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Entry bubble Thanks to the Folks at the IRS

By: Ginger | January 30, 2009 | Category: General

Person filling out tax formMy husband worked for the IRS for 10 years. At social gatherings people would ask him what he did and he would say, “I work for the IRS.” Typically someone would respond with negative comments about taxes, the IRS, or the government, in general. My husband would politely listen to the comments. One time, this person began ranting at him as if he, as an IRS employee, was personally pocketing all the tax dollars collected to buy a Porsche and some bonbons. The look in my husband’s eyes said he’d had enough. Not known for holding back when he is annoyed, he proceeded to… well, let’s just say, nothing brings a friendly barbecue to a screeching halt like three simple words and a full moon in the middle of the day.

The thing is, most people think they pay too much in taxes—even IRS employees do—but our tax dollars are paying for services and programs that help all of us. Here are just a few examples:

The Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Trade Commission, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Reserve Board, the National Credit Union Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulate financial and commercial matters. They assist consumers to protect their hard-earned dollars.

The Department of Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission, the United States Postal Service, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy regulate infrastructure, utilities, and basic services.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education are agencies concerned with the health, benefits, education, and welfare of our citizens.

The Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of State, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Department of Justice are concerned with the defense, protection, and safety of our country and our citizens either home or abroad.

To see all of government’s services and programs go to USA.gov.

If there are some out there who would like to tell me how poorly they think these agencies are performing, go right ahead. Your tax dollars support a democratic government that ensures you have the right to state your opinions and complaints. Are your tax dollars being well spent? What needs to be improved? What government services do you receive or know of that you think are well worth your taxes?

| View Comments [17] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ginger   government_programs   government_services   taxes  

 

Entry bubble Resources for Seniors and Caregivers

By: Nancy | May 29, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

May is Older Americans Month. And while there are just a couple more days left in the month, as far as I'm concerned, people age 65 or better are worth honoring every day.

If you or someone you care about is in this age group, the information in USA.gov's Senior Citizens' Resources section can help make your life--and your loved one's--a little easier.

seniors picnickingAs time goes by, everybody thinks more about health. The Health for Seniors section is full of great resources to help in understanding Medicare's prescription drug coverage plan; dealing with changes in sleeping habits as you get older; and recognizing and managing depression. You can also use the drug interaction lookup page to find out how your medications, food and alcohol affect one another.

Money's important--especially when you’re on a fixed income. The Money and Taxes for Seniors section can help you with everything from creating or updating your will and estate plan to checking to see if, as a Social Security recipient, you're entitled to an economic stimulus payment this year.

Most people want to stay in their homes as long as possible as they age. See the Housing for Seniors section to find out how to make safety and other lifestyle modifications and to learn how to prevent falls around the house.

Seniors are common targets for scams. The Consumer Protection for Seniors section links to important resources like the Consumer Action Website to help you avoid getting swindled and learn how to fight for your rights as a consumer, and the Administration on Aging's Elder Rights and Resources page to help with legal assistance and advice.

Use the Education, Jobs and Volunteering for Seniors section to find out how using your years of experience and wisdom can help change your community or the world as you volunteer locally with Senior Corps, internationally with the Peace Corps or as you work for a company that values mature workers.

And if you're helping a senior family member or friend, use the Caregivers' Resources section to find out about respite and home health care agency options. Learn about providing long distance caregiving and getting support for yourself as you care for your loved one.

As a senior or a caregiver, what are some of the best resources you’ve found online to make your life easier?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: health   money   nancy   safety   senior   taxes  

 

Entry bubble Tips for Income Tax Owers

By: Jake | April 07, 2008 | Category: Money

It's no fun owing income taxes. The same day I came home a proud college graduate I received a bill from the IRS for $500 because I forgot to claim some freelance writing payments on my previous year's return. Suffice it to say, my graduation money didn't go towards a nice vacation or new guitar.

It's no surprise to me that last year the IRS received 61 percent of balance-due returns (people who owe) after April 15. Many people will be at the post office on April 15 this year, submitting their balance-due returns and filing extensions (even though their estimated tax amount will still be due April 15).Tax Keyboard Key

If you owe taxes it is important to pay the whole sum right away to avoid penalties and late fees. The IRS accepts checks, money orders, cashier's checks, credit cards, cash and electronic funds transfer. If you e-file you can file your return and set your payment to be made by electronic funds transfer from your bank on April 15.

If you owe and you do not have the money to pay, the IRS has payment plans. The IRS actually recommends you use a credit card or bank loan to make the payment in one lump sum, rather than pay their rates. Generally, credit cards and bank loans have a lower interest rate, so you should check with your bank.

Those of you who are due a refund for 2007 have probably already filed since 73 percent of people who were due a refund last year filed before April 15. I got a refund this year and put it towards a new toy (hint: it's not the cat).

Be sure to check with your state government for income tax filing deadlines. The deadline to file federal income taxes for 2007 is Tuesday of next week.

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: fees   penalties   taxes  

 

Entry bubble E-file Your Taxes!

By: Jake | March 03, 2008 | Category: Money

With changing tax laws, tax rebates checks and tax cats giving advice, there's a lot to consider when filing your taxes. E-filing can make things easier. It has for me.

For the last few years I have filed my taxes electronically. I have found e-file is more accurate and it saves me time number crunching. I also receive my refund quicker than I did when I mailed my refund. I'm not the only one that's found filing online easier. The Internal Revenue Service received nearly 80 million tax returns electronically in 2007 which accounted for nearly 60 percent of all returns they received. This is not just individuals; small businesses, charities and nonprofits can also e-file.Tax Computer Key

There are some things to think about before filing your taxes electronically. If your adjusted gross income is less than $54,000 you can file for free, but if it is more you will be charged for e-filing. Some states will accept your state tax return along with your federal return, but some will not. You should check to see how your state accepts online tax returns before you file. Also if you don't normally file a tax return, but are doing so for the tax rebate checks you should contact the IRS before e-filing to see if you are eligible.

For those who want to e-file, the IRS has a searchable database of local e-file providers as well as a list of online tax preparers. Though strict government laws won't allow me to endorse what it says (Oh, I'd only lose my job) and it's not a tip from their expert, the tax cat, you may want to check out the Consumerist post last week about how these online tax preparers rank.

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: e file   jake   online   taxes  

 

Entry bubble Tax Rebates for Americans

By: Sommer | February 15, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

Tax Refund Check Envelope


Tax season this year is the most exciting one for me and my husband yet since we’ll itemize so we can take our first ever mortgage interest deduction. And, in May we’ll be among the millions of Americans who will also receive the famed tax rebate checks the government has talked about for the last month.

In order to qualify, Americans will have had to file their 2007 tax returns. The IRS will then use your return to determine your eligibility for the rebate. They anticipate that singles with incomes under $75,000 will receive a maximum of $600 and for married people with incomes under $150,000 the checks will max out at $1,200. Households will also receive $300 additional for each dependent child under 17. Low-income Americans and beneficiaries of certain government programs have special eligibility.

Keep your eyes open for fraud since this new rebate provides the perfect opportunity for scamsters to take advantage of the unsuspecting public. The IRS will not call or email taxpayers about these payments! If you receive a scam email forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. Remember that the IRS will only contact you by mail about these payments.

Now that we’ve got business taken care of, I want to know what you’re planning to do with your check. Will you go on a vacation, invest it, use it to pay off debt or something else? We’re planning to use ours to start a college savings plan for our new son.

| View Comments [23] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: family   irs   money   rebate   refund   sommer   taxes  

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