5,304 Newarkers have not claimed their payments; Deadline to file for the federal payment is October 15

Newark, NJ - October 3, 2008 - Mayor Cory A. Booker today called on Newark residents who have not filed for their federal Economic Stimulus Payments to do so, as some 5,304 City residents are owed a total of $1.62 million from the federal Internal Revenue Service under this program, and the deadline to file is October 15 - just two weeks away.

Under the federal Economic Stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year, millions of American households who filed federal income tax returns in 2007 who are eligible for a one-time payment of $300 ($600 for married couples). However, the IRS has identified more than 20 million low-income seniors, disabled veterans, and others with disabilities across the nation who are not otherwise required to file a tax return, but are eligible for the payments.

“We are going through difficult economic times right now, and many Newark residents need an economic boost. Thousands of our neighbors who are eligible for these important federal payments may not receive them. I urge all Newark residents, whether or not they have filed a federal income tax return, to act before the October 15 deadline, and get the money that they deserve,” Mayor Booker said.

Newark is ranked in the top 100 cities nationwide with unclaimed stimulus payments and Essex County is ranked in the top 100 counties nationwide in the same category.

In order to qualify for these payments, senior citizens, veterans, and disabled persons must have the following:

· $3,000 or more in income from earnings, Social Security Benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), veterans’ disability benefits, railroad retirement benefits, or a combination of any of these benefits and pay in 2007.

· A valid Social Security number.

· Can’t be claimed as a dependent on any other person’s taxes.

To claim these payments, applicants must complete some basic information on their federal Form1040 or 1040A, even if they don’t usually file a tax return. This basic information include: Name, Social Security Number, address, filing status (single or married), amount of earned/work income, amount of Social Security income, amount of railroad retirement income, and amount of veterans’ disability income.

To file for these payments, contact the Internal Revenue Service on the web at http://www.irs.gov/ or call The Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942, or contact the Internal Revenue Service at their Newark Office, which is located at 20 Washington Place, Newark, New Jersey, 07102. The phone number is (973) 645-6690. The office’s hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

AARP has a “Stimulus Payment Tool” on its website that helps you complete the 1040A form for you. Then you just print the 1040A, sign it, and mail it in to the IRS. The tool is located on the web at:

https://aarp-stimulus2008.benefitscheckup.org/espp/welcome.do;jessionid=CB8A65F09204F74EA3AD199C5CCE82A

In addition, Newark residents can contact the City’s 4311 Non-Emergency Call Center at 973) 733-4311 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

-NEWARK-

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For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us