IRS Free File offers free tax prep options for military personnel

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded active duty military personnel that IRS Free File offers them multiple options for free federal tax preparation.

Free File is for individuals or families whose adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less last year. Free File is a private-public partnership between the IRS and the Free File Inc.

"The IRS takes special steps to help military members and their families with their taxes, and the Free File program is part of that effort," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Almost 10% of the IRS workforce are veterans. We greatly appreciate the service to the nation of every veteran and their supportive families, and we will do all we can to assist them."

For active duty military and their spouses, Free File has a special offer. Individuals and their families who meet the income limitation may choose from any of nine companies without regard to additional eligibility requirements.

The nine special offers are from 1040Now, Inc., FileYourTaxes.com, Free tax Returns.com, H&R Block, On-Line Taxes, Inc., Tax ACT, TaxHawk, Inc., TaxSlayer (English and Spanish) and TurboTax.

Active duty military stationed in combat zones also have more time to file their tax returns. However, those with spouses and families may opt to file as soon as they are able to claim various tax benefits for which they may be eligible. If only one spouse is present to file a joint return, they must have proper authorization to file a joint tax return on behalf of their spouse.

The IRS will begin processing tax returns on Jan. 27. With Free File, you can use any digital device, personal computer, tablet or smart phone. Free File products are mobile enabled so you can do your taxes on your smart phone or tablet and e-File with your hand-held device.

Here's how Free File works:

1. Go to IRS.gov/FreeFile to see all Free File options.
2. Military personnel who meet the income requirement can select from any of the nine providers that have "Free for Active Military for Adjusted Gross Income of $69,000 or less" in their offer. Nine of the 10 partners are making the offer. One product is in Spanish.
3. Select a provider and follow the links to their web page to begin your tax return.
4. Complete and e-File your tax return only if you have all the income and deduction records you need. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and selecting direct deposit. If you owe, use direct pay or electronic options.

Generally, each Free File partner sets additional eligibility requirements that civilian taxpayers must meet. Non-military personnel should use the "look up" tool at IRS.gov/FreeFile to find the best match.

Military members can get more information on their special tax benefits at IRS.gov/military.

Free File is available now through October to accommodate extension filers.

IRS Free File offers free tax prep options for military personnel

Both FHS varsity basketball teams post wins vs. North Attleboro

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Tuesday.

Boys Basketball = North Attleboro, 29 @ Franklin, 72 – Final
– Franklin bounced back from its first loss in a big way, running away with a win against visiting North Attleboro. After a back-and-forth first quarter saw the Panthers take a 17-14 lead, Franklin’s defense clamped down and didn’t allow more than six points in a quarter the rest of the way. Franklin senior Brayden Sullivan scored a career-high 28 points, hitting on a three-pointer in each of the first three quarters while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Chris Edgehill added 16 points in the win for Franklin while sophomore Brody Rosenberg netted a team-high nine points for North Attleboro.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 53 @ North Attleboro, 33 – Final
– Franklin remained unbeaten with a road win at North Attleboro. The Panthers scored 24 points in the first quarter to get off to a perfect start, led by 18 at the half, and then held North to only three points in the third to put the game away. Ali Brigham was the game’s top scorer with 26 points and Olivia Quinn put up 13 for the Panthers. Franklin also used its advantage in the paint to dominate on the glass. On a rough shooting night for the Rocketeers, Regan Fein led the way with nine points and Amanda Kaiser added eight.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 4 vs. Westwood, 5 – Final
– Franklin went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the state in Westwood but the Wolverines scored with less than a minute to go in the game to earn the win.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-14-20/

Both FHS varsity basketball teams posts wins vs. North Attleboro

 

Franklin Recycles almost 37,000 Pounds of Clothing Last 2 Months of 2019

We are pleased to announce the clothing recycling program in Franklin has been more than successful. Clothing pickup started mid-November and we have collected 36,949 pounds of clothing in the pink bags.

Please spread the news and let everyone you know to take advantage of the easiest way to recycle/reuse clothing. More bags can be sent to you by going to simplerecycling.com.

