Assemblyman David G. McDonough (R, C, I – Merrick) would like to remind residents that many seniors and disabled residents may be unable to obtain their federal stimulus rebate checks. In order to receive a check, you must file a 2007 tax return.

“Although many seniors and disabled residents are receiving Social Security or disability payments, if they are not filing a 2007 tax return, they will not be eligible for the federal stimulus rebate check. That is why I am encouraging everyone who earns more than $3,000 to file a tax return now,” stated the Assemblyman.

As a member of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection, McDonough has been a leading advocate in helping New Yorkers ensure their finances are protected. More than 130 million taxpayers will be receiving the federal stimulus rebate check this year, however, a technicality may prevent nearly one million New Yorkers from taking advantage of this important program because they do not file tax returns.

Specifically, this applies to the 124,000 Long Island residents who currently receive Social Security or disability payments and do not file tax returns. In order for these residents to become eligible for the $300 rebate, they must file tax returns by April 15, 2008.

The technical problem is that the rebate checks will be sent only to taxpayers using the IRS’s database, which is separate from the Social Security database. Therefore, if you are not filing a tax return this year, you will not be in the IRS’s database.

However, there is still time. For more information on how to file a tax return or for the 1040A return form you will need to complete, please visit the IRS’s website at www.irs.gov or call their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) hotline at 1-800-906-9887 to obtain free IRS help on filling out your tax return. The AARP and the IRS have partnered together to offer another free service to seniors during filing season. Call 1-888-227-7669 or visit the AARP’s website.