Some people don’t normally file a federal income-tax return because their income falls below a certain level.

If you fall into this category, keep in mind that you’re still eligible for a rebate, but you must file a return – even though you wouldn’t have to otherwise.

Filing a return is important because it gives the Internal Revenue Service the information it needs to process the rebate, such as your name, address and Social Security number.

You should make the effort, because there’s money on the table that’s yours for the taking — $300 if you’re single, $600 if you’re married and file a joint return.

Overall, about 22,000 Rhode Islanders don’t normally file a return, are eligible for a rebate, but have yet to file in order to claim their rebate, the IRS recently said.

And last week, more details emerged. For example, of the 22,000, about 15,400 are 65 or older, and about 6,500 are younger than 65, according to IRS figures presented last week at a meeting at John Hope Settlement House, a community center in Providence’s West End.

Jodonna Powell, an IRS official, said that many of the 22,000 are located in some of Rhode Island’s largest cities and towns, including the following:

Providence, 4,235.

Cranston, 2,485.

Warwick, 1,793.

Pawtucket, 1,726.

Woonsocket, 1,232.

Johnston, 759.

East Providence, 662.

Coventry, 637.

West Warwick, 594.

Newport, 540.

Bristol, 503.

If everyone on this list stepped up and filed for rebates, they’d receive a total of at least $4.6 million, Powell said.

So, what to do if you’re among the overall group of 22,000? File a return. “You must file a tax return this year in order to be able to get the payment,” Powell said.

And there’s still time: You have until Oct. 15 to file; the U.S. Treasury will continue issuing rebates through Dec. 31.

Need help? It’s just a phone call away, said Anthony Maione, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Rhode Island.

You can find a volunteer site near you that prepares returns at no charge simply by calling the United Way’s hotline at 211, Maione said. (You need only dial those three digits; you’ll be connected automatically, and there’s no charge for the call.)

Over the last 12 months, the hotline has received about 106,000 calls, of which about 30,000 were seeking financial assistance, including tax-related information, Maione said.

TODAY’S TIP: If you’re in the category mentioned above, you generally qualify for a rebate if you had at least $3,000 in “qualifying income” last year, such as Social Security benefits or veterans benefits.

The IRS prefers that you file on U.S. Form 1040A. If you visit a volunteer site as mentioned above, you needn’t worry; the site will take care of the paperwork for you.

Otherwise, to obtain a free copy, visit your local IRS office (at 380 Westminster St., Providence, or 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick); call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 to have a copy mailed to you at no charge; or download a copy from the IRS Web site:

www.irs.gov

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