Champaign County Service Prodivers: Event

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To register as a resource information provider, please complete the section below and email to Carlene Sands carlene@ctcn.net no later than March 25th. Please put Project Connect Registration in the subject line.

Table and chair(s) will be provided. Being ready to start at 5 pm is appreciated.  You may set up as early as 12:00 if you wish.

My Name/Title:

Name of my agency:

Services that you provide:

Person(s) who will be present:

Phone:

Email: 

Do I need table space that is against a wall?

Do I need electricity? 

Any other comments, questions, etc:

Woohoo Central Ohio!

Did you all see this in the weekly Tax Update Email?! Central Ohio Benefit Bank sites are doing AMAZING work!

Tax Site Spotlight:

• With the help of just four OBB counselors The Salvation Army of Marion, Ohio filed 121 state and federal returns last week. More than 85% of these were completed by just two counselors. Great work!

Do you know a tax counselor or tax site that is doing really great things this tax season? Reply to this e-mail (cambrose@oashf.org) with their name, organization, and why they are so great and you may see them in next week's Spotlights!

http://who-is-awesome.com/

Did you know: Back Taxes

Did you know you can help clients file up to three years of back taxes with the Ohio Benefit Bank?  Check out this article we recieved from the IRS, and help your clients potentially claim past credits!

IRS Has $1.1 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2007 Income Tax Return

Video: How to Request a Copy Your Tax Return: English
WASHINGTON — Refunds totaling more than $1.1 billion may be waiting for nearly 1.1 million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2007, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2007 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 18, 2011. 

The IRS estimates that half of these potential 2007 refunds are $640 or more.
Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. 

For 2007 returns, the window closes on April 18, 2011. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund. 

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2007 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2008 and 2009. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans. 

By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than a refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2007. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds, which in 2007 were $39,783 for those with two or more children, $35,241 for people with one child, and $14,590 for those with no children. For more information, visit the EITC Home Page. 

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2007, 2008 or 2009 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by ordering on-line, calling 1-800-908-9946, or by filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS. 

Individuals Who Did Not File a 2007 Return with a Potential Refund  in Ohio

AmeriCorps Outreach in Schools

One of our colleagues here at the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks wants to make sure all the high school students here in Central Ohio know about the option of joining AmeriCorps after high school, or planting the seed of AmeriCorps as an idea for after post-secondary education. 

If you are in a school or know a group of young people who you think would benefit from learning about AmeriCorps, you can contact Toni Metcalf who is an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader at OASHF.  Her contact information is:

Toni Metcalf

E-mail: tmetcalf@oashf.org

Office: 614-221-4336 ext 248

Cell: 614-361-8102

Struggling Taxpayers = clients

Considering The Benefit Bank helps "low to moderate income" Ohioans file their taxes for free, our sites see plenty of clients that are struggling to make ends meet.  Many times once the go through The Benefit Bank they get a return, which helps put money back in their pockets and back into the local economy.  What happens when a client ends up owing to the IRS?  Read the publication below to discover changes in the "lien process."

 

IRS Announces New Effort to Help Struggling Taxpayers Get a Fresh Start; Major Changes Made to Lien Process 

WASHINGTON — In its latest effort to help struggling taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service today announced a series of new steps to help people get a fresh start with their tax liabilities.
The goal is to help individuals and small businesses meet their tax obligations, without adding unnecessary burden to taxpayers. Specifically, the IRS is announcing new policies and programs to help taxpayers pay back taxes and avoid tax liens.
“We are making fundamental changes to our lien system and other collection tools that will help taxpayers and give them a fresh start,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “These steps are good for people facing tough times, and they reflect a responsible approach for the tax system.”
Today’s announcement centers on the IRS making important changes to its lien filing practices that will lessen the negative impact on taxpayers. The changes include:

• Significantly increasing the dollar threshold when liens are generally issued, resulting in fewer tax liens.
• Making it easier for taxpayers to obtain lien withdrawals after paying a tax bill.
• Withdrawing liens in most cases where a taxpayer enters into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement.
• Creating easier access to Installment Agreements for more struggling small businesses.
• Expanding a streamlined Offer in Compromise program to cover more taxpayers.

