USA Government News

Tax Time Stress: IRS offers Tax Tips to Reduce Tax-Time Stress

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:44:00 +0000

You may not be thinking about your tax return right now, but summer is a great time to start planning for next year. Organized records not only make preparing your return easier, but may also remind you of relevant transactions, help you prepare a response if you receive an IRS notice, or substantiate items on your return if you are selected for an audit. Tax Time Stress: IRS offers Tax Tips to Reduce Tax-Time Stress

IRS Back-to-School Tips for Students and Parents Paying College Expenses

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:51:00 +0000

Whether you're a recent graduate going to college for the first time or a returning student, it will soon be time to get to campus – and payment deadlines for tuition and other fees are not far behind..... IRS Back-to-School Tips for Students and Parents Paying College Expenses

Correction: U.S. Federal Rating: Standard & Poor Lowers Rating of the U.S. Government from AAA to AA+

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:11:00 +0000

Earlier today, Standard & Poor's rating agency lowered the long-term rating of the U.S. government and federal agencies from AAA to AA+. With regard to this action, the federal banking agencies are providing the following guidance to banks, savings associations, credit unions, and bank and savings and loan holding companies (collectively, banking organizations. U.S. Federal Rating: Standard & Poor Lowers Lowers Rating of the U.S. Government from AAA to AA+

U.S. Federal Rating: Standard & Poor Lowers Lowers Rating of the U.S. Government from AAA to AA+

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:49:00 +0000

Bank Closure:Heartland Bank and Trust Company, Bloomington, Illinois, Assumes All of the Deposits of Bank of Shorewood, Shorewood, Illinois

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Bank of Shorewood, Shorewood, Illinois, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Division of Banking, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver.Bank Closure:Heartland Bank and Trust Company, Bloomington, Illinois, Assumes All of the Deposits of Bank of Shorewood, Shorewood, Illinois

IRS Identifies Organizations that Have Lost Tax-Exempt Status

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:05:00 +0000

The Internal Revenue Service today announced that approximately 275,000 organizations under the law have automatically lost their tax-exempt status because they did not file legally required annual reports for three consecutive years. IRS Identifies Organizations that Have Lost Tax-Exempt Status

Tax Day 2011: How to Find What You Need Before Tax

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:44:00 +0000

With the Monday, April 18th federal income tax deadline rapidly approaching the IRS wants remind taxpayers about the self-help tools that are available to make filing taxes easier. Tax Day 2011: How to Find What You Need Before Tax

IRS: Beware of Tax Scams

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:11:00 +0000

The IRS wants taxpayers to be aware of tax scams. These scams are illegal and can lead to problems for taxpayers including significant penalties, interest and possible criminal prosecution. IRS: Beware of Tax Scams

FCC Announces Cell Jammers, GPS Jammers, and Other Jamming Devices Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:16:00 +0000

In recent years, the number of websites offering "cell jammers" or similar devices designed to block communications and create a "quiet zone" in vehicles, schools, theaters, restaurants, and other places has increased substantially. FCC Announces Cell Jammers, GPS Jammers, and Other Jamming Devices Campaign

In Vitro Fertilization: Risks & Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:15:00 +0000

I hadn't given much thought to the possibility of multiples because I knew going into it that, at age 41, my chances of conceiving at all with In Vitro Fertilization were not great. When the doctor confirmed, after four weeks of ultrasounds, that there were definitely two babies, I was thrilled. In Vitro Fertilization: Risks & Blessings

Bank Overdraft Fees Policy: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Overdraft Fees

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:48:00 +0000

An overdraft can occur when you try to spend more money than you have available in your checking account. For example, let's assume you have $40 in your account. You ask the phone company to electronically deduct $35 from your checking account to pay the bill. You now have $5 available. Next, you use your debit card to make a $10 purchase. Bank Overdraft Fees Policy: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Overdraft Fees

FTC's Mortgage Relief Scams Ban Takes Effect

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:56:00 +0000

The advance fee ban under the FTC's Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule is designed to protect financially distressed homeowners from mortgage relief scams that have sprung up during the mortgage crisis FTC's Mortgage Relief scams Ban Takes Effect

IRS: Important Tax Law Changes for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Taxpayers should make sure they are aware of many important changes to the tax law before they complete their 2010 federal income tax return. IRS: Important Tax Law Changes for 2010

