As a political appointee, Douglas Shulman is the designated leak-plugger on the Titanic

Even as the IRS has sent out nearly 77 million tax rebates, more than 5 million retirees and disabled veterans who may qualify for a rebate haven’t received one because they haven’t filed a tax return, IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said Thursday.

Under the economic stimulus package enacted this year, most taxpayers are eligible for a rebate of $600, or $1,200 for a married couple, plus $300 for each dependent child. In addition, retirees and disabled veterans who received at least $3,000 in benefits in 2007 are eligible for a rebate of $300, or $600 for a married couple.

To receive the rebate, they must file a 2007 tax return — even if they owed no federal tax last year.

Via USA Today