in county haven’t filed for stimulus checks

More than 2,600 Warren County residents — roughly 5 percent — have not filed a tax return, and thus have unclaimed economic stimulus checks worth a minimum of $300 per person. Residents who would like to claim stimulus checks have until Oct. 15 to file Form 1040A with the Internal Revenue Service.

“That’s a lot of people who have money coming to them,” said Vicksburg Planning Department employee Leona Stringer of the 2,672 Warren County residents who have not claimed checks due to them. “If you are unsure if you have a check coming to you, the first thing you should do is call the IRS assistance line.”

Stringer said many of those in Warren County who have not filed for a tax return are likely elderly, disabled or did not make enough money last year to require them to file a return. Although they have no tax liability and are not required to file a tax return, they must still file a return to receive one of the checks approved by Congress in February.

At a glance

• Free assistance is available by calling the IRS at 1-866-234-2942.

• More information about economic stimulus checks is available at www.irs.gov.

The law contains a special provision allowing low-wage workers with at least $3,000 in qualified income, Social Security benefits, disability payments from the Veterans Administration or a retired railroad worker’s pension to receive a stimulus check.

Stringer estimated the potential total value of the unclaimed checks in Warren County equals at least $801,000. Statewide, 70,880 residents have not claimed stimulus checks equalling an estimated $21.2 million.  

Eligible individuals can receive a stimulus check between $300 and $600, while joint filers can receive between $600 and $1,200 with an additional $300 for each qualifying child.

Residents in neighboring counties also have unclaimed stimulus checks in the following numbers: Issaquena, 117; Yazoo, 1,220; Hinds, 9,118; and Claiborne, 193.

The Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library has a booklet of tax return forms, such as the Form 1040A, from which people can make copies.