Help Is Available in Filling Out Economic Stimulus Tax Forms

People can get help with filling out tax forms to receive an economic stimulus check by calling the Michigan State University Extension office in St. Ignace at 643- 7307. There is no charge for appointments.

People can also receive help from an online resource for filling out the forms at the AARPWeb site, www.aarp.org/stimulus. The site allows users to print out a completed economic stimulus form after answering a few simple questions.

More than 130 million households will receive an economic stimulus check from the federal government, beginning in May. Individuals will receive between $300 and $600, and married couples will receive $600 to $1,200, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Families with children will receive an additional $300 per child younger than 17.

Those with a Social Security number and showing qualifying income of at least $3,000 on a federal tax return are eligible for the payments. People who filed a 2007 income tax return, or will file one by October, do not need to do anything else to qualify for the payment.

Many people, such as those on Social Security, low income workers, and those on veterans' disability benefits, who normally do not file a tax return, are also eligible, and this year must sign and mail in tax form 1040A to receive their payment.