Income Tax Deadline

Across the United States, millions of people still have yet to claim their share of $1.3 billion in stimulus payments.

In a slumping economy every cent matters, yet as of Tuesday, the IRS tells ABC 3 almost $47 million sits unclaimed by Michigan residents.

Wednesday is the last day to file for your economic stimulus check, and so far there are more than 566,000 people in the state of Michigan who have yet to do so.

In Ingham County 3,375 people still haven't filed, in Eaton County that number totals 1,070, and 842 still have yet to file in Clinton County.

Those at AARP say retirees, seniors and disabled veterans make up the largest group of people missing out on their checks, there are a number of reasons these people haven't filed yet.

The communications director from the AARP, Stepheni Schlinker, tells us, "its people who in many cases are homebound, they may be people who have disabilities who aren't getting out there and seeing this in the newspapers or seeing it on TV or wherever, we try to get to them in any way that we can."

As of last month the IRS had issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to nearly 115 million Americans, but Schlinker says it is critical the rest of the money is claimed, "its really important because $300 or $600 whichever one you qualify to get is so important to help pay bills, any amount of money that you can get right now helps".

According to the AARP, nearly 60% of people over 65 are having trouble paying for food and medicine, while 12% have had to postpone paying bills and 50% are struggling to afford utilities. Schlinker says it is clear that these people need the money...and AARP is hoping they can help them get it.

If you still need to file for a stimulus check visit:

The IRS

http://www.aarp.org/money/personal/articles/economic_stimulus_payment_questions.html

AARP 

http://www.irs.gov/file/index.html