Capito urges residents to file returns to receive checks

April 04, 2008|By MATTHEW UMSTEAD

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. -- Rep. Shelley Moore Capito said her visit Friday to the Berkeley County Senior Center was all about an effort to spotlight the need for residents to file a 2007 tax return, even if they don't have a tax obligation, to receive an economic stimulus check.

"I'm just trying to get the level of awareness up," said Capito, who spoke to about 25 seniors gathered at the center in Martinsburg.

"I want to make sure everybody in this room due a rebate gets a rebate," said the Republican lawmaker, who later billed her visit as district field work.

Capito spotlighted the efforts of AARP volunteers like Lex Miller of Shepherdstown, who are available at nine locations in the Eastern Panhandle, from Charles Town to Paw Paw, W.Va., to help seniors with tax matters.

Based on discussions with government officials, Capito said that she believed more than 100,000 West Virginia residents do not normally have an obligation to file a tax return.

And for those in that category, officials said individuals do not have file a return until Oct. 15 to receive the stimulus rebate, Capito said.

According to Capito's office, additional information regarding the economic stimulus checks may be obtained through the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov or by contacting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at 800-906-9887. The American Association of Retired Persons has also established a toll-free hot line at 888-227-7669.

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