The Internal Revenue Service today (4/09/20) reminds taxpayers and tax professionals to use electronic options to support social distancing and speed the processing of tax returns, refunds and payments.
To protect the public and employees, and in compliance with orders of local health authorities around the country, certain IRS services such as live assistance on telephones, processing paper tax returns and responding to correspondence are extremely limited or suspended until further notice. All Taxpayer Assistance Centers remain temporarily closed as are many volunteer tax preparation sites until further notice. This will not affect the IRS’s ability to deliver Economic Impact Payments, which taxpayers will begin receiving next week.
Although the tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020, from April 15, the IRS continues to process electronic tax returns, issue direct deposit refunds and accept electronic payments. As of April 3, the IRS received over 97.4 million tax returns and issued over $213 billion in refunds.
IRS operational status and alternatives
Paper Tax Returns: All taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider or IRS Free File if possible. The IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment. Paper returns will be processed once processing centers are able to reopen. This year, more than 90% of taxpayers have filed electronically.
Ordering Forms: The IRS’s National Distribution Center is closed until further notice. We are not able to take any orders for forms or publications to be mailed during this time. Most forms and publications are available for download electronically at www.IRS.gov/forms.
Web Options: IRS.gov remains the best source for tax law questions, checks on refund status and tax payments. All IRS updates on the Economic Impact Payments and other Covid-19 related issues also will be posted immediately on www.IRS.gov/coronavirus. Taxpayers can check their refund status at Where’s My Refund? or obtain a tax transcript at Get Transcript Online. Tax transcripts are only available online at this time.
Taxpayers also can make tax payments through Direct Pay. Taxes due must be paid by July 15. The Interactive Tax Assistant can help answer tax law questions. There currently are no email options that will generate answers to questions posed by taxpayers. Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide, is a good source of information.
Telephone Options: Automated phone lines: which handle most taxpayer calls - also will remain available during this period. Some tax compliance lines also remain available. IRS phone lines supported by customer service representatives for both taxpayers and tax professionals are not staffed at this time. To check on regular tax refund status via automated phone, call 800-829-1954. (This line has no information on Economic Impact Payments.)
Practitioner Priority Service (PPS): Due to staff limitations the Practitioner Priority Service line is temporarily closed until further notice. The IRS is unable to process Centralized Authorization File (CAF) requests at this time.
IRS.gov remains the first option for answers to questions. Practitioners with e-Services accounts and with client authorization can access the Transcript Delivery System to obtain prior-year transcripts. Taxpayers should use Where’s My Refund? and Get Transcript, both common requests. However, the Get Transcript by Mail option should not be used since the offices that print and mail the transcripts are closed.
Taxpayer correspondence: While the IRS is receiving and storing mail, our mail processing functions have been scaled back to comply with social distancing recommendations. Currently, we have reduced responses to paper correspondence. Our primary concern is serving taxpayers as indicated in the People First Initiative, which includes numerous actions to alleviate taxpayer burden during this time.
Taxpayers who mail correspondence to the IRS during this period should expect to wait longer than usual for a response. Once normal operations resume it will take the IRS time to work through any correspondence backlog. Correspondence sent to IRS offices may be returned to the taxpayer if that office is closed and no one is available to accept them.
U.S. Residency Certification: The Philadelphia Accounts Management Campus is currently closed. Processing of the US Residency Certification Program is temporarily suspended. Normal operations will resume as soon as possible.
Taxpayer Protection Program: If you received correspondence from the IRS asking if you filed a suspicious tax return, you may use the online Identity Verification Service to validate your identity. Because the IRS cannot take calls or appointments right now, this is the only present option and is only for taxpayers who receive IRS letters asking them to authenticate their identity via online, telephone or in-person and confirm whether they filed the tax return in question.
Shared from the IRS page
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-urges-taxpayers-to-use-electronic-options-outlines-online-assistance
Friday, April 10, 2020
FTC: Remote learning and children’s privacy
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FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update
Dear FPAC Community and patrons of THE BLACK BOX,
I hope you are well as we navigate this incredibly difficult time. I wish the best possible for our artists, creatives, technicians, volunteers, patrons, donors, and sponsors as we strive to do our part, by staying home, to help mitigate the Coronavirus crisis.
As many of you know and have experienced first-hand, the arts have the power to connect us and to heal. To that end, FPAC remains ready to welcome and entertain you as soon as it is safe to turn the lights back on at THE BLACK BOX.
