Published: February 29, 2008 01:30 pm      

Tax service files free returns for taxpayers who don’t meet regular filing requirements

Ada — The tax stimulus package means rebates for most taxpayers, including people who would not normally file a tax return.

Those eligible for a payment need to file a 2007 tax return. Liberty Tax Service is offering to prepare tax returns at no charge until March 31st for select taxpayers who have no tax liability. Low income workers, or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007 will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.

Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans’ benefits, and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. While these people might not normally be required to file a tax return because they do not meet the filing requirement, they must file a 2007 return in order to receive a rebate.

“Liberty Tax Service wants to help people who do not normally have to file a return get the rebate they are entitled to receive. Many people who receive Social Security and veterans benefits are likely to overlook this opportunity to get the stimulus payment.

"Last year, over 30 million taxpayers missed the telephone excise tax credit that was due to them. We don’t want that to occur with the tax stimulus package,” states Mike Shilling, owner of the local Liberty Tax Service.

“Liberty is known for our commitment to give back to the communities that support our company. This is just another way we can help out.”

Liberty Tax Service will be mounting a public awareness campaign to ensure that everyone entitled to a stimulus payment is alerted.

Anyone who has questions can e-mail taxrebates@libertytax.com for more information. Representatives from Liberty Tax Service are available to comment on this program as well.