IR-2020-82: IRS enhances Get My Payment online application to help taxpayers

The Internal Revenue Service today announced significant enhancements to the “Get My Payment” tool to deliver an improved and smoother experience for Americans eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments.

The enhancements, which started last week and continued through the weekend, adjusted several items related to the online tool, which debuted on April 15. The additional changes will help millions of additional taxpayers with new or expanded information and access to adding direct deposit information.

“We delivered Get My Payment with new capabilities that did not exist during any similar relief program, including the ability to receive direct deposit information that accelerates payments to millions of people,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “These further enhancements will help even more taxpayers. We urge people who haven’t received a payment date yet to visit Get My Payment again for the latest information. IRS teams worked long hours to deliver Get My Payment in record time, and we will continue to make improvements to help Americans.”

“We encourage people to check back in and visit Get My Payment,” Rettig added. “These enhancements will help many taxpayers. By using Get My Payment now, more people will be able to get payments quickly by being able to add direct deposit information.”

How to use Get My Payment


Available only on IRS.gov, the online application is safe and secure to use. Taxpayers only need a few pieces of information to quickly obtain the status of their payment and, where needed, provide their bank account information. Having a copy of their most recent tax return can help speed the process.

As a reminder, Get My Payment is a U.S. Government system for authorized use only. The tool is solely for use by individuals or those legally authorized by the individual to access their information. Unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties.

For taxpayers to track the status of their payment, this feature will show taxpayers the scheduled delivery date by direct deposit or mail and the last four digits of the bank account being used if the IRS has direct deposit information. They will need to enter basic information including:

• Social Security number
• Date of birth, and
• Mailing address used on their tax return.

Taxpayers needing to add their bank account information to speed receipt of their payment will also need to provide the following additional information:

• Their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return submitted, either 2019 or 2018
• The refund or amount owed from their latest filed tax return
• Bank account type, account and routing numbers

Get My Payment cannot update bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery. To help protect against potential fraud, the tool also does not allow people to change bank account information already on file with the IRS.

A Spanish version of Get My Payment is expected in a few weeks.

Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments


The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov. People should watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.

More information


The IRS will post frequently asked questions on IRS.gov/coronavirus and will provide updates as soon as they are available.

This was shared from
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-enhances-get-my-payment-online-application-to-help-taxpayers
 

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Apr 28, 2020

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Per Governor Baker’s Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

LOCATION: Remote participation via ZOOM -- link below

Link to Join Meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/94329059693

OR Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the Meeting ID: 94329059693 then press #

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. FY21 Budget Vote
I recommend adoption of the FY21 Budget in the amount of $68,767,873.00 as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

B. Policy – First Readings
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading at the next meeting as detailed:
JFABD (New) – Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services JFABF – Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
JBB – (New) – Educational Equity

C. Policy Elimination
I recommend elimination of Policy JS – Education of Students Identified as Homeless as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Closure Update

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 14, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 10, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Adjournment

The agenda and associated documents released for this meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/april-28-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Apr 28, 2020

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Committee - Agenda - April 27, 2020

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

April 27, 2020 - 5:30 PM

Remote Meeting - Held on “Zoom” Platform

Announcements:
This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

● F or link to Access the Meeting Click HERE then click “Open Zoom”
● Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID 968 2289 6271- then press “#”


Discussion:

1. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw Proposal


The full agenda and associated bylaw proposal can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/04-27-2020_edc_full_agenda_.pdf
 

Memo From Town Administrator Jamie Hellen 

This evening will be an introduction to one of the Town Council’s goals for the 2020-2021 legislative session: inclusionary zoning. I have attached a copy of the proposed bylaw which we will review this evening.

We have all heard the many concerns from residents about the affordable housing crisis in the community, ranging from people who may be struggling to own a home, who may be homeless or in a transient situation, to many children and grandchildren of lifelong Franklinites who are unable to afford a house or rental for a price that a traditional middle class family can afford.

As the median income and median home value in Franklin has risen quickly in the last decade, the staff believes this is a proposal that will help achieve some of the community’s concerns.

Here are some basic points on the proposal:

● Inclusionary zoning is a way to increase affordable housing stock for middle class and low income families by requiring a set amount of units of any multi-family development to have deed restricted units at various income guidelines.

