Franklin Matters

The Department of Revenue has issued a draft Technical Information Release that would require income tax preparers who reasonably expect to file more than 10 returns in a calendar year to file those returns electronically.

The existing rule established in 2004 required tax preparers filing 100 or more returns annually to file electronically. Before that, the threshold was 200 returns.

The new, lower threshold of more than 10 is proposed to take effect January 1, 2012, and would parallel an Internal Revenue Service electronic filing threshold taking place on that date.
While it is hard to say precisely how many additional tax returns would be filed electronically under this new rule, it is safe to say that it would insure continued growth in electronic filing, which increased by 10 percent in tax year 2010 over tax year 2009.

Just among tax practitioner, the number of returns filed electronically increased by 153,983, going from 1.668 million in 2009 to 1.822 million in 2010.

Overall, of 3.424 million tax returns filed in 2010, just 225,672 were paper returns imaged and keyed, a decrease of 56,658 from the previous year. Another 542,487 paper returns came in with 2D barcodes (down 129,063 from the previous year); these are paper returns that are read electronically due to the barcode.

The new rule is likely to reduce the number of 2D barcode returns, virtually all of which are filed by tax practioners, in half.

Things you can do from here:

Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue using Google Reader
Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Flu Season is Here – Get Vaccinated Today.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Flu Season is Here – Get Vaccinated Today.

via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 10/31/11

Posted by Donna Lazorik, RN, MS. Donna is the Immunization Coordinator in the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from getting sick this flu season is to get vaccinated. This is true even if you were vaccinated last season. Health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine every year. That's because flu can be very serious – every year in Massachusetts, an average of 5,000 residents are hospitalized due to complications from the flu, resulting in up to 800 deaths. The good news is that many of these hospitalizations and deaths are preventable.
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important if you or someone in your family:

Is pregnant
Has a chronic health condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
Is immuno-suppressed
Is very overweight
Is 50 years of age or older.

Flu vaccination is important for children younger than 5 years of age, who are at higher risk of serious flu complications if they get the flu. For the same reason, if you're a caregiver or household contact of children less than five years old it's important that you get vaccinated as well.
The flu vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. There is more vaccine available this year than ever before!
To find out where to get the flu vaccine:

Call your health care provider;
Contact your local health department;
Check with your local pharmacy; or
Visit the Massachusetts Flu Clinic website for a list of flu clinics near you.

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/flu or call the Department of Public Health Immunization Program at (617) 983-6800.

###

Things you can do from here:

Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services using Google Reader
Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Monday, October 31, 2011

October Storm Update 10/31/11

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "TOWN OF FRANKLIN" <email@blackboardconnect.com>
Date: Oct 31, 2011 2:50 PM
Subject: October Storm Update 10/31/11
To: <shersteve@gmail.com>

Good Afternoon. This is Gary Premo calling with an update on the Nor' Easter snow storm. National Grid continues to work 24 hours a day to restore power. They still predict a prolonged recovery, possibly into Thursday. The Remington school, 628 Washington Street, remains open as a shelter. The phone number is 1-508-541-2143. If you are in need of a hot meal, dinner tonight is 4p-630p; breakfast tomorrow 7a-9a and lunch 11a-1p. If you require shelter, please bring sleeping bags/blankets, towels and toiletries and any medications needed; pets are NOT permitted. All public schools will be closed Tuesday November 1st. Due to public safety concerns, trick or treating has been postponed until Friday 11/4. The recycling center will be open 12n-6p this Tue-Thu, 8a-6p on Fri, 8a-3p on Sat and 11a-4p on Sunday. Thank you for your patience. We will be updating you on a daily basis. Thank you and goodbye.

To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer.

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

"a society that honors the servant but has forgotten the gift"

A video for Monday. Making a connection on the divided brain. What?

Does this have anything to do with Franklin Matters?

Yes, it does. Watch. Listen. Think.

This will help us understand the paradox. "Einstein said 'The intuitive mind is a sacred gift. The rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant but has forgotten the gift."

Enjoy!

In the news - Pfeffer, nor'easter

Meet the Franklin candidate: Judith Pond Pfeffer, Town Council

by By Alison McCall, Daily News staff

Nor'easter turns out the lights in region

by Laura Krantz, Daily News staff

Extensive power outages after storm, schools closed Monday

by Heather McCarron/STAFF WRITER

Sunday, October 30, 2011

October Storm Update 10/30/11

Good Afternoon. This is Gary Premo calling with information regarding the recent snow storm. National Grid reports 5107 Franklin customers are without power. They predict a prolonged recovery, possibly into Thursday. Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the 20's. We have opened the Remington/Jefferson school, 628 Washington Street, for a shelter. Food is available. Please bring sleeping bags, towels and toiletries; pets are NOT permitted. All public schools will be closed Monday October 31st. We are recommending that you refrain from trick or treating tomorrow, however, if you do bring your kids out, please stay away from downed trees/wires. Thank you for your patience. We will be updating you on a daily basis. Thank you and goodbye.

To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer.