The IRS is looking for 37,000 Nevada retirees and/or disabled veterans to get them to file by Oct. 15 so they can receive their stimulus payment this year. According to the IRS, these are people who generally do not file a tax return but need to file a 2007 version in order to get at least $300 under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.

The IRS also reminds 102,000 Nevada taxpayers who received the automatic six-month extension of time to file that they face an Oct. 15 deadline.

There are 1,253 potential remaining filers (seniors, retirees and/or disabled vets) in Sparks. With at least $300 owed to those taxpayers, that amounts to a minimum of $376,000 to be had locally.

Of the potential remaining filers in Nevada, there are 25,557 in Clark County, 5,720 in Washoe, 1,236 in Nye, 994 in Carson City and 840 in Lyon County.

“Don’t let the economic stimulus payment pass you by,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “If you want the payment this year, you should file by Oct. 15. We recognize that there may be older Americans and disabled veterans who still have not filed for their stimulus payment. If you know of a friend, neighbor or family members who may be in that situation, please give them a hand if they need it.”

The IRS has accounted for nearly 80 percent of the Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries initially identified as potentially eligible but has yet to hear from an estimated 4.2 million people nationally who receive certain Social Security benefits and 178,000 who receive certain Veterans Affairs benefits.

As of Aug. 29, the IRS had issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to 114.8 million individuals and families.

For those with no tax liability and who have no requirement to file a tax return because their income is too low or nontaxable, there is a stimulus payment of up to $300 ($600 for married couples) plus the $300 payment for each qualifying child. However, people in this situation must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income from earned income, nontaxable combat pay as well as certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement.

Qualifying income from Social Security includes retirement, disability and survivor benefits. Supplemental Security Income is not a qualifying income. Qualifying income from Veterans Affairs includes disability compensation, disability pension and survivor benefits. Qualifying Railroad Retirement Board benefits include the social security equivalent portion of Tier I benefits. Also, those who are dependents or eligible to be dependents on another’s tax return are not eligible. People must have a valid Social Security Number unless their spouse is a member of the military.

The IRS has partnered with numerous organizations, including AARP, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, National Council on Aging, Community Action Partnership, United Way, National League of Cities, National Disability Institute and National Community Tax Coalition. These organizations also are conducting outreach efforts to older Americans and veterans.

Those who already have filed a 2007 tax return but who have not yet received an economic stimulus payment, can check on the status of your payment by going to “Where’s My Economic Stimulus Payment?” on the IRS.gov Web site.

People also can call 1-866-234-2942 to check on the status of the stimulus payment. Pertinent information such as social security numbers (the one listed first on the 2007 return), filing status (single, married, etc) and the number of exemptions claimed on the return should be at hand while on the phone.