Nearly 50,000 West Virginia retirees and disabled veterans still have not filed their tax returns to receive their economic stimulus payment, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Those recipients of Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits need to file tax returns by Oct. 15 this year to receive the rebate, even though they normally do not have to file.

An 11 percent rise in filings this year in West Virginia is partially because of groups that do not normally file with the Internal Revenue Service, said IRS spokesman Eric Erickson. As of May, 814,000 West Virginians, including senior citizens, had filed.

According to the IRS, 78 percent of retirees and veterans in the state still need to complete the paperwork to see if they are eligible for a check from the government. Of that, 5,600 people in Kanawha County have not filed.

"We're doing a lot of outreach this summer. It's just important for them to know that to get their rebate, they have to file this tax return," Erickson said. "It's a stereotype, but a lot of senior citizens may not be as Internet savvy and may not know to file."

The $300 to $600 check is not taxable and filing this year does not mean retirees will have to do so in the future.

Later this summer, the IRS will send a second letter to these groups as a reminder about filing to claim the rebate. It will contain a sample tax form and an actual form to complete and mail to the IRS.

Retirees should receive their return in about two to three weeks after they file the return. The IRS also is working with state and local agencies, as well as AARP and other organizations to get the word out about filing.

Community members also are encouraged to reach out to those who might not know they should file.

"If you've got family members - parents, aunts and uncles - make sure they know about it," Erickson said. "Just try to spread the word to people you know who may fall into this category."

For help with the forms, residents can visit West Virginia's IRS offices in Charleston, Bridgeport, Parkersburg, Huntington, Martinsburg or Sophia. These offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about filing tax returns, call the IRS at (800) 289-1040.

Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.

Nearly 50,000 West Virginia retirees and disabled veterans still have not filed their tax returns to receive their economic stimulus payment, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Those recipients of Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits need to file tax returns by Oct. 15 this year to receive the rebate, even though they normally do not have to file.

An 11 percent rise in filings this year in West Virginia is partially because of groups that do not normally file with the Internal Revenue Service, said IRS spokesman Eric Erickson. As of May, 814,000 West Virginians, including senior citizens, had filed.

According to the IRS, 78 percent of retirees and veterans in the state still need to complete the paperwork to see if they are eligible for a check from the government. Of that, 5,600 people in Kanawha County have not filed.

"We're doing a lot of outreach this summer. It's just important for them to know that to get their rebate, they have to file this tax return," Erickson said. "It's a stereotype, but a lot of senior citizens may not be as Internet savvy and may not know to file."

The $300 to $600 check is not taxable and filing this year does not mean retirees will have to do so in the future.

Later this summer, the IRS will send a second letter to these groups as a reminder about filing to claim the rebate. It will contain a sample tax form and an actual form to complete and mail to the IRS.

Retirees should receive their return in about two to three weeks after they file the return. The IRS also is working with state and local agencies, as well as AARP and other organizations to get the word out about filing.

Community members also are encouraged to reach out to those who might not know they should file.

"If you've got family members - parents, aunts and uncles - make sure they know about it," Erickson said. "Just try to spread the word to people you know who may fall into this category."

For help with the forms, residents can visit West Virginia's IRS offices in Charleston, Bridgeport, Parkersburg, Huntington, Martinsburg or Sophia. These offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about filing tax returns, call the IRS at (800) 289-1040.

Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.