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INCOME TAXES

Want $600? File tax return

Wednesday is the deadline for filing a tax return if you want to get your economic stimulus payment this year.

mhatcher@MiamiHerald.com

There are still almost a million Floridians who haven't received their $600 tax rebate yet. And Wednesday is the deadline to file a return to claim the free money. Economic stimulus checks were sent out several months ago to most working Americans, seniors on Social Security and people getting disability payments.

The cash payments are part of an $168 billion economic stimulus package passed earlier this year giving up to $600 to individuals when they file a tax return and $300 to seniors and people on disability.

Seniors and others who don't usually file must send in a tax return to get the money.

The IRS estimates thousands will miss out on the free payments because they don't send in the forms. So far, 878,000 Floridians have yet to file returns as well as about 300,000 eligible seniors and low-income people.

If you wouldn't normally file, here are the instructions to claim your rebate, otherwise just file your taxes as usual.

• You need IRS Form 1040A. You can get one by visiting the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Free tax preparation sites also can help. To find the one nearest you, call 311 in Miami-Dade, or 211 in Broward. The forms also are available at post offices.

• Once you have the form, write ''STIMULUS PAYMENT'' in large letters across the top.

• Fill in the boxes for your name, address, Social Security number and filing status. Check box 6a for yourself or your spouse. (If someone claims you as a dependent, you cannot receive a rebate.)

• On line 14a of Form 1040A, put in the amount you received in Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration should have mailed you a form in January with the total amount you received last year. If you no longer have it, just multiply the amount you get monthly by 12.

• Sign the form and mail it to: Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Atlanta, GA 39901-0099.

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