IRS: Five Tax Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:30:00 +0000

If you changed your name as a result of a recent marriage or divorce you'll want to take the necessary steps to ensure the name on your tax return matches the name registered with the Social Security Administration. IRS: Five Tax Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers

IRS: Making Work Pay Credit Important Facts

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:37:00 +0000

Many working taxpayers are eligible for the Making Work Pay Tax Credit in 2010. The credit is based on earned income and is claimed on your 2010 tax return when you file your taxes in 2011. IRS: Making Work Pay Credit Important Facts

Top 10 Reasons to Visit the IRS Website

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:03:00 +0000

Top 10 Reasons to Visit the IRS Website Don't wait in line, go online. Point and click your way through the tax season. All you need is a computer and Internet access because the IRS website has a wealth of free information and online tax support. Top 10 Reasons to Visit the IRS Website

Avoiding Internet Scams:10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:08:00 +0000

Con artists often insist that people wire money, especially overseas, because it's nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money. Donate wire money to strangers, to sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment, or to someone who claims to be a relative in an emergency (and wants to keep the request a secret.. Avoiding Internet Scams:10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

IRS: In 2011, Many Tax Benefits Increase Slightly Due to Inflation Adjustments

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:54:00 +0000

In 2011, personal exemptions and standard deductions will rise and tax brackets will widen due to inflation, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. IRS: In 2011, Many Tax Benefits Increase Slightly Due to Inflation Adjustments

Commercial Fundraisers Companies: California Releases Report Detailing Use of Funds of Commercial Fundraisers

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:52:00 +0000

The annual report on commercial fundraisers released today found commercial fundraisers in California raised $391.5 million in 2009 but charitable organizations received less than 43% of those funds Commercial Fundraisers Companies: California Releases Report Detailing Use of Funds of Commercial Fundraisers

Internet Scams: Don't Get Scammed this Holiday Season says FBI

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:55:00 +0000

Be wary of e-mails or text messages that indicate a problem or question regarding your financial accounts. Criminals will attempt to direct victims to click a link or call a number to update an account or correct a purported problem. The links may appear to lead you to legitimate websites, but they are not. Any personal information you share on them could be compromised. Internet Scams: Don't Get Scammed this Holiday Season says FBI

Online Dating Scams: Sending Money in the Name of Love

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:52:00 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, warns that scammers sometimes use online dating and social networking sites to try to convince people to send money in the name of love. Online Dating Scams: Sending Money in the Name of Love

New Medicare Premiums for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:43:00 +0000

The following is a listing of the Medicare premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates that will be in effect in 2011...New Medicare Premiums for 2011

Government Jobs: January 2011 Internship Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:42:00 +0000

USICH is seeking graduate students to support its work on behalf of the nation's homeless population. Varied assignments, depending on who interned is assigned to, may include, but not be limited to:Research and compilation of information, statistics, studies, etc. on housing related issues; Coordination of activities, meetings, forums and USICH initiatives with federal, state, local and private stakeholders around the U.S.;• Assistance with and support for communications activities to include website content, outreach, and social media.........Government jobs: January 2011 Internship Opportunities

Consumer's Guide to Credit Reports and Credit Scores

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:40:00 +0000

Your credit history is important to a lot of people: mortgage lenders, banks, utility companies, prospective employers, and more. So it's especially important that you understand your credit report, credit score, and the companies that compile that information, credit bureaus. The Federal Reserve Board--provides answers to some of the most common, and most important, questions about credit. Credit Reports: Consumer's Guide to Credit Reports and Credit Scores

IRS: Nearly 70 Percent of Taxpayers Used IRS e-file in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:39:00 +0000

WASHINGTON -- Nearly 99 million individuals filed their federal income tax returns electronically during 2010, a 3 percent increase in the IRS e-file rate. Of the 141.5 million returns filed so far this year, almost 70 percent were filed electronically. Each year, more taxpayers chose to e-file their tax returns. Last year, nearly 95 million taxpayers or 67 percent used e-file. In the past decade, the number of individual tax returns e-filed has increased by 145 percent. The overall number of individual tax returns increased only by 8 percent. IRS e-file is no longer is the exception; now it is the norm. IRS: Nearly 70 Percent of Taxpayers Used IRS e-file in 2010