Ready For Your Tax Refund? E-file Is Fast, Free
February 8, 2009
If you are anxious to get your federal tax refund (or you really just want to pay early), you can e-file your 2008 tax return with the IRS. Your refund could be in your bank account in as little as 10 days, and, in many cases, filing can be absolutely free.
The IRS e-file program for 2008 federal tax returns is highlighted by new features that will allow expanded access to electronic filing and help people looking for faster refunds.
IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman encouraged taxpayers to explore e-file this year as the best option to file accurate tax returns and get fast refunds during the current economic downturn. The e-file program also includes new improvements to the Free File program that will allow nearly all taxpayers to e-file for free.
“These are tough times, and e-file is the best way for people to get cash in their pocket quickly,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Filing electronically with direct deposit can get refunds to taxpayers in as few as 10 days. Combined with important changes in the Free File program, we believe e-file is a better option than ever before for the nation’s taxpayers.”
Last year the average refund was $2,429. The IRS realizes people need their refunds quickly. Shulman urged people who haven’t e-filed before to consider the e-file option this year.
IRS e-file totaled nearly 90 million tax returns in 2008. Almost 58 percent of all returns were filed electronically. Last year, there was a surge in e-file from home computers. Nearly 27 million people prepared their own e-file return. That’s an increase of more than 19 percent from the previous year.
IRS e-file meets the needs of nearly all taxpayers, no matter how complicated or simple their returns are. E-file helps taxpayers take advantage of the tax credits available to them to maximize their refunds during these tough economic times.
A variety of tax software products are available commercially that offer e-file. This year, several of them will not charge additional fees for e-filing for the first time.
In addition, most taxpayers qualify for free tax preparation offered through Free File on IRS.gov. Regardless of income level, taxpayers who are comfortable with filling out paper tax forms and who don’t need extra assistance can use the IRS’s new Free File Fillable Forms. These new online versions of paper tax forms that can be e-filed are available for the first time by visiting the IRS.gov Free File site.
Benefits of e-File
Taxpayers who use e-file and who choose direct deposit can receive their refund in as few as 10 days. That’s because with e-file, there’s no paper return going to the IRS. And with direct deposit, there’s no paper refund going to the taxpayer. So it’s all electronic and much faster than paper.
IRS e-file allows taxpayers to file their returns now and pay later if they owe taxes. It allows taxpayers to file both federal and most state returns at the same time.
Taxpayers may use IRS e-file through their tax preparers, or with a computer using tax preparation software. This software is available on the Internet for online use or for download. Many retail stores sell the software for offline use. The IRS does not charge taxpayers to e-file their completed returns, but some tax preparers and software manufactures may charge a fee. However, this year a number of large software companies are waiving this additional fee.
To get all the benefits of electronic filing, taxpayers must make sure that when they are done with their returns, they take the final step of e-filing them. Taxpayers who use a paid preparer should make sure their preparers are taking this final step, too. In addition to error checks contained in the return-preparation software, additional checks are done during the e-file transmission process. That’s why the error rate is so low for e-filed returns. In fact, the error rate is significantly reduced from 20 percent with paper returns to about 1 percent with e-filed returns.
E-filed tax return information is protected through encryption. Also, taxpayers receive an acknowledgement within 48 hours that the IRS has accepted their return.
Free File
Free File, which is a form of e-file, is a free federal tax preparation and electronic filing program for eligible taxpayers developed through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC. The Alliance is a group of private-sector tax software companies. Since Free File’s debut in 2003, a total of more than 24 million returns have been prepared and e-filed through the program.
Free File offers 20 different software options that can assist taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $56,000 or less in 2008 to e-file their federal tax returns for free. That means 70 percent of all taxpayers – 98 million taxpayers – can take advantage of tax software that will help them complete their returns through the Free File program. Three companies are offering their products in Spanish.
This year, the IRS and its partners are offering a new option, Free File Fillable Tax Forms, which opens up Free File to virtually everyone, even those whose incomes exceed $56,000.
Free File Fillable Tax Forms allows taxpayers to fill out and file their tax forms electronically, just as they would on paper. This option does not include an “interview” process like the other Free File offerings, but it does allow taxpayers to enter their tax data, perform basic math calculations, sign electronically, print their returns for recordkeeping and e-file their returns. This “self-service” option may be right for those who are comfortable with the tax law, know what forms they want to use or don’t need assistance to complete their returns.
