US will save millions-on the backs of poor seniors

There are times when government truly embarrases me. Many times it's the way that they deal with our senior citizens, especially our low income seniors.

This hits home for me because of have a mom and dad that fall into this category and I constantly have to be on the lookout for them.

The latest boondoggle - the economic stimulus package passed in it's full wisdom by our beloved congress and signed into law by our chimp in chief.

***UPDATE*** Link to the IRS bulletin that spells out what social security recipients must do is here.

As everyone knows, we are going to magically jumpstart our economy by sending everyone a check. Initially low income seniors, who rely upon social security, were going to be left out of this largesse. At the last minute, they were included to the tune of $300. Not a lot, but when you receive $6360 a year, it's a lot of money.

However, in order to receive your check, YOU MUST FILE AN INCOME TAX RETURN. Sounds logical, doesn't it. Except millions of seniors are not required to file an income tax form because their only source of income is social security and their income levels are too low. For many, they haven't filed an income tax return in years.

So suddenly they are all supposed to magically realize 1) they need to file an income tax return 2) have kept their 1099SSA forms and 3) have the faintest idea how to actually go about doing this.

I find it appalling that our legislators and our administration did not see the need to have the internal revenue system come up with a way to automatically take care of these citizens. Surely if they are able to determine that they didn't need to file a return then they could come up with a way to send them their measly $300.

When I asked my parents if they new about this, their response was "we don't have to file taxes" or "the neighbor said the checks were already on the way to us." At first they said they had thrown away their 1099 SSA's (I would image a lot do.) Fortunately, it was the tax forms sent to them by the IRS that they threw away - they managed to find their 1099's.

I would suspect they are not alone. The vast majority of seniors who don't file income tax forms will have no idea that there is $300 waiting for them out there, but they have to submit a 1040A.

It wasn't a big deal for me to create a 1040A for each of them and send it up to them so they'll get their $300.

Please make a point of asking every parent or senior you know if they're aware they have to file a tax return to get their opportunity to help restore our economy. (snark intended)

For my parents, it will help pay for a tank of heating oil this winter. For many others, it will make a big difference in their lives.