FORT PIERCE - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and St. Lucie County's Community Services Department are urging retirees and disabled veterans who have not filed for their Economic Stimulus Payments to do so.

According to IRS officials, there are more than 6,000 county residents who are eligible for the Economic Stimulus Payments. If all 6,081 potential filers qualified and filed for the payment of $300, it would represent $1,824,300.

For all taxpayers, the IRS has issued 76.5 million payments worth $63.8 billion based on 2007 tax returns processed so far. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year's end. Eligible individuals are receiving up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17.

A special stimulus category includes recipients of certain benefits from Social Security and Veterans Affairs who do not normally have a requirement to file a tax return. However, these individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payments. The IRS has accounted for 74 percent of Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries out of about 20 million initially identified as being potential stimulus recipients. All but 5.2 million of those have been accounted for as either having filed a return, having filed a joint return, or as not being eligible for a stimulus payment (for example, they were claimed as a dependent on another's return).

Most people only need to file a tax return as they normally do. The IRS will calculate eligibility and the payment amount. However, many retirees and veterans do not normally file a tax return because their benefits are not taxable. This year, they must file in order to receive an economic stimulus payment.

The agency also reminded people that it has more than 400 local Taxpayer Assistance Centers operating normal business hours Monday through Friday. These centers can provide assistance to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments. A list for addresses and office hours can be found at "Contact My Local Office" at www.irs.gov.

Locally, Miracle Prayer Temple, 3215 Avenue Q, Fort Pierce, continues to operate a free tax preparation service for low income residents. For details call Miracle Prayer Temple at (772) 332-6716 or the St. Lucie County Community Services Department at (772) 462-1777.

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