While a slumping economy is leaving many people struggling to balance the soaring costs of housing, gas, food, and health care, nearly 100,000 residents from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties have failed to take advantage of their economic stimulus rebate, leaving close to $30 million unclaimed.
Nationally, 4.3 million people remain to file for their rebates, leaving $1.3 billion in unclaimed payments.
Wednesday is the last day for those people, most of whom are over the age of 65, to file a tax form.
To receive the stimulus rebate, people who didn’t need to file a tax return this year, but who received at least $3,000 from Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, or earned income in 2007, must submit a simplified version of a 1040A tax form to the Internal Revenue Service. Citizens can call 800-829-1040 to have their questions answered.
The minimum payment for this group is $300 for an individual and $600 for a couple filing jointly.
