Internal Revenue Service - federal income tax filing date now July 15, 2020

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline, can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.

“Even with the filing deadline extended, we urge taxpayers who are owed refunds to file as soon as possible and file electronically,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds. Although we are curtailing some operations during this period, the IRS is continuing with mission-critical operations to support the nation, and that includes accepting tax returns and sending refunds. As a federal agency vital to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding – and your patience. I’m incredibly proud of our employees as we navigate through numerous different challenges in this very rapidly changing environment.”

The IRS will continue to monitor issues related to the COVID-19 virus, and updated information will be posted on a special coronavirus page on IRS.gov (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus).

This announcement comes following the President’s emergency declaration last week pursuant to the Stafford Act. The Stafford Act is a federal law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster and emergency assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. It was enacted in 1988.

Treasury and IRS will issue additional guidance as needed and continue working with Congress, on a bipartisan basis, on legislation to provide further relief to the American people.

This was shared from the IRS page
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed 


Related posts on IRS:

It's that time again
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/its-that-time-again-irs-has-started.html

Tax time Guide
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/tax-time-guide-millions-make-irsgov.html

Internal Revenue Service - federal income tax filing date now July 15, 2020

Franklin Public Schools: student art works featured in digital "Youth Art Month"

"Youth Art Month at Worcester Art Museum goes digital! FPS has over 15 pieces in this show. Enjoy the video linked below."

Shared from the Tweet:
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSart/status/1241083575342153734

Video link:   https://youtu.be/gcIaPTKL2c0

"The Worcester Art Museum is pleased to present the 2020 Central MA Regional Youth Art Month Exhibit. Youth Art Month is a national celebration endorsed by Council for Art Education, the National Art Education Association, and the Massachusetts Art Education Association, and is proudly hosted by the Worcester Art Museum.

This annual celebration emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality art programs in public and private schools. This special digital video of the exhibit features each of the 461 artworks from Massachusetts students in grades K-12 that were put on display in the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum .

We would like to recognize the efforts of the wonderful young artists and the dedication that their teachers show in annually volunteering their time to coordinate this exhibition. The theme for 2020 was Take a Journey through Art, and I invite you to do just that through this video. The Museum’s Pick Winners, normally announced at the Exhibition Celebration, will be announced via the Worcester Art Museum’s Facebook page on March 22nd."

Please enjoy. https://www.worcesterart.org/

MA Small Business Development Center Network: Prepare For Recovery

While focused on the small business owner, the advice can apply more broadly


PREPARE FOR RECOVERY
By Cliff Robbins, MSBDC Senior Business Advisor

"NOW what do I do?" This is the question on every small business persons' mind. Well, this is the time to prepare yourself for a post-coronavirus world: Especially because you have probably been forced to shutter or otherwise change your business approach.

1) CFIMITYM - Cash Flow Is More Important Than Your Mother.
Conserve your cash. Act like you're in a turnaround crisis because you probably are [too]. If you haven't done so already, project your cash needs out for the next twelve months. (We can help with that.) Go to MSBDC.org/SEMass and contact an advisor.

2) COMMUNICATE
Talk to your customers; communicate with your bank; invest in your social media; let them know that you're still around; keep them engaged. Try selling gift certificates. This is a great time to try that for future business. Send them emails to let them know you're still here and OKAY!

3) CREATE
Most small business people don't continually create content because they say they just don't have the time. Well, now your schedule is a little more open today, so create some content. Create educational content about your products and services; create instructional videos; create stories that you can share in the near future to tell the world how great your business has been and still is!

4) ADVERTISE YOUR LOCAL SERVICES
If you work at people's homes, particularly for services like landscaping, or other home improvement services that are low-touch, get the word out that you're available. If people aren't ready today, the nicer weather will catch up with them quickly once this all starts to sort itself out.

5) PREPARE AND INVEST - Now's the time to get a leg up on the competition:

• Get that new website started, it's going to take a little time to get going, and this downtime will help you modernize.
• Optimize your business for local search, it takes a few weeks for optimizations to happen, so get the leg up once people are ready to leave the house again.
• Sort out the back-end of your business: Your CRM, your customer databases, your online store. Make sure these are all up and running so that you are prepared for the future.