By using this valuable program you save time and money. All money received for the clothing goes to offset the curbside trash and recycling fee.

 

Franklin Recycles almost 37,000 Pounds of Clothing Last 2 Months of 2019

For more about the clothing recycle program
https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/franklin-recycles-almost-37000-pounds-clothing-last-2-months-2019

Decoding the Kid Behind the IEP: A Quick Guide - Jan 16

UPCOMING WORKSHOP = Decoding the Kid Behind the IEP: A Quick Guide

WHEN: Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 7 PM – 9 PM

WHERE: Franklin Municipal Building, 3rd floor training room. Take the stairs or elevator to the third floor and head RIGHT!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when describing your child? You know your child best! But it can be difficult to give people the right information (but not too much info!) to help them understand.

A Face Sheet is a 1-page summary sheet about your child; a simple overview in a friendly format. Face Sheets make it easy to share important info with educators/ care providers/ coaches/ specialists/ extended family members/ etc.

Come join us to create a Face Sheet for your child(ren)! This workshop will be facilitated by Elise Stokes, a parent and educational consultant.

We will also have a special presentation by Directory of Student Services, Paula Marano about Franklin's "Portrait of a Graduate."

This will be a productive and informative evening and we look forward to seeing you!

*Bring a laptop if you have one!

Decoding the Kid Behind the IEP: A Quick Guide - Jan 16

Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1216819820597075973

For more about Franklin Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
http://franklinsepac.org/

Franklin Cultural District meeting - Jan 22

Dear Franklin Cultural District Partners,

The next meeting of the Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) is scheduled for:  Wednesday, January 22 at 7:00 PM in the 3rd Floor Training Room in the Municipal Building.

This Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) received a $5,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The funds must be spent by June 30, 2020. The FCDC has earmarked $500 for marketing/promotion of the Cultural District. Importantly, the FCDC would like to distribute $4,500 to Cultural District Partners to fund cultural events associated with ArtWeek (May 1 to May 10) and/or the Strawberry Stroll (June 12).

Cultural District Partners are invited to this meeting to share their ideas/suggestions about the disbursement of these grant funds. Please attend this meeting and share your ideas.

Best,

Pandora

____________________

Pandora Carlucci, Ed.D.
Cultural District Committee Member
pcarluccifranklinculture@gmail.com

Franklin Cultural District meeting - Jan 22

MBTA - Commuter Rail will operate regular schedule for MLK Day

The Commuter Rail will be operating on a regular weekday schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, 2020.

For more information: http://www.mbta.com/holidays

Last Updated: Jan 14 2020 10:22 AM

MBTA - Commuter Rail will operate regular schedule for MLK Day

Franklin Residents: "Adopt a hydrant" Program available

"The Franklin Department of Public Works has created a new program that will give residents the opportunity to help the Fire Department ensure hydrants are clear and visible after a snow storm.This will speed the response time in case of an emergency and alleviate time spent by firefighters searching for and clearing hydrants buried in drifts or plowed snow. 

Adopt a hydrant

Volunteers should clear at least a 3' circle of snow from the area around the hydrant and wear visible and appropriate weather related clothing when clearing snow. Hand shoveling or using a snow blower is the best option for clearing snow from a hydrant, please do not use a snow plow.

Residents and civic groups (Scouts, local youth groups, Franklin High School teams, etc.) can "adopt" a hydrant or hydrants. This is intended to be a commitment for the 2019/2020 snow season and can be applied towards student community service hours.

Please contact us if you know of any hydrants that are located near a resident's house and they are not physically able to clear the hydrant themselves. These hydrants can be delineated as "high priority" and would be highlighted in yellow and available to adopt.

If you have any questions, difficulty selecting and adopting a hydrant, or are a student and would like to adopt a hydrant as part of your community service requirements, please email RoseanneS@franklinma.gov for more information."

This was shared from the Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/931498886934582/posts/2830605863690532/


To Adopt-A-Hydrant, please sign up at this link:
http://townoffranklin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9b2624de1eaf43b8acb5e62ccba2e9d1

Franklin Residents: "Adopt a hydrant" Program available