to receive an economic stimulus check from the federal government.

In St. Francois County alone 1,633 residents who are eligible for the payment have not applied.

“In rural America and in Southern Missouri especially, the economic stimulus program is meant to generate local economic activity in addition to alleviating some of the strain on our family budgets.  The point is to capture a rebate from the taxes we pay and return those dollars to our community, and everyone in Southern Missouri ought to take advantage in order to generate the maximum economic effect,” Emerson said. “Skyrocketing gas prices, the rising cost of food, and always rising prices for prescription medications mean the economic stimulus can be a great assistance to Social Security beneficiaries and others who are struggling to make do on a fixed income.”

It’s still not too late for those individuals to file a 2007 federal income tax return, even if they have zero income to report for the year, in order to join the list of Missourians who will receive an economic stimulus payment.

“Congress and the president intentionally made the stimulus available to Americans with no income tax liability to boost the local effect of our tax dollars,” Emerson said. “In Southern Missouri, this is a key opportunity to support local businesses and encourage investment close to home.”

To determine eligibility for a stimulus payment and receive instructions for qualifying, citizens may contact the IRS Economic Stimulus Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942, the IRS Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954, or the Individual Tax Help Hotline at 1-800-829-1040.  

The IRS Taxpayer Advocate may also be helpful at 1-877-275-8271.  The IRS also operates a taxpayer assistance center in the Eighth Congressional District at 137 South Broadview in Cape Girardeau.  The telephone number for the center is (573) 334-1552.  

Additional Taxpayer Assistance Centers are located in Jefferson City at 3702 W. Truman Blvd. (573-635-6827) and in Springfield at 3333 S. National Ave. (417-889-9828).  

Online, please visit www.tax-toolkit.com for helpful information.

Individuals who have no legal requirement to file a tax return but must do so to receive an economic stimulus payment are eligible to use the IRS Free File program.

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