Both the fillable-forms option and the previously available “full service” Free File offerings are available only through the IRS.gov Web site. Both new and returning taxpayers must access Free File through IRS.gov. Otherwise, the e-file provider may charge them a fee. Look for details on IRS.gov beginning Jan. 16.
Almost 4.8 million tax returns were filed through Free File last year, an increase of 24 percent over the previous year’s total of nearly 3.9 million returns.
History of IRS e-File
The IRS began the e-file program in 1986 as a pilot project in three cities: Cincinnati, Phoenix and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. That year, there were 25,000 tax returns filed electronically. The e-file program expanded nationwide in 1990 and 4.2 million tax returns were filed. IRS e-file has undergone tremendous growth each year, with nearly 90 million tax returns e-filed last year.
To get started with the e-file, visit the http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118508,00.html
Editor’s Note: Taxact.com offers a free and easy program that you can download for free and offers one free federal e-file. We have used it for years with no problems. Visit Taxact.com to download the free program.
Registration This Month At NWE, Molino And Century; Improvements At Molino
February 7, 2009
Ball registration will be held Saturdays this month in Century, Molino and Walnut Hill, and there have been some big improvements at the Molino ballpark. Schedules and registration information for all three parks are below.
There are five new batting cages in place this year at Don Sutton Park in Molino. Two new awnings have been installed over several of the bleachers, and organizers say that will be a big improvement for parents watching the games.
Living Water Fire Protection provided all of the materials for the frames on the new batting cages, says Arty Kleinatland, president of the Molino Recreation Association. The netting was funded by hosting last year’s NWFGSA softball tournament at the park.
“We continue to improve our park in an effort to retain and attract the Molino children to our park instead of going to bigger parks to the south,” Kleinatland said. “In an effort to allow all children to play ball, we have reduced our registration fees.” The fees for the first child playing ball this year in Molino have been reduced from $65 to $50.
Registration will be held each Saturday for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton park in Molino. Registration will continue each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through February 23. The annual draft will be February 28.
Registration fees have been reduced this year due to the economy. This year, registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Teams for the Molino Recreation Association will include:
- Wee Ball –ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Baseball — ages 8 to 15
- Girls Softball — ages 8 to 16
If you would like to coach or just help out on your child’s team, you can sign up on the day your child is registered. For more information, call 587-4090.
Registration for Northwest Escambia Little League baseball continues each Saturday until February 21 from 10 a.m. until noon at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The cost is $35 for the first child from a family, $25 for the second child and free for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
This year, NWE will offer Wee Ball for children ages 3 and 4 on the brand new “Drew’s Field”
- Wee Ball — ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Minor and Major League Baseball — ages 8 to 12
- Minor and Marjor League Softball — ages 8 to 16
- Junior and Senior League Softball –ages 13 to 16
- Junior and Senior Leage Baseball — ages 13 to 16
- Machine Pitch Baseball — age 8
For more information, call 327-6722 or 327-6155 after five p.m.
Century Little League ball registration will held Saturdays from noon until at Showalter Park.
Registration fees have been lowered this year for $30 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is requested. The following teams will be formed:
- Pre-T — 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — 5 to 7 boys and 5 to 8 girls
- Minor League Baseball — 8 to 10 y
- Machine-Pitch Minor League — 8 to 10
- Girls Minor League Softball — 9 to 10
- Boys Major League Baseball — 11 to 12
- Girls Major League Softball — 11 to 12
Ages are determined according to the child’s age on May 1, 2009.
NorthEscambia.com is looking for people to help us with stats and photos from NWE, Century and Molino play this year. If you are interested, use our contact form to let us know.
Pictured top: Improvement at Don Sutton Park in Molino, including a new awning and batting cage. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Florida Divison Of Forestry To Offer Free Firefighter Training
February 7, 2009
Volunteer and paid firefighters from any agency will have the chance to attend free training from the Florida Division of Forestry.
Officials with the Florida Division of Forestry, in partnership with the Santa Rosa County Firefighters Association, have announced the 2009 Wildland Fire Conference, a free training opportunity for volunteers or personnel from any fire service agency.
The event will be held February 20-22, at the Bo Johnson Life Fitness Center (Building 4000) at the Pensacola Junior College Milton Campus, located at 5988 Highway 90 in Milton.
According to Rena’ Barnes, forest area supervisor, “This is an excellent opportunity for volunteer and paid fire service personnel from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties to receive beneficial training. This type of training is only offered once per year, and each individual who might have an interest needs to take advantage of it while they can.”
