Don't let tax rebate foul up your return

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Friday, February 15, 2002

WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service has received more than 1 million tax returns containing errors related to the tax rebate checks sent out last year.

This year's income tax returns contain a new line so that people who didn't get a check or got less than the maximum benefit can claim a credit -- if they qualify.

The checks, part of the 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut enacted last year, were for up to $300 for individuals, $500 for heads of households and $600 for married couples.

The most frequent mistakes seen by the IRS are:

- Taxpayers who enter the full amount on the line when it should be left blank because they already received the full amount.

- Dependents who claim the credit. Only those who were dependents in 2000 but not in 2001 can qualify for the credit. A worksheet in the instructions is available to figure this out.

- Taxpayers who leave the line blank even though they qualify for the credit.

- Figuring the credit incorrectly.

More information

Information on how to properly handle the tax credit is available online at www.irs.gov, in the instructions with tax forms and by calling the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 or 800-829-4477 for a recorded message.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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