June 24, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Internal Revenue Service says more than a quarter million retirees and disabled veterans in the Carolinas have not filed a return to qualify for a tax rebate.

Those people are qualified for an economic stimulus check even though they don't normally file a tax return because their government benefits are not taxable. The IRS says that recipients of Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits must file by Oct. 15 to receive the rebate of at least $300.

The IRS says about 24 percent of qualifying veterans and retirees still have not filed returns in North Carolina. About 22 percent have not done so in South Carolina.

The revenue service also plans to send reminders this summer to qualifying individuals who have not claimed the rebate.

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)