Why no stimulus check for us?

Question

My wife and I draw SS but these figures don't go on tax form just my military retirement check of $14398. We always get a refund, we claim 2 (just she and I) we're both 70 yoa.. I checked online as to where my stimulus check was and they replied that I DIDN'T qualify because my income wasn't enought. I read that anything over $3000 qualified . Is it because we got a refund that we're not getting a check?? HELP

Answer 1

As long as your SSA benefits were more than $3000, you qualified.

The IRS rebate progam seems to have a problem if a taxpayer listed both their SSA income and any other retirement income on the form.  Eg, if you but the pension on the pension line.  The code seemed to look at the other lines and go, nope, doesn't qualify.

Do a 1040X, write stimulus at the top, skip all numbered lines and write "Please calculate my stimulus" "My SSA benefits were $xxxx." sign and send in.

Answer 2

Did you list your SS benefits on line 14(a) and/or (b)? This goes on Form 1040A for the tax stimulus check. If not, I suggest you refile as soon as possible Form 1040X Ammended Return.

Answer 3

To receive a rebate check you must either have a minimum tax liability of $600 or minimum Qualifying Income of $3,000.  Your military retirement pension is not Qualifying Income for the rebates, however your SS retirement benefits ARE.  If you filed your 2007 return without showing that income on line 14a of Form 1040-A or line 20a of Form 1040 then that is why you are not receiving your stimulus plan rebate.

Even though your SSR benefits are not taxable, you are STILL required to report them on the appropriate line on your tax return!  Lines 14a (1040-A) and 20a (1040) are just for that purpose -- to report non-taxable SS benefits.

Unfortunately if you have already filed your 2007 return it is too late to correct the error now.  Most errors can be corrected by filing an amended return but the rebates are not in that mix; they are based upon the original return as filed.  You must wait until you file your 2008 return next year.  When you do, be SURE to report the non-taxable Social Security that you received on the appropriate line.  Then you will be eligible to receive the rebate along with whatever refund you are entitled to then.

Answer 4

Retirement pensions other than SS, railroad retirement, or VA pensions don't count toward the income required for the stimulus payment.  You needed to list your SS income on your return, even though you normally wouldn't.

But you can still fix this, and get your $600 total for you and your wife.  File an amended return on form 1040X, and on the back in Part II - explanation of changes, write "Also received $x*x of social security benefits, not shown on my original return.  Please recalculate my stimulus payment."

Answer 5

The stimulus check is starting to look like a sham.  I received a notice at the beginning of the week that I was eligible for $600, and that it would arrive by the end of the week.  On Friday, I got a check for only 44% of the amount I was told to expect.  Plus, I got a letter saying my filing status on my tax return was denied, and that I owed the government more money than I got back via the stimulus check.  The government taketh, and the government taketh.

Answer 6

Bostonianinmo's answer is incorrect. You CAN file an amended return to report your Social Security income. Be sure to put "Stimulus Payment" on the top of the 1040X form, and "Please re-calculate my stimulus payment" in Part II and list the total SSA income.