IRS Launches Summer Push to Reach Retirees and Disabled Veterans Who Have Yet to File for Their Economic Stimulus Payments - IR-2008-80

Sep 19, 2026

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IRS announces a summer campaign aimed at retirees and disabled veterans who qualify for 2008 economic stimulus payments but have not yet filed to claim them. The release cites updated statistics showing most in the target group have already been accounted for, while about 5.2 million potential recipients remain. It explains eligibility amounts, payment timing expectations, the filing deadline, and that stimulus payments are not taxable. IRS plans outreach via letters, partner organizations, and free face-to-face tax preparation, supported by local Taxpayer Assistance Centers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Who is eligible and what to file

Payment amounts and tax treatment

Outreach and support resources

| Media Relations Office | Washington, D.C. | Media Contact: 202.622.4000 | | --- | --- | --- | | [www.irs.gov/newsroom](www.irs.gov/newsroom) | | Public Contact: 800.829.1040 | IRS Launches Summer Push to Reach Retirees and Disabled Veterans Who Have Yet to File for Their Economic Stimulus Payments IR-2008-80, June 19, 2008 WASHINGTON—The Internal Revenue Service today announced a new summer campaign to reach those retirees and disabled veterans who qualify for the economic stimulus payment but have not filed to claim it. New statistics released today indicate about 74 percent in this group are accounted for in the stimulus payments currently being sent, leaving about 5.2 million potential recipients remaining. For all taxpayers, the IRS has issued 76.5 million payments worth $63.8 billion based on 2007 tax returns processed so far. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year’s end. Eligible individuals are receiving up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17. “The IRS has delivered. Only 70 days after the legislation became law, the IRS started putting the money in the hands of tens of millions of Americans. This summer, we will go the extra mile to help the remaining retirees and disabled veterans get their payments,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner. A special stimulus category includes recipients of certain benefits from Social Security and Veterans Affairs who do not normally have a requirement to file a tax return. However, these individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payments. The IRS has accounted for 74 percent of Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries out of about 20 million initially identified as being potential stimulus recipients. All but 5.2 million of those have been accounted for as either having filed a return, having filed a joint return, or as not being eligible for a stimulus payment (for example, they were claimed as a dependent on another’s return) . Most people only need to file a tax return as they normally do. The IRS will calculate eligibility and the payment amount. However, many retirees and veterans do not normally file a tax return because their benefits are not taxable. This year, they must file in order to receive an economic stimulus payment. Shulman also stressed to retirees that receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received. The stimulus payment is not taxable. Absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again. The IRS has identified 5.2 million retirees and veterans' beneficiaries who potentially are eligible for the stimulus payments. Later this summer, the agency will send them a special letter that explains stimulus payment eligibility and how to claim it. The letter will include a sample tax form and an actual tax form that people can complete and mail to the IRS. This will be the second special mailing to reach those individuals. The IRS also is working with members of Congress, state and local officials and national partners such as AARP, the National Council on Aging, United Way of America, National Disability Institute and others to continue its extensive outreach efforts to the retiree and veterans’ communities through the summer. The IRS will take the lead in coordinating face-to-face free tax preparation sessions with the help of local community partners at locations where these individuals live, work and socialize such as senior housing, Veterans Affairs hospitals and assisted living facilities. The agency also reminded people that it has more than 400 local Taxpayer Assistance Centers operating normal business hours Monday through Friday. These centers can provide assistance to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payment

FAQs

Which groups are the IRS targeting in this summer campaign?

The IRS is targeting retirees and disabled veterans who qualify for the economic stimulus payment but have not filed to claim it.

What filing requirement and deadline apply for those who normally do not file?

Qualifying individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payments. The IRS notes many retirees and veterans must file this year even if their benefits are not taxable.

Are economic stimulus payments taxable, and will filing affect other federal benefits?

The stimulus payment is not taxable. Receiving it should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received, absent other filing requirements.

Sep 19, 2026

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