The IRS is taking a cue from aspiring comedians and Barack Obama aficionados this week, making use of YouTube to get its message out.

The agency produced four 30-second public service announcements that tell viewers how to claim their tax rebate from the economic stimulus plan.

The rebates range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1,200 for married couples filing jointly. Each YouTube video features an IRS employee standing in front of an American flag.

The videos were put on the Web site starting Friday through the American Payroll Association's YouTube channel. The videos are getting mixed reviews from young YouTube watchers.

"I don't see myself or anyone else I know looking for IRS information on YouTube," Michele Meyer, a 22-year-old Ithaca College senior from Stanhope, N.J., said in an e-mail.

Tax return assistance available for seniors

Seniors and others who may not normally file income tax returns must do so this year if they want to receive an economic stimulus payment from the federal government.

More than 130 million U.S. households will receive the payment starting in May.

To be eligible for the payments, individuals must have a valid Social Security number and file a federal tax return showing a qualifying income of at least $3,000.

Social Security recipients and recipients of certain veterans� benefits and railroad retirement benefits can count those benefits toward the $3,000 requirement. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count as qualifying income, according to IRS information.

Filing a tax return is necessary, though, to obtain the payment ($300 or more for individuals, and $600 or more for joint filers).

1099 Pro, Inc. and IRSCompliance Announce New Comprehensive Offerings to Address New and Proposed IRS Legislation

IRSCompliance, Inc., the Regulatory Compliance Services Arm of 1099 Pro, Inc., announced today that United States businesses may be significantly impacted by new and proposed IRS legislation and initiatives during the next few years.

Jerry Michael, CEO of IRSCompliance, Inc. and former Chief of IRS Information Returns Branch stated that there are proposed or current tax laws that:

Michael stated that these items are in addition to current IRS compliance/audit initiatives to enforce the reporting requirements currently in place.

"Companies should focus on evaluating the components of their current procedures and be proactive in reviewing new and proposed legislation to determine the impact," said Michael. "Companies need to identify any financial risk attributed to non-compliance regarding information reporting and withholding requirements."

If risks are identified, companies should consider developing and implementing a plan to minimize exposure to an IRS audit.