| IRS uses YouTube to clue viewers in on tax rebates
The IRS is taking a cue from aspiring comedians and Barack Obama aficionados this week, making use of YouTube to get its message out. The agency produced four 30-second public service announcements that tell viewers how to claim their tax rebate from the economic stimulus plan. The rebates range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1,200 for married couples filing jointly. Each YouTube video features an IRS employee standing in front of an American flag. The videos were put on the Web site starting Friday through the American Payroll Association's YouTube channel. The videos are getting mixed reviews from young YouTube watchers. "I don't see myself or anyone else I know looking for IRS information on YouTube," Michele Meyer, a 22-year-old Ithaca College senior from Stanhope, N.J., said in an e-mail.
IRS Announces Tax Rebate Mailing Schedule
The IRS will begin mailing more than 130 million economic stimulus payments starting on May 2. The mailings are expected to be completed by early July, according to the IRS. In addition, the IRS has a new online calculator that can help you determine how much you will be getting from the government. The payments will be made by direct deposit to people who choose to receive their 2007 income tax refunds through direct deposit. All others will receive their payment in a check. The payments will be sent out in the order of the last two digits of the Social Security number used on the tax return. In a joint return, the first number listed will be used. Some lower income workers and veterans who don't normally need to file a return will need to do so in order to receive the stimulus payment.
IRS wants to give millions money
Millions of Americans could put hundreds of dollars in their pockets just by filing tax returns, according to the IRS. Filing a 2007 return by April 15 makes people eligible - even those who don't owe any taxes - for sizeable "economic stimulus" checks. And filing a 2004 return by April 15 is how a million Americans could collect the unclaimed $1.2 billion in refunds the agency has waiting for them. Just in Pennsylvania and New Jersey alone, more than $80 million is owed to more than 85,000 people who never filed a 2004 income-tax return. More than $550 awaits most of those eligible, according to IRS. Taxpayers must file by April 15, however, or that refund will become the property of the U.S. Treasury. No penalties are charged for filing late, if the taxpayer is owed a refund.
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