Saturday, December 3, 2011
DOR warns of Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit scam
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 12/2/11
The Department of Revenue today released a statement from Taxpayer Advocate Dennis Buckley warning the public, tax preparers, and those who assist seniors in preparing tax returns of a scam that surfaced last year involving the popular Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.
"The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit last year helped nearly 80,000 state residents receive a refundable tax credit. Unfortunately, several unscrupulous tax preparers coaxed elderly public housing residents to fraudulently apply for the credit (residents of public housing are ineligible for the credit).
"The preparers who participated in this scam asked for a payment to submit the fraudulent application, and some seniors received the credit without actually qualifying for it. The Department of Revenue has notified those senior residents that the refund was obtained fraudulently and must be paid back.
"The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit last year helped nearly 80,000 state residents receive a refundable tax credit. Unfortunately, several unscrupulous tax preparers coaxed elderly public housing residents to fraudulently apply for the credit (residents of public housing are ineligible for the credit).
"The preparers who participated in this scam asked for a payment to submit the fraudulent application, and some seniors received the credit without actually qualifying for it. The Department of Revenue has notified those senior residents that the refund was obtained fraudulently and must be paid back.
"We ask you to share knowledge of this scam with your colleagues. Seniors are not eligible for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit if they live in public or subsidized housing," Buckley wrote.
The Senior Circuit Breaker will deliver a maximum tax credit of $980 in tax year 2011.
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Santa's arrival (photo slideshow)
I missed the tree lighting ceremony at Dean College but did manage to make it around to most of the Holiday Stroll on Thursday evening. As I made the rounds however, it was too dark to take good photos. I do have additional photos from Santa's arrival on the Town Common on Sunday to share:
Enjoy!
12 Days of Donating to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Berry Insurance Blog by berryinsurance on 12/1/11
Franklin businesses will be collecting canned goods for the Franklin Food Pantry for twelve days, from December 1st to the 12th as part of their "1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days" campaign. Be sure to take part in this "12 Days of Donating" to help the Pantry support those in need this holiday season. Be sure to stop into any of these local spots listed below, anytime until the 12th, with canned goods or donations, and show your support for the community.- Franklin Downtown Partnership – 9 East Central Street
- Jane's Frames – 11 East Central Street
- Printsmart Office Supplies – 20 East Central Street
- Berry Insurance – 9 Main Street
- Dean Bank – 21 Main Street
- Dean College at the Campus Center
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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"this gets people thinking"
The Holiday Stroll, hosted by the Franklin Downtown Partnership, is meant to draw people through downtown and reacquaint residents with the businesses there on a more personal level.
"It gives people a chance to talk to local store owners and business owners," said Lisa Piana, executive director of the partnership. "A lot of times people find out about new businesses downtown because they're taking the time to stroll downtown, instead of doing their errands."
The stroll began with a ceremonial lighting of a large tree on the Dean College campus. Businesses nearby set up indoor and outdoor craft stations for children. They could, for example, decorate gingerbread cookies outside Dean Bank or make snowman ornaments in the Franklin Art Center.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x46240893/Families-flock-to-downtown-stroll-in-Franklin#ixzz1fNBhacda
Thursday, December 1, 2011
"Your local tax dollar is spent in your town"
The tax rate was raised from $12.95 per $1,000 of property value to $13.73 per $1,000, in part because of dropping home values. Towns often respond to declining property values by raising rates to at least maintain revenue totals.
"Rates go up when the value of the town goes down because the value of the town needs to stay the same," said Councilor Glenn Jones, admitting that the explanation is basic and simplistic.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x46240157/Residential-commercial-taxes-rising-in-Franklin#ixzz1fHHdtjPM
The live reporting from the Town Council meeting Weds, Nov 30 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/town-council-113011.html
Additional information on the tax rate can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/fm-101-tax-rate-info.html
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