Does the IRS Owe You Money?

Who couldn’t use a little extra cash this summer! The IRS may have some money for you.

If you have not filed a prior year tax return and are due a refund, you should consider filing the return to claim that refund. If you are missing a refund for a previously filed tax return, you should contact the IRS to check the status of your refund and confirm your current address.

Unclaimed Refunds

Some people may have had taxes withheld from their wages but were not required to file a tax return because they had too little income. Others may not have had any tax withheld but would be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.

· To collect this money a return must be filed with the IRS no later than three years from the due date of the return.

· If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

· There is no penalty assessed by the IRS for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

· Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications web page of IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

· Information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it is also available on the IRS web site, IRS.gov.

Undeliverable Refunds

Were you expecting a refund check but didn't get it?

· Refund checks are mailed to your last known address. Checks are returned to the IRS if you move without notifying the IRS or the U.S. Postal Service.

· You may be able to update your address with the IRS on the “Where’s My Refund?” feature available on IRS.gov. You will be prompted to provide an updated address if there is an undeliverable check outstanding within the last 12 months.

· You can also ensure the IRS has your correct address by filing Form 8822, Change of Address, which is available on IRS.gov or can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

· If you do not have access to the Internet and think you may be missing a refund, you should first check your records or contact your tax preparer. If your refund information appears correct, call the IRS toll-free assistance line at 800-829-1040 to check the status of your refund and confirm your address.

Hamilton County Commissioners Need to Hear From You!

Once again the Hamilton County Commissioners are about to deal a devastating blow to the disabilities community. Here is a letter from Cheryl Phipps, Superintendent of the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD. Please read it and take action to help.

July 31, 2009

Dear MR/DD Supporter:

On August 12, the Hamilton County Commissioners will decide the amount of the levy that will be placed on the November 3 ballot for us. We need your help in the next two weeks to convince them to choose an amount that will enable us to serve new people.

They are considering three options for the 5 year levy period, all of which are below the amount recommended by the tax levy consultants who reviewed us earlier this year. Those options are:

1) $416.8 million – our requested amount. We will be able to serve new people each year of the levy, and we will have enough money to use as match for Medicaid waivers
2) $400.2 million– an amount that will result in waiting lists. We can only serve 10 new adults each year (the need is 70) and enroll 10 people each year on waivers (the need is 100) with this amount.
3) $388.6 million ­ - a devastating amount! We will have to cut services currently provided and not be able to serve new people who need us.

Please contact the County Commissioners before August 12, tell them what MR/DD services mean to you, and urge them to vote for the $416.8 million. Their address is 138 E. Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, and their e-mail addresses and phone numbers are:

David Pepper david.pepper@hamilton-co.org 946-4410
Todd Portune todd.portune@hamilton-co.org 946-4401
Greg Hartmanngreg.hartmann@hamilton-co.org 946-4405

On behalf of the 8,000 individuals we now serve and the thousands more who will need our services in the next 5 years, thank you!

Sincerely,

Cheryl Phipps, Superintendent
HCBMR/DD

The Sad State of The Healthcare Debate

The following was found on "The Hill's pundits blog." The author, Peter Fenn, comments on "The Republicans and Small Business and Healthcare." As an illustration of the way ALL politicians spin issues, it is sickeningly accurate. The politician's rule is: ignore what the other (person) (reporter) (candidate) says or the question he or she asks. Answer the question you wanted the reporter to ask; address the issue you want to address, whether relevant or irrelevant to the issue to which you are responding. But, most importantly, never, ever let the facts get in the way.

July 28, 2009 – 9:36 am

By Peter Fenn

The Republicans and Small Business and Healthcare

I just love the Republicans’ rhetoric on how they stand up for small businesses.

Democrats propose any kind of tax on millionaires and it suddenly becomes an attack on “America’s small businesses.” We try and put together a healthcare plan that makes it possible to keep costs down for small businesses and allows them to insure employees and it becomes about “big government.”

Democrats go after Goldman Sachs for their average salaries of $900,000 when unemployment is nearing 10 percent and we are “socialists.” Democrats complain that Goldman received over $10 billion last year in bailout money, parlay that into $5.1 in first-quarter profits and prepare to shell out $11.4 billion to their executives so far this year and we are attacking the capitalist system.

Now we find out that Goldman has a Cadillac of a healthcare plan that costs over $40,000, just less than the average American family makes in a year. This plan is truly amazing — no co-pays, no deductibles, no cost for prescriptions and don’t worry about pre-existing conditions. And, of course, all free — and it is not taxed, all deductible. Now, tell me, how does that help our small businesses?

Here are the facts on small businesses: 1. Firms with fewer than 20 employees account for 18 percent of private-sector jobs but almost 25 percent of net employment growth in the past 15 years; 2. However, small businesses pay nearly 20 percent more for the same health insurance policy than larger firms because of broker fees, administrative costs and adverse selection; 3. While 99 percent of firms with over 200 employees offer health insurance only 49 percent of firms with three to nine employees do.

Furthermore, there has been a decrease from 2002 to 2008 of small businesses (three to nine employees) offering health insurance — 58 percent down to 49 percent.

Now, explain to me how this is working so well for small businesses. Since I started my firm over 25 years ago I have paid 100 percent of my employees’ health plans. I was glad to do it and lucky enough to be successful. But, like all small-business owners, I have seen those costs rise considerably. My partner and I saw first-hand how pre-existing conditions can raise the costs; we watched as our premiums went up over the years much faster than inflation or the cost of living. Again, we are fortunate that we can afford it, but many small businesses cannot.

To say that we can’t afford health insurance reform is counterintuitive — we cannot afford not to pass real change to the current system. Small business deserves it and needs it — now. Republicans should get on board and really help America’s small businesses.

© 2009 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.

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Take Action to Support Autism Insurance Reform in Congress

Federal Action on Health Care Reform legislation is taking center stage in Congress. Even though more and more states are passing laws to require insurance companies to provide full treatment coverage for people with autism, the vast majority of states do not. Thus, there is good cause for federal legislation in this area.

Please follow this link to Autism Speaks. You will find the telephone numbers for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, so you can call their offices and leave messages. You will also be able to send e-mails to your local representative and senators. Please take time to do this. This is very important to parents (like me) and people with autism (my son). Please spread the word.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Nidich

Case of autistic Marine brings recruiting problems to the forefront

Here is an incredibly sad article from the Los Angeles Times about a young man with high-functioning autism who was recruited into the Marines. Not surprisingly, he didn't quite understand the rules, being yelled at constantly by his drill instructors, and all the other matters faced by a new recruit at boot camp. So, he simply decided to leave to go home (to a group home where he had been living when he signed up) but didn't make it out the gate. When his drill instructors finally learned he had autism, instead of having him evaluated for discharge, they simply eased up on him; so he could get through boot camp successfully.

He did get through the eleven-week program (somehow). He was then sent to Camp Pendleton for infantry training. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested for desertion and another crime. That was one year ago. That's right: He has been in the brig at Camp Pendleton for one year. He is also facing another charge, FRAUDULENT ENLISTMENT. The young man is under a conservatorship and cannot legally enter into a contract by himself. A motion to dismiss the charges against him on the ground that he didn't have the legal capacity to enlist was denied. Another hearing in this matter is scheduled for July 27th.

PLEASE pass on this post to everyone else you know who might want to help this young man. Also send it to your Representative and Senators.

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