According to the IRS, more than 2,700 Napa County seniors and veterans remain eligible to receive a 2008 economic stimulus payment, but have yet to apply.

“Some people may not know they are entitled to the payment, or may think that it is too late since the tax day deadline has passed,” wrote IRS spokesman Jesse Weller.

The deadline to file a 2007 tax return is Wednesday, Oct. 15.

A number of seniors and veterans don’t normally file taxes because they have very little taxable income, explained Weller, but individuals must file a tax return in order to receive a payment.

“Don’t lose out on your stimulus payment,” said Weller. Most would receive up to $300 if single or $600 if married.

Besides filing a tax return, retirees must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income from earned income, certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement, and nontaxable combat pay.

This is isn’t the first notice to retirees and disabled veterans about the payment. Previous IRS efforts included face-to-face free tax preparation sessions, and mailings to educate those eligible.

Most other eligible individuals can receive stimulus payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) or the amount of the taxpayer’s 2007 net income tax liability, whichever is less. There also is a $300 payment for each qualifying child. There is an income phase-out, starting at adjusted gross income amounts of $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers.

Nearly 500,000 potentially eligible seniors and veterans in California have yet to file. Over 89,000 potential filers are located in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

The IRS has accounted for nearly 80 percent of the Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries initially identified as potentially eligible. The IRS has yet to hear from an estimated 4.2 million people who receive certain Social Security benefits and 178,000 who receive certain Veterans Affairs benefits.

The fastest way to obtain a simplified Form 1040A used to file for a stimulus payment is to go to IRS.gov or to a local IRS office.

A return also can be prepared and submitted for free at www.IRS.gov. For further assistance, call the toll-free Rebate Hotline at 1-866-234-2942 or visit the nearest IRS office at 777 Sonoma Ave. in Santa Rosa.

As of Aug. 29, the IRS has issued $93 billion in economic stimulus payments to 114.8 million individuals and families. Those who do not file a tax return to obtain their stimulus payment this year may still receive a stimulus credit by filing a 2008 tax return next spring, but then their stimulus payment would be based on their 2008 qualifying income.

Payment due

Napa County veterans and retirees who have not applied for an economic stimulus payment.

Napa    1,766

Yountville    421

American Canyon    193

Saint Helena    150

Calistoga    123

Angwin    49

Unincorporated    25

Total    2,727