Courses offered will include required annual training, such as the Annual Fireline Refresher (RT-130), and other informative classes on wildland fire issues. Additionally, Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS-300) will be taught separately during the event.
In-person registration is required on Friday, February 20th, starting at 6 p.m. The ICS-300 course starts Friday night, from 7-10 p.m, and the remainder of that course and the conference will be held from 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 21st, and from 8:15 a.m. until noon on Sunday, February 22nd. Lunch will be provided for participants on Saturday and Sunday.
Individuals planning to attend are asked to sign up now for classes in which they are interested by visiting the February training calendar, located at the bottom left of the web page at www.santarosa.fl.gov/firedept. If the number of persons registered for a class exceeds space available, preference will be given to current firefighters and to persons who pre-registered.
For more information, contact Rena’ Barnes at (850) 957-6161 or barnesr@doacs.state.fl.us.
Pictured above: A fire rages through an Oak Grove wheat field in June 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Do You Know Someone 100 Years Old or Older?
February 7, 2009
Do you know someone 100 years of age or older?
Centenarians are a living link to history and valued members of society. Escambia County wants to help create awareness for these valued members of the community and show appreciation and respect with a proclamation recognizing their significant achievements and outstanding service.
Escambia County centenarians will be honored with a public presentation of a proclamation during the second regular Board of County Commissioners meeting each month. If the centenarian or a designee cannot attend the meeting, the proclamation will be personally delivered or mailed.
To be recognized, a proclamation request form must be submitted to the county at least two weeks prior to the preferred presentation date. Information on the form includes: full name, Escambia County address, date of birth, birth place and contact information. To receive a form, call 850-595-4949, email trgreen@co.escambia.fl.us or visit the county’s web site, www.myescambia.com.
Appeals Court Says Vanette Webb, Former District 5 School Board Member, Can Seek $200,000 From Board
February 6, 2009
Vanette Webb, a former District 5 Escambia County School Board member, will once again have her chance to try to collect about $200,000 in legal fees from the school board.
Her claim was rejected by the Escambia County Circuit Court in 2007 when the court said it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case. The First District Court of Appeal issued a ruling Thursday that the lower court did have jurisdiction to hear the claim.
Webb racked up the $200,000 in legal fees defending herself after she was accused of violating Florida’s open records laws.
Webb was indicted for violating the laws in December 1998 while serving as the District 5 school board member. The charges stemmed from several public records requests made by Pensacola mother Susan Watson. Watson claimed the delivery of the records was improperly delayed. Webb claimed she would not turn over the records because they contained confidential public records.
Webb was convicted in May of 1999. She was sentenced to 11 months and 15 days in jail, but all but 30 days of the sentenced were suspended. Ultimately, Webb served seven days in jail on the conviction. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush suspended Webb from the school board.
That conviction was tossed out in October, 1999, and Bush reinstated her to her school board seat. She held that seat until losing it in the 2000 primary election.
The charges against Webb were ultimately dropped in July 2003.
Webb cited the approximately $200,000 in legal fees as a reason for filing bankruptcy in 2001.
High School Senior Named As Atmore’s Citizen Of The Year
February 6, 2009
An Escambia County High School senior was named as Atmore’s Citizen of the Year Thursday night.
Ralph L. “Tray” Smith, III was named as Citizen of the Year at the annual Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Smith has served as an intern in the office of Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, served a page for U.S. Congressman Joe Bonner, was named an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star, works as a columnist for The Atmore Advance, volunteers for numerous organizations and has received numerous other awards and accolades.
Pictured above: Tray Smith (right) was named Atmore’s Citizen of the Year Thursday night. He is pictured in this file photo holding a discussion with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gulf Power Gets Grant To Train Workforce
February 6, 2009
Florida’s Great Northwest, Inc. has awarded a $347,385 workforce training grant to Gulf Power Company.
The grant is part of the Workforce Innovation II Program, a component of Florida’s Great Northwest’s WIRED Northwest Florida Initiative. Gulf Power will match the grant with $900,442 of its own funds as it develops a renewable energy skills program that will provide training for at least 166 Gulf Power employees and 21 interns over the next 12 months.
The Workforce Innovation II Program is designed to create education and training activities that lead to new job creation or employee advancement in Florida’s Great Northwest’s four target technology-related industry clusters: Aviation, Aerospace, Defense & National Security; Health Science and Human Performance Enhancement; Renewable Energy and Environment; Transportation & Logistics Services; and the two critical support industries of Information Technology Services; and Research & Engineering.