"This too shall pass."

Look at this period as an opportunity to get ahead, and stay focused on growth.

The region sure needs it!

Shared from the Southeast Regional Office MSBDC
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101853174121&ca=27eb69bc-325e-4f7e-beee-d0a98b2711f6

MA Small Business Development Center Network: Prepare For Recovery

Franklin Public Schools Update from the Superintendent 3/20/2020

Please see this video update from Superintendent Sara Ahern - 3/20/2020

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9TgNtOaHbw




And the referenced video she mentions: https://vimeo.com/398230086?fbclid=IwAR3cvK731SQDtKZLL9KOtocJZS9K69sq-fl2atDuFRVEWwDEXqVaqB9FQAY



Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools

Superintendent Sara Ahern at the demographic study info session at HMMS March 5

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Dear Franklin Community,

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to curbside pickups! Unfortunately, that service has come to an end. Thankfully, the Library still has much more to offer! 

Here are updates and information regarding the Library's services during this closure:

• The Franklin Library will be closed until April 7th.
• Our digital library is still open! Explore our collection of audiobooks, ebooks, and more at https://minuteman.overdrive.com/ . On your phone or tablet, download the Libby and Minuteman Library Network apps!
• Try out Kanopy, hoopla, Creativebug, and Universal Class on the Featured Databases page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/featured-databases (exclusively available to Franklin residents).
• Learn something new, read newspapers from across the globe, or pick up a new skill using the links on our Databases & Research Resources page. https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/databases-research-resources
• Tune in to our Facebook page for streaming storytimes, book discussions, and other live programs.
• Email reference service will remain available. Send questions to frkill@minlib.net . Questions will be answered within 24 hours.
• Please hold on to your checked out items! Due dates have been extended to April 30.
• No donations will be accepted at this time.
• The ability to place holds on physical items has been suspended.

Updates through email, our website, and social media will be provided as they become available.

Library 
Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary/
Twitter account  https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib

Shared from the Library update notification
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-closure-updates

No book or bag sale this weekend due to the pandemic closure

Franklin Residents: NOTICE - Town &; Public Schools grounds closed

URGENT NOTICE!

All Town &; Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice. 

Trails are still open. 

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups.


Note: This adds the school playgrounds and fields to the Town closure notice shared earlier
Town: https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/all-municipal-recreation-facilities-are-closed-until-further-notice
Schools: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1241012389996265480
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1241012389996265480?s=20

Franklin Residents: NOTICE - Town &; Public Schools grounds closed

MBTA Commuter Rail: Reminder - Franklin line shuttle bus for weekend schedule

"We’ve made system-wide service changes to accommodate for decreased ridership and to protect our frontline employees while still enabling travel for essential workers, like hospital staff and emergency responders. 

During the week, all subway lines and most bus routes are running on a Saturday schedule, and all Commuter Rail lines are on reduced service. Regular schedules for these modes are still in effect on weekends. Ferry service has been suspended entirely. 

We value your feedback and are monitoring the effects of these service reductions closely. We will adjust service accordingly as the situation changes.
For the most up-to-date information, and to learn more about our response to COVID-19, visit mbta.com/coronavirus 

During reduced service, our crews will continue to work on infrastructure repairs and upgrades throughout the system. This weekend, shuttles will replace trains on the Red and Green lines, and on the Green and Mattapan lines on weeknights.

Work will continue on the Commuter Rail as well. Starting Saturday morning, there will be shuttles on the Framingham/Worcester, Franklin, and Lowell lines, and the Fitchburg Line will start and end at Porter. 

This work supports a number of projects as part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment program. 

See how we are making the MBTA better for you  https://www.mbta.com/projects?utm_source=email_digest"

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South Station – Forge Park/495
Weekends through April 2020

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

Learn about Positive Train Control  https://www.mbta.com/projects/commuter-rail-positive-train-control-ptc
See all Franklin Line service changes  https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line

MBTA Commuter Rail: Reminder - Franklin line shuttle bus for weekend schedule