| Panelists volunteer for a better IRS
If you've been wrestling with your tax forms, you might have a few words for the Internal Revenue Service. Turns out, the IRS wants to hear what you have to say, and has set up a panel of citizen advocates to listen. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel consists of 98 volunteers nationwide, including three in New Jersey, who serve three-year terms, seeking out taxpayers' thoughts and opinions. The IRS invites interested people to apply for the panel at improveirs.org or by calling (888) 912-1227. Applications must be received by April 30. The Record spoke recently with Ben Chapman, 66, of Wayne, a retired accountant who formerly worked with KPMG and Allegheny Corp. and who has been on the panel for about 18 months. Following is an edited transcript: Q. Why did you join the panel? It's a way to give back.
IRS to Help Non-Filers Get Checks
The Internal Revenue Service will open some 320 offices on Saturday, March 29, to help low-income people including some retirees and veterans get the checks they are eligible for under the economic stimulus act passed by Congress in January. The tax agency said Monday that community and advocacy groups such as the AARP and United Way of America will also make special efforts on that day to ensure that people who don't ordinarily file tax returns don't miss out on the payment. Under the stimulus act, people are eligible to receive at least $300, with married couples getting $600. Many households also can get an additional $300 for each qualifying child younger than 17. But people must file a tax return to receive the payment, raising concerns that those who don't usually need to file will be overlooked.
IRS announces tax rebate payment schedule
The Internal Revenue Service announced a payment schedule Monday for the Economic Stimulus Payments. More than 130 million economic stimulus payments will begin going out on May 2. The initial round of weekly payments will be completed by early July.The IRS is also announcing an on-line calculator at www.irs.gov/app/espc to help taxpayers determine if they are eligible to receive an economic stimulus payment and if they are, how much they can expect. Anyone who has prepared a 2007 income tax return can use the calculator. It will ask taxpayers a series of questions, so they should have their 2007 tax returns handy. After answering the questions, the calculator will provide the projected dollar value of the payment.Stimulus payments will be made by direct deposit to people who choose to receive their 2007 income tax refunds through direct deposit.
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