IRS office in Honolulu helping facilitate stimulus payments

The Internal Revenue Service's office in Honolulu will be open March 29 to help people file a tax return to get a rebate called the "Economic Stimulus Payment."

The IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, located at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to a release, the service is part of a nationwide campaign called "Super Saturday," and March 29 is "Economic Stimulus Payment Day."

Also, the Oahu Veterans Center will be open on March 29 and April 5 to assist Hawaii Veterans and Social Security benefit recipients who are receiving certain benefits and/or Rail Road Retirement Benefits. They normally are not required to file, but must do so to get the rebate. The center, at 1298 Kukila St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These 24-hour phone numbers give the locations and hours of operations of free tax preparation sites: AARP Tax-Aide at (888) 227-7669; or Aloha United Way at (877) 275-6569, or AUW Hotline at 211.

About 70,000 people in Hawaii will qualify for the rebate, the release said. To qualify:

» People must have at least $3,000 of qualifying income in any combination income from Social Security retirement, disability or survivors' benefits.

» Disability compensation, disability pension or survivors' benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

» Tier 1 benefits from Railroad Retirement, certain combat pay and earned income from wages, salaries, tips or net earnings from self-employment that are included in taxable income.

People could be eligible for the minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples) even if they are not normally required to file a tax return because their income falls below the filing requirement. There also is an additional payment of $300 for people with eligible children younger than 17 as of Dec. 31, 2007.

For more information, visit www.IRS.gov.