Our goal is to reschedule all Franklin Performing Arts Company shows and events on the calendar at THE BLACK BOX. We eagerly await the time we can announce new dates, but for the time-being, the following shows and events are currently postponed:
When new dates for these events are announced, those who currently hold tickets will be contacted first to choose a performance and exchange tickets. If you are unable to attend a postponed performance, please consider gifting your tickets to a friend, or donating your ticket purchase back to help support our company and venue.
The outpouring of concern for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX has been heartening, and given the devastating financial impact on nonprofits like ours, we’ll be counting on you when it’s show time once again!
While our doors are closed, please like Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook (if you haven’t already!), and let us inspire you every night at 7:30 with “Great Performances …. At Home” featuring FPAC favorite performers on Facebook Live. I hope this provides a little entertainment and fun for you at home as we await the opportunity to get out of our living rooms and back on stage.
And for now as you shop from home, please consider using AmazonSmile at https://smile.amazon.com/ and make FPAC your nonprofit of choice, thereby donating a small percentage of your purchase to FPAC. Kindly join us on social media - like, follow, comment, share! Expanding our reach on social media is something we can accomplish from home with your help.
Please stay home and be well. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces soon.
Best,
Raye Lynn
I hope you are well as we navigate this incredibly difficult time. I wish the best possible for our artists, creatives, technicians, volunteers, patrons, donors, and sponsors as we strive to do our part, by staying home, to help mitigate the Coronavirus crisis.
As many of you know and have experienced first-hand, the arts have the power to connect us and to heal. To that end, FPAC remains ready to welcome and entertain you as soon as it is safe to turn the lights back on at THE BLACK BOX.
Our goal is to reschedule all Franklin Performing Arts Company shows and events on the calendar at THE BLACK BOX. We eagerly await the time we can announce new dates, but for the time-being, the following shows and events are currently postponed:
- Legally Blonde The Musical
- Electric Youth In Concert
- Broadway In Franklin Weekend
- Culinary Cabaret
- FPAC 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Fun Run
- FPAC Golf Tournament
When new dates for these events are announced, those who currently hold tickets will be contacted first to choose a performance and exchange tickets. If you are unable to attend a postponed performance, please consider gifting your tickets to a friend, or donating your ticket purchase back to help support our company and venue.
The outpouring of concern for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX has been heartening, and given the devastating financial impact on nonprofits like ours, we’ll be counting on you when it’s show time once again!
While our doors are closed, please like Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook (if you haven’t already!), and let us inspire you every night at 7:30 with “Great Performances …. At Home” featuring FPAC favorite performers on Facebook Live. I hope this provides a little entertainment and fun for you at home as we await the opportunity to get out of our living rooms and back on stage.
And for now as you shop from home, please consider using AmazonSmile at https://smile.amazon.com/ and make FPAC your nonprofit of choice, thereby donating a small percentage of your purchase to FPAC. Kindly join us on social media - like, follow, comment, share! Expanding our reach on social media is something we can accomplish from home with your help.
Please stay home and be well. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces soon.
Best,
Raye Lynn
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| FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update |
Thursday, April 9, 2020
FM_#242- Sgt Brian Johnson - Check On Your Neighbors 4/6/20 (audio)
FM #242 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 242 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin Police Sgt Brian Johnson. Sgt Johnson is the Public Information Officer for the Police Dept and we had a great conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Can you have a conversation about the Franklin Police Dept and not discuss their four-legged star? Listen and hear how we had plenty to talk about; how the FPD is responding during this pandemic, how some personnel assignments have been juggled, how they can find time to help celebrate a birthday, and then the call to action to check on our neighbors (to see how they are faring in this period).
The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sgt Johnson and hear about what is happening on the front lines with the Franklin Police Dept. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HBCcQh37
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Police Dept page = https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department
Police Dept Twitter account = https://twitter.com/franklinpolice
Police Dept Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/Franklin-Police-Department-162770995915/?fref=ts
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin Police Sgt Brian Johnson. Sgt Johnson is the Public Information Officer for the Police Dept and we had a great conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Can you have a conversation about the Franklin Police Dept and not discuss their four-legged star? Listen and hear how we had plenty to talk about; how the FPD is responding during this pandemic, how some personnel assignments have been juggled, how they can find time to help celebrate a birthday, and then the call to action to check on our neighbors (to see how they are faring in this period).
