Millions remain unclaimed from stimulus package

To seniors and veterans: Uncle Sam wants your attention.

Tens of thousands of you in the Tampa Bay area have yet to claim your $300 tax rebate (also known as the economic stimulus payment). You have just five days to file if you want to see the money this year.

The money is part of the economic package the federal government created this year to help lift the sagging economy. With most everyone guarding nickels and dimes these days, the unclaimed money seems a treasure trove.

But as of Sept. 7, the Internal Revenue Service identified more than 21,000 seniors and veterans in Pinellas and more than 18,000 in Hillsborough and 9,500 in Pasco who had not claimed their money, placing the three counties among the Top 100 in the nation with the highest number of unclaimed funds. Statewide, some 317,000 seniors and veterans have yet to claim more than $95-million. Nationwide, 4.3-million people have not claimed their cash.

"These are seniors and veterans on fixed incomes who have yet to file and should file," said Mike Dobzinski, spokesman for the IRS for Florida.

The IRS began issuing notices about the unclaimed money in the summer, after the agency discovered 20-million low-income seniors, disabled veterans and others with disabilities were missing out on the tax rebate primarily because they do not normally have to file tax returns.

They were identified by reviewing the rolls of people who receive payments from the government.

Other low-income people who do not normally file taxes and were not included in the IRS review also could be affected, making the pool of potential recipients for the rebate even larger.

With the Oct. 15 deadline looming, Tracy Barrows at the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, said she has been getting an earful from seniors. Some already have filed and want to know when the check will arrive, while others say they need help filing for the rebate.

"Unfortunately, there are not that many places in the community to assist seniors," said Barrows, the agency's information and assistance coordinator.

Veterans affairs, aging offices and the American Association of Retired Persons have assisted seniors and veterans with filing, but with less than a week to go it's becoming increasingly difficult. Barrows recommends visiting a local IRS office, which can assist with the forms.

The money will not disappear if you don't file. It is possible to claim a rebate when taxes come due in April. But if you want a check this year, the IRS requires you to file a tax form by Oct. 15, which is also the deadline for those who sought an extension to file their taxes.

In Florida, 817,000 people filed for extensions and also must meet the Oct. 15 deadline if they want a rebate check this year.

"They potentially could be missing out, too," Dobzinski said.

Frank Strom, manager of Hillsborough County Veterans Affairs, said his agency has been reaching out to veterans. Using news conferences and brochures, he said he believes they have connected with many people but he wants to ensure no one is left out.

"Obviously, there are some veterans and seniors alike who have not claimed their money," said Frank Strom, manager of Hillsborough County Veterans Affairs. "There money's out there."

Ivan Penn can be reached at ipenn@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2332.