Thousands still haven’t filed for rebate checks

Thousands of people in Rhode Island, mostly seniors and veterans, still have some money coming to them.

If you haven’t yet filed to receive a rebate check from the federal government, you need to file by October 15 to get a payment this year. 

Nearly 18,000 Rhode Islanders, including many Social Security and veterans beneficiaries, haven’t filed for a payment yet but are still eligible.

The tax-free rebates were sent automatically to eligible Americans who filed a federal income tax return for 2007. However, many Social Security and VA beneficiaries do not normally file a tax return, and so they must file separate paperwork this year to receive a rebate. 

The filing deadline for the stimulus payment is Oct. 15, 2008.

In Rhode Island, the unclaimed stimulus checks could amount to close to $5.4 million.

Visit http://www.irs.gov to download copies of the forms or for more information.

Or you can go to the IRS’s local offices at 380 Westminster Street, Providence, or 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick, to get paperwork and preparation assistance (no appointment needed).  The offices are open from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Providence office: (401) 525-4282 and Warwick office: (401) 826-4797

You can also call 211 (the United Way’s information service), AARP’s Rhode Island office at 1-866-542-8170 (toll-free), or your local senior center for more information.