HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS MISSING OUT

Hundreds of area residents have failed to qualify for the federal government's "economic stimulus payments," according to the Internal Revenue Service.

IRS officers report that 113 residents of Cameron County and 408 in Potter County have not filed tax returns that trigger the stimulus payments.

Another 1,500 people in McKean and Elk counties have not claimed their payments. Statewide, about 25 percent of eligible recipients have failed to file.

Although April 15 was the tax return filing deadline, stimulus recipients have until Oct. 15 to file a return to qualify for the stimulus payment. Only a few lines of the IRS form 1040A must be completed and mailed to the IRS in order to receive payment.

Eligible individuals are receiving up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17.

Most people only needed to file a tax return as they normally do.

However, many retirees and veterans do not normally file a tax return because their benefi ts a re n ot t axable.

This year, they must file in order to receive an economic stimulus payment.