More than 3,000 El Dorado County residents, including some 541 from the South Lake Tahoe area, who didn't file taxes this year qualify to receive an economic stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service.

The checks are available to qualified veterans, taxpayers and retirees who did not fill out a 1040A tax form this year, said Kathy Howell, an IRS spokeswoman.

On the Nevada side of the lake, there are 807 Douglas County residents who qualify, including 68 from Stateline, 65 from Zephyr Cove and 10 from the Glenbrook area, Howell said.

The IRS is sending these residents a second information packet regarding their qualifications for the economic stimulus check, approved earlier this year by Congress. In Northern California, there are about 90,000 taxpayers who are eligible for the money but have yet to file for their stimulus payment, Howell said.

"All it takes is a few simple steps, and the payment can be on its way. It's not too late to file, but the sooner people file, the faster they'll receive their money," Howell said. "If you know someone this may apply to, please share this information with them."

The packages will contain everything needed by a person who normally does not have a filing requirement but who must file this year in order to receive an economic stimulus payment.The packages will be mailed over a three-week period starting July 21.

The mailing is part of an IRS summer campaign to reach out to those people who have no requirement to file a tax return but who may be eligible for a stimulus payment of up to $300 ($600 for married filing jointly). For those eligible for a payment for themselves, there also is a $300-per-child payment for eligible children younger than 17.

As of July 11, the IRS had issued 112.4 million payments totaling $91.8 billion. Payments are based on 2007 tax returns being filed this year. People must file by Oct. 15 in order to receive a payment in 2008. Those who do not file a tax return to obtain their stimulus payment this year still may receive their stimulus payments by filing a 2008 tax return next spring, but then their stimulus payment would be based on their 2008 qualifying income.