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Date published: 3/8/2008

By PAMELA GOULD

Anyone normally exempt from filing a tax return must file this year to receive the economic stimulus payments that will be disbursed starting in May.

To be eligible to receive a payment, an individual needs to have received at least $3,000 in qualifying income in 2007. That income can be from Social Security benefits, railroad retirement, some veterans benefits and earned income from wages, salaries, tips or self-employment, according to the IRS.

The IRS will be mailing information packets, but the AARP and some local businesses are offering help for people who think they fall in this category and thus could be eligible for a payment.

Most single eligible filers will receive $300; couples $600.

Local Liberty Tax Service owner Karen Redding said the stimulus payments won't be taxable for 2008 and won't impact benefits anyone already receives.

For more information, select "rebate questions" at irs.gov

Pamela Gould: 540/735-1972
Email: pgould@freelancestar.com

Following are some of the local options for people who wouldn't normally file a tax return to get help filing this year for a stimulus payment. Liberty Tax Service offices in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County will prepare tax returns for free for people falling into this category, owner Karen Redding said. Offices are in the Westwood Shopping Center, 1915 Plank Road, Fredericksburg (540/371-7033), and at 3801 Plank Road in Spotsylvania County (540/548-8055). Redding encouraged people to call for appointments and to come in before April to ensure they get help. AARP's Web site (aarp.org) offers tips on the stimulus payment. Member volunteers are offering free help preparing tax returns at several sites in the Fredericksburg region. --Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St., Fredericksburg. 540/372-1086 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. --Salem Fields Community Church, 11120 Gordon Road, Spotsylvania. For appointments, call 540/785-8955 between 3 and 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:30-4:30 p.m. --C. Melvin Snow Memorial Library, 8740 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Call 540/507-7565 for appointments. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. --Lake of the Woods, 102 Lakeview Parkway, Locust Grove. Call 540/972-0350. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. --Caroline Community Center, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford. Call 804/633-5455. Mondays and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. --Culpeper Career Resource Center, 210 E. Stevens St., Suite 300, Culpeper. Call 540/727-1055. Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. --Orange Extension Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 102, Orange. Call 540/672-1361. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. The Rappahannock United Way announced that people can get free help through the following locations. --Stafford Head Start, 610 Gayle St., Stafford. Fridays through April 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 540/368-2559 for a required appointment. --Garrison Woods, 207 Garrison Woods Drive, North Stafford. Monday and April 14, 5-7 p.m. Call 540/657-5836 for a required appointment. --Virginia Employment Commission, 3501 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg. Walk-ins taken Thursdays, 1-4 p.m. --Rappahannock Goodwill, 1409 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg. Wednesdays 8 a.m. to noon. Call 540/371-3070 for a required appointment. H&R Block offices are offering free reviews for people trying to determine whether they are eligible for the stimulus payment. If they need to file, a fee of $35 will be charged to prepare the tax return, said Fredericksburg District Manager Frank Altro.

Date published: 3/8/2008