Reverse Mortgage Guide

Applying for economic stimulus payments will now be easier for more than 20 million Americans who normally don’t have to file a tax return thanks to the development of a new, user-friendly online tool developed jointly by AARP Tax-Aide and the National Council on Aging.

People can access the tool either through NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp(R) at www.BenefitsCheckUp.org/ or through AARP’s web site at www.AARP.org/stimulus.

“It’s important for people to have easy to understand instructions about who’s eligible for the stimulus payment and the ability to fill out the 1040A form,” said Stuart Spector, NCOA Senior Vice President. “NCOA worked hard to advance the economic stimulus legislation and this joint effort with AARP Tax-Aide produced an effective, smart tool to make it a reality for those in need.”

The Stimulus Payment tool makes available in one place on the Internet, simple, easy-to-understand instructions coupled with the ability to complete and print the IRS 1040A form, with personalized instructions on where to mail it. The Stimulus payment tool will make it easy for stimulus payment filers, and trusted intermediaries, family members and caregivers that aid them, to take the necessary actions to get the stimulus payment that they are entitled to under the law.

“AARP is dedicated to making sure people have the information and resources they need to receive their stimulus payments,” said Tom Nelson, AARP’s Chief Operating Officer. “Developing this on-line tool with NCOA enables the thousands of AARP volunteers, community groups and trusted individuals to help older Americans securely receive their stimulus payments. This tool is an incredibly straightforward way to help every person who is eligible for a payment get one.”

NCOA encourages people who are filing their 1040A forms for the Economic Stimulus to also take some time to find out if they are eligible for other benefit programs by using BenefitsCheckUp. BenefitsCheckUp is a Web site that can help people aged 55 and over and some younger people with Medicare find and get the benefits they are eligible for. NCOA’s research shows that many seniors are not aware of these programs or believe that they are not eligible for them. BenefitsCheckUp makes it easy for seniors, their families or caregivers to complete a questionnaire that only takes a few minutes, is free, and answers are always private.

Richard E. Byrd, IRS Commissioner for Wage and Investment, joined NCOA and AARP Thursday in Washington to announce “Super Saturday,” intended to help people throughout the country get help filing for payments scheduled for Saturday, March 29. Approximately 320 IRS offices will be open on Super Saturday to prepare the simple Form 1040A for people who are filing a return solely to receive their stimulus payment, along with IRS partners such as AARP, United Way of America and dozens of other trusted, community-based organizations.

“We don’t want any Americans to miss out on their economic stimulus payment. For millions of Americans, filing a tax return is not routine. Their income is either too low or not taxable. But this year, filing a 2007 tax return is the only way to receive an economic stimulus payment. Super Saturday is one way the IRS and its partners are working to ensure everyone eligible receives a stimulus payment,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 4:32 am and is filed under Reverse Mortgage . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.