The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sgt Johnson and hear about what is happening on the front lines with the Franklin Police Dept. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HBCcQh37
--------------
Police Dept page = https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department
Police Dept Twitter account = https://twitter.com/franklinpolice
Police Dept Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/Franklin-Police-Department-162770995915/?fref=ts
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
- If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like something here, please let me know
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| FM_#242- Sgt Brian Johnson - Check On Your Neighbors 4/6/20 (audio) |
FM #239 Recreation Dept Director, Ryan Jette 4/02/20 (audio)
FM #239 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 239 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Recreation Department Director Ryan Jette. We had this conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about the Recreation activities underway, those being planned/and or rescheduled as needed in these times. Stay tuned for a new date for Earth Day, hopefully we’ll get a date when we can be out and about.
We also hear about a couple of construction projects that are on hold right now. You’ll hear about the work at Fletcher Field for the new street hockey and basketball court and with the safety netting at the high school ball fields.
This recording runs about 18 minutes, so listen to my conversation with Ryan and see what the Recreation Dept will have in store for us post-pandemic.
Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWhFv1l7
--------------
Recreation Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinRecreationDepartment/
Recreation twitter account https://twitter.com/FranklinRec
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Recreation Department Director Ryan Jette. We had this conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about the Recreation activities underway, those being planned/and or rescheduled as needed in these times. Stay tuned for a new date for Earth Day, hopefully we’ll get a date when we can be out and about.
We also hear about a couple of construction projects that are on hold right now. You’ll hear about the work at Fletcher Field for the new street hockey and basketball court and with the safety netting at the high school ball fields.
This recording runs about 18 minutes, so listen to my conversation with Ryan and see what the Recreation Dept will have in store for us post-pandemic.
Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWhFv1l7
--------------
Recreation Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinRecreationDepartment/
Recreation twitter account https://twitter.com/FranklinRec
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
- If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
- If you don't like something here, please let me know
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| FM #239 Recreation Dept Director, Ryan Jette 4/02/20 (audio) |
Goodness from the Twitterverse!
#1 -
Jeff Melo (@Coach_MeloPE) tweeted at 1:19 PM on Wed, Apr 08, 2020:
@OakStElementary @jfkladybugs @parmenterschool @DT_Bobcats @JeffersonLabs @KellerSchool
@FPSHealthPE @FranklinPSNews @MrBanksPE @MrsCartersPE @MrsDoylePE @coachnordberg @MrMcCabePE @MrHendrixson @somegoodnews
Coming soon...
#PEatHome https://t.co/YoMptQhYWC
(https://twitter.com/Coach_MeloPE/status/1247937218720804870?s=03)
#2
Jeff Melo (@Coach_MeloPE) tweeted at 1:19 PM on Wed, Apr 08, 2020:
@OakStElementary @jfkladybugs @parmenterschool @DT_Bobcats @JeffersonLabs @KellerSchool
@FPSHealthPE @FranklinPSNews @MrBanksPE @MrsCartersPE @MrsDoylePE @coachnordberg @MrMcCabePE @MrHendrixson @somegoodnews
Coming soon...
#PEatHome https://t.co/YoMptQhYWC
(https://twitter.com/Coach_MeloPE/status/1247937218720804870?s=03)
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| #PEatHome https://t.co/YoMptQhYWC |
#2
Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted at 7:55 PM on Wed, Apr 08, 2020:
Making people happy one song at a time!
Making people happy one song at a time! https://t.co/kSiw7POkzS— Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) April 8, 2020
#3
James H. Barrett (@MusicWithMrJHB) tweeted at 8:37 PM on Wed, Apr 08, 2020:
Acapella... first time using this app... wrote and recorded this in like 5 minutes... totally goofy... https://t.co/42ECFNkCnX @franklinculture @FranklinMatters @JeffersonLabs @DT_Bobcats @FCC02038 @FranklinHSMusic @RMS_Remdawgs @FranklinPSNews @FranklinEdOrg Thanks 4 listening!! https://t.co/s1alxIVxJZ
Acapella... first time using this app... wrote and recorded this in like 5 minutes... totally goofy... https://t.co/42ECFNkCnX @franklinculture @FranklinMatters @JeffersonLabs @DT_Bobcats @FCC02038 @FranklinHSMusic @RMS_Remdawgs @FranklinPSNews @FranklinEdOrg Thanks 4 listening!! pic.twitter.com/s1alxIVxJZ— James H. Barrett (@MusicWithMrJHB) April 9, 2020
Once Upon a Town: Schools - Franklin MA
Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to learn about the "Schools of Franklin"
https://youtu.be/t_84bSElH30
https://youtu.be/t_84bSElH30
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