“We believe during this global economic downturn that the citizens of Northwest Florida deserve some good news, and today’s grant announcement certainly represents good news,” said Al Wenstrand, President of Florida’s Great Northwest. “This represents a reinforcement of Florida’s Great Northwest’s and Gulf Power’s belief in the future of the region. Gulf Power’s ability to create innovative training programs that go beyond the boundaries of its employees to facilitate the development of an emerging Northwest Florida industry speaks volumes. Renewable energy, either for electric power or for biofuels as a method of reducing the nation’s dependency on foreign oil, is an exciting growth industry. Through activities such as announced today, Gulf Power is certainly demonstrating its leadership in developing the renewable energy industry as well as expressing its commitment to training its existing workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Developing the renewable energy industry is part of Florida’s Great Northwest’s long-term strategy for creating a diversified and sustainable economy in Northwest Florida. A strong renewable energy strategy built around the region’s strengths and sound use of its resources is a central component for the region’s economic recovery. Today, both Gulf Power and Florida’s Great Northwest are demonstrating a strong commitment to our workforce and to the economic vitality of the region.”
“The concept behind the Workforce Innovation II Program is to address the mounting needs that exist for highly trained individuals in Northwest Florida’s high-tech, knowledge-based industries,” said Wenstrand. “Time and time again we hear businesses cite their number one concern as “a skilled workforce to meet their future employment requirements.” We believe that the organizations that are receiving the Workforce Innovation II grants will be able to implement innovative talent development programs to meet the region’s training needs.”
Gulf Power will be providing a match of $900,442 to the grant’s $347,385 to develop a two-part program. The first component addresses the training of existing workers and aims to transition their current skills to those required in the emerging renewable energy occupations. Gulf Power’s training programs funded through this grant will also be made available to outside individuals seeking similar skills. In the second program component, Gulf Power will be funding internships as a strategy to expand the availability of the energy workforce. This innovative, two-pronged approach will enhance Gulf Power’s existing employees’ knowledge base, as well as grow Northwest Florida’s future talent pool by providing training for those individuals currently in or seeking to enter the utility industry. Through the grant, Gulf Power anticipates training 166 existing workers and 21 interns.
Jennifer Grove, Workforce Development Coordinator for Gulf Power stated, “In a time of such change for the energy industry and economic strain for our economy, this WIRED Northwest Florida Initiative Innovation II grant from Florida’s Great Northwest will allow us to provide both cutting-edge training for existing Gulf Power employees and to grow future talent through internships in critical high-skill, high-wage positions in our company. This unique training approach will ensure that employees are poised to continue in a leadership capacity for this growing sector for Northwest Florida.”
Through the Workforce Innovation II Program, Florida’s Great Northwest is awarding a total of $962,426 to five Northwest Florida training providers with a grant match totaling $3,193,112 contributed by the awardees. The implementation of these programs will have a tremendous impact on the development of Northwest Florida’s workforce, will foster the growth of high-skill, high-wage jobs, and will support the development of the industries that will lead the region into a diversified and sustainable economy.
Eligibility for the grants was limited to Northwest Florida educational organizations or businesses in the targeted industries where instruction is conducted and jobs created in Northwest Florida. Qualifying jobs must meet the requirement of a wage of at least 125% of the regional average annual wage plus a defined benefits program. The individuals trained through the grant award must either be currently employed by a target industry employer in the region or be pursuing training for high-skill, high-wage target industry employment opportunities within Northwest Florida.
Florida’s Great Northwest provides regional leadership in economic and workforce development, serving 16 counties in Northwest Florida from Pensacola through Tallahassee. Its primary mission is the creation of a diversified and sustainable economy in Northwest Florida that creates nationally and globally competitive advantages for the development of key industry clusters, increases the income and prosperity of workers and families and preserves the region’s vibrant quality of life.
Florida’s Great Northwest is the administrator and facilitating organization for the U.S. Department of Labor WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Grant. Florida’s Great Northwest’s WIRED Northwest Florida Initiative, funded in part through the US Department of Labor, is designed to create high-wage, high-skill jobs within the region in the target industries of Aviation, Aerospace, Defense, and National Security; Life Sciences (Human Performance Enhancement, Medical Device Manufacturing, Medical Technologies, Health Services, and Biotechnology); Information Technology; Engineering; Renewable Energy and Environment; Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution; and Construction Products Manufacturing.