● The staff are suggesting a two tiered system equalling 25% (“Inclusionary Units”) of any project be deemed affordable:

○ “Affordable Units” are 15% of those units that would be under the federal HUD median income guidelines, which qualifies for credit on our Chapter 40B Standard Housing Index (SHI) system. In other words, we get credit for this 15% on our 40B percentage.

○ “Moderate Income Units” are 10% of those units would be under increased income guidelines commensurate with the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which are income guidelines set by CPA and are 20% higher to fit more with Massachusetts Housing markets. These units would not be credited under 40B,

but would address a major public concern of current and future generations not being able to afford Franklin.

● Subdivisions are not susceptible to this bylaw. Only multi-family dwellings over 3 units (rental complexes, condo complexes, and so on).

● An inclusionary plan is required for any project that is for 3 units or higher.

● Income guidelines are included in the bylaw proposal. Affordable units are determined by the federal government, moderate income units are defined by the CPA in state law.

● All of the communities surrounding Franklin have inclusionary zoning bylaw, including Medway, Bellingham, Wrentham and Norfolk with many other communities already accepting similar bylaws or considering them this year.

Example

To illustrate how this works, use the Dean Avenue apartments as an example, which was permitted for 257 units.

If inclusionary zoning had been in place:

● 25% of the 257 is 64.25 units, which would be affordable.

● Under the proposal this would round down to 64 units.

● Thus, 64 units would be deed restricted at income guidelines to assist people trying to afford Franklin housing.

● 25 units would be at higher income limits to CPA, which is at 100% of median income to address the middle class housing crunch.

● 39 units would be a slightly lower income amount, which is 80% of median income, but would count toward our 40B percentage with the state, helping Franklin stay at above 10% to ensure our zoning does not get overruled by development proposals.

I recognize this proposal will generate many questions and look forward to a discussion.

 

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Committee - Agenda - April 27, 2020

FM #254 Talk Franklin - Hellen and Tracey 4/24/20 (audio)

FM #254 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 254 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talked to recap the Town Council special meeting on how and when to re-open for business, the upcoming Board of Health meeting to review the current stand on masks, the Economic Development meeting getting into inclusionary zoning, the ‘spring training’ approach to the budget with a meeting on May 4, and the Department Spotlight to highlight some of the good work being done by the departments in Town.

The recording runs almost about 65 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWwCpCQ7





--------------





The Town of Franklin COVID-19 information portal
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal



The first Dept Spotlight  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/introducing-department-spotlights


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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

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 #254 Talk Franklin - Hellen and Tracey 4/24/20 (audio)

COVID-19 Community Tracing Team: "Just answer the call"

Covid-19 Community Tracing Team https://t.co/xcA72DixSX pic.twitter.com/6HFw7uSqyI

— Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) April 25, 2020

COVID-19 Community Tracing Team: "Just answer the call"

Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1254116321052295169?s=03

For more about Community Tracing
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-community-tracing-collaborative

“We also see little glimmers of hope all around us”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"It’s all going to depend on the data.

Gov. Charlie Baker would not say Friday afternoon whether he plans to extend the economic shutdown currently due to expire May 4, but he detailed what he will be looking at when it comes time to make that decision.

“We are still in this surge and we need to recognize that this insidious and often invisible virus is still making people here in Massachusetts very sick,” the governor said. He later added, “Our view going forward here is going to be that until we start to see some of that kind of information - the peaking of the surge and the move in the other direction - for some sustained period of time, we’re not going to be interested in reopening anything.”

Baker previously has pointed to White House guidance that recommended states could begin to resume greater levels of economic activity after documenting 14 days of declining case counts and on Friday said his administration plans to follow guidance from the federal government, other countries and public health experts before planning an economic reopening. He said Friday that the duration of positive trends necessary to reopen “varies depending upon who you talk to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200425/data-trends-in-massachusetts-will-dictate-timing-of-economic-reopening

COVID-19 Update from Friday, Apr 24, 2020  https://youtu.be/m7FRXO-tLW0

Dry-land activities to do until you get in the water

From the Hockomock YMCA:

"Our YMCA Aquatics team has put together dry-land home activities—no pool required! These home activities help to develop good form and build stamina. When the skill has been mastered on land, it becomes easier to perform in the water."

Find the listing of activities on their page
https://www.hockymca.org/swim-lessons-home-activities/

Dry-land activities to do until you get in the water