Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray is imploring low- and moderate-income Ohio families to spend a few minutes on paperwork this weekend, so they can beat the deadline for claiming millions of dollars they’re owed. Next Wednesday, October 15, marks the final deadline for filing a 2007 income tax return, and even individuals who don’t normally need to file a return stand to get a check in the mail if they fill out some basic paperwork.

“Every penny makes a difference in tight economic times like these,” said Treasurer Cordray. “There are potentially tens of thousands of Ohioans who still haven’t claimed hundreds or thousands of dollars they’re qualified to get from the federal economic stimulus payment or from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Let’s not leave that money in Washington. Let’s bring it home to Ohio where it can do our families and our businesses some good.”

The Internal Revenue Service estimated in June that 5.2 million Americans who were eligible for economic stimulus payments had not yet filed returns to claim that money. This figure included 226,000 Ohioans believed to be owed more than $67 million in stimulus payments. More recent figures indicate the total of unclaimed stimulus payments nationwide still stands at 4.3 million.

To be eligible for an economic stimulus payment, an individual or family must have had $3,000 of qualifying income in 2007. That includes not only earned income but also income from Social Security benefits or Veterans Affairs benefits. The resulting payments range from $300 to $600 per person, plus another $300 for each qualifying child.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit which has existed since 1975, and is designed to reward low-income wage earners. Individuals or families who made $12,590 to $39,783 in 2007 may be eligible. Benefits range from $428 to $4,716. It is generally estimated that anywhere from 5 to 25% of those who qualify for this credit fail to claim it.

Low- and moderate-income Ohioans who need help in filling out the necessary tax return forms can get free assistance through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, or through the Ohio Benefit Bank. To find locations for these free tax preparation programs, call the IRS at 800-906-9887 or the Ohio Benefit Bank at 800-648-1176.