Pictured above: (L-R) Evon Emerson (Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce), Al Wenstrand (Florida’s Great Northwest), Sandy Sims (Gulf Power), Jennifer Grove (Gulf Power), Pam Tedesco (Florida’s Great Northwest), Susan Nelms (Workforce Escarosa), and Charles Wood (Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Commission Delays Action On George Touart Legal Bills After Complaint Filed By Walnut Hill Man
February 6, 2009
Former Escambia County Administrator George Touart will have to wait a month to find out if Escambia County will pay legal fees he incurred defending himself against an ethics complaint filed in part by a Walnut Hill man.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to postpone the decision until March 5 because Touart’s attorney, Mike Patterson of the law firm Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, was unable to attend the meeting. The county attorney is recommending that the county deny Touart’s request.
After Touart resigned in September 2007, an ethics complain was filed against him by Preston Solomon of Walnut Hill and Michael Coonan of Pensacola. The complaint was dismissed by the state’s ethics commission.
The ethics complained alleged that Touart was linked to company that was contracted to remove post-hurricane debris in the county. There were also allegations that Touart’s wife was improperly hired by the county.
County Attorney Allison Rogers has recommended that the Escambia County Commission deny Touart’s request for $3,629.60.
“The defense of complaints filed by Preston Solomon and Michael Coonan with the State of Florida Commission on Ethics by former County Administrator George Touart does not meet either statutory or common law criteria for reimbursement of legal fees and costs by Mr. Touart,” Rogers says in a letter presented to commissioners.
Patterson has requested that the county pay $3,446 in legal fees and $183 in other costs for the firm’s representation of Touart in the ethics matter.
Free Women’s Health Fair; Session For Men Too With Bear Bryant’s Doctor
February 6, 2009
A free Women’s Health and Wellness Fair will be held Saturday in Atmore, and there is even an afternoon session for men too.
The event takes place Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Atmore First Assembly of God on South Main Street in Atmore.
The day begins with a free health screening for cholesterol, blood sugar, bone density, a fitness assessment and more. Fasting after midnight is required for the screenings; snacks will be provided for those fasting. The free free screenings will be available until 11:30 a.m.
Regina Worrell, a local physical therapist with Atmore Community Hospital along with her helpers, will be providing fitness assessment. Baptist Healthcare and the Escambia County Health Department will be providing the testing and screening.
Robbie Drummond, RPH, will provide s “A Light Hearted Look at Medicine” during a free lunch.
The afternoon sessions will be open to both men and women. Dr. Gaylon McCollough, founder of the McCollough Institute for Appearance and Health in Gulf Shores and one of American’s top Plastic Surgeons, will be the guest speaker.
McCollough was also an All-American Center for the 1964 University of Alabama championship team and was the personal physician for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. He has just released his newest book, “The Long Shadow of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant which offers an intimate look at the patriarch of the Alabama football family and his personal friend.
McCollough will be speaking on “Enhancing the Image in Your Mirror” offering information on heart health, skin care and alternatives to plastic surgery. He also will be discussing his
latest release and his other books. Dr. McCollough will be available after his session to sign his books which may be purchased the day of the Fair.
All of the day’s events are free. Interested persons can pre-register at the church from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday. For more information, contact the church office at (251) 368-4637; Ruth Harrell at (251) 296-5101 or Nancy Helton at (251) 655-6358.
EWMS Cheerleaders Headed To Orlando For National Finals
February 5, 2009
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders headed to Orlando Thurday to complete in the national cheerleading finals this weekend, and they have already made it to the final round.
The EWMS cheerleaders took first place in the Universal Cheerleaders Association West Florida Regional in November at Tate High School. Their score was so high that they automatically bypassed the preliminary rounds of competition Saturday in Orlando. The EWMS Golden Eagle cheerleaders were automatically advanced to Sunday’s final round.
There will be about 8,000 cheerleaders on 400 teams from 33 states will be participating in this year’s tournament. This is the first year the Ernest Ward cheerleaders have made the national finals.
NorthEscambia.com will keep you updated as often as possible during the weekend with reports from the Ernest Ward cheerleaders in Orlando.
Members of the squad at the West Florida Regional in November are, pictured above: (front row, L-R) Jessica Lowery, Hannah Gibson, Katelynne Calloway, Ali Martin, Ariel Holland, Mariah Albritton, (second row L-R) Lana Clayton, Morgan Ward, Raven Weaver, Reagan Bell, Angel Mitchell, Paeton Hadley, (back row L-R) Ashley Mooney and Madison Arrington. Not pictured: Coach Ashley Salter.NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.