“These steps are in the best interest of both taxpayers and the tax system,” Shulman said. “People will have a better chance to stay current on their taxes and keep their financial house in order. We all benefit if that happens.”
This is another in a series of steps to help struggling taxpayers. In 2008, the IRS announced lien relief for people trying to refinance or sell a home. In 2009, the IRS added new flexibility for taxpayers facing payment or collection problems. And last year, the IRS held about 1,000 special open houses to help small businesses and individuals resolve tax issues with the Agency.
Today’s announcement comes after a review of collection operations which Shulman launched last year, as well as input from the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council and the National Taxpayer Advocate.
Tax Lien Thresholds
The IRS will significantly increase the dollar thresholds when liens are generally filed. The new dollar amount is in keeping with inflationary changes since the number was last revised. Currently, liens are automatically filed at certain dollar levels for people with past-due balances.
The IRS plans to review the results and impact of the lien threshold change in about a year.
A federal tax lien gives the IRS a legal claim to a taxpayer’s property for the amount of an unpaid tax debt. Filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien is necessary to establish priority rights against certain other creditors. Usually the government is not the only creditor to whom the taxpayer owes money.
A lien informs the public that the U.S. government has a claim against all property, and any rights to property, of the taxpayer. This includes property owned at the time the notice of lien is filed and any acquired thereafter. A lien can affect a taxpayer's credit rating, so it is critical to arrange the payment of taxes as quickly as possible.
“Raising the lien threshold keeps pace with inflation and makes sense for the tax system,” Shulman said. “These changes mean tens of thousands of people won’t be burdened by liens, and this step will take place without significantly increasing the financial risk to the government.”
Tax Lien Withdrawals
The IRS will also modify procedures that will make it easier for taxpayers to obtain lien withdrawals.
Liens will now be withdrawn once full payment of taxes is made if the taxpayer requests it. The IRS has determined that this approach is in the best interest of the government.
In order to speed the withdrawal process, the IRS will also streamline its internal procedures to allow collection personnel to withdraw the liens.
Direct Debit Installment Agreements and Liens
The IRS is making other fundamental changes to liens in cases where taxpayers enter into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement (DDIA). For taxpayers with unpaid assessments of $25,000 or less, the IRS will now allow lien withdrawals under several scenarios:

• Lien withdrawals for taxpayers entering into a Direct Debit Installment Agreement.
• The IRS will withdraw a lien if a taxpayer on a regular Installment Agreement converts to a Direct Debit Installment Agreement.
• The IRS will also withdraw liens on existing Direct Debit Installment greements upon taxpayer request.

Liens will be withdrawn after a probationary period demonstrating that direct debit payments will be honored.
In addition, this lowers user fees and saves the government money from mailing monthly payment notices. Taxpayers can use the Online Payment Agreement application on IRS.gov to set-up with Direct Debit Installment Agreements.
“We are trying to minimize burden on taxpayers while collecting the proper amount of tax,” Shulman said. “We believe taking away taxpayer burden makes sense when a taxpayer has taken the proactive step of entering a direct debit agreement.”

Beware of IRS fraud, yikes!

Tax counselors: Make sure you are taking caution and educating your clients as well about these issues.  Below is information from the IRS.

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Don’t be Scammed by Fake IRS Communications 
 
The IRS receives thousands of reports each year from taxpayers who receive suspicious emails, phone calls, faxes or notices claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Many of these scams fraudulently use the Internal Revenue Service name or logo as a lure to make the communication more authentic and enticing. The goal of these scams – known as phishing – is to trick you into revealing personal and financial information. The scammers can then use that information – like your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers – to commit identity theft or steal your money.
Here are five things the IRS wants you to know about phishing scams:
1. The IRS doesn’t ask for detailed personal and financial information like PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts.
2. The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail and won’t send a message about your tax account. If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be the IRS or directing you to an IRS site:

• Do not reply to the message.
• Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain malicious code that will infect your computer.
• Do not click on any links. If you clicked on links in a suspicious e-mail or phishing website and entered confidential information, visit the IRS website and enter the search term 'identity theft' for more information and resources to help.

3. The address of the official IRS website is http://www.irs.gov. Do not be confused or misled by sites claiming to be the IRS but ending in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but you suspect it is bogus, do not provide any personal information on the suspicious site and report it to the IRS.
4. If you receive a phone call, fax or letter in the mail from an individual claiming to be from the IRS but you suspect they are not an IRS employee, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine if the IRS has a legitimate need to contact you. Report any bogus correspondence.
5. You can help shut down these schemes and prevent others from being victimized. Details on how to report specific types of scams and what to do if you’ve been victimized are available at http://www.irs.gov, keyword “phishing.”

Links:

• Protect your personal information! The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail

Suspicious e-Mails and Identity Theft

Navigating in the New Reality: Central Ohio Dialogue

My Executive Director, Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, recently sent notice of this event to me. I thought that you definitely should know about it!

On Monday, March 28th at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank from 10 - 12 a forum on funding in our new economic reality will take place. Details are below, please register by Wednesday, March 23rd and join us! Description below:

2010 was a challenging year for the central Ohio nonprofit sector, raising the question of whether business as usual could continue. What have these challenging experiences taught us and how can the lessons leaned be used to influence our future? In a recent survey of central Ohio nonprofits, 93 percent indicated that they are considering restructuring, reducing services, or reducing program hours and even merging their organization with others.

This program brings funders and nonprofits together in conversation to share lessons learned, spotlight unique experiences, and identify the intended and unintended consequences of choices made as each works to navigate the economic impact faced by their organizations.

Join your colleagues for what promises to be an interactive discussion about:
• The grantmaking outlook for 2011;
• How nonprofits' flexibility and resilience helped them navigate through the last two years of turbulence; and
• Key insights nonprofits have garnered as a result of their efforts toward sustainability as they look to 2011.
Grantmakers and nonprofits will leave the program with a deeper understanding of each others' expectations and plans for 2011. They will also gain a clearer picture of how they can better serve their community together.

Presenters
• James C. Stein, president, Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
• Michelle Mills, president/CEO, St. Stephens Community House
• Steven C. Anderson, artistic director, CATCO (Contemporary American Theatre Company)
Moderator
George E. Espy, president, Ohio Grantmakers Forum

Cost
This program is free for funders and nonprofits. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register early.

Registration Deadline
March 23, 2011