HotlinksUnclaimed IRS Refunds for OregoniansThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has 1,310 refund checks worth $1,443,545 for Oregon taxpayers that were returned by the U.S. Post Office due to mailing address errors. Across the county, 107.8 million refund checks worth a combined $123.5 million are waiting for taxpayers to claim them. “We are eager to get this money into the hands of taxpayers, so don’t delay if you think you are missing a refund,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “The sooner you update your address information, the quicker you can get your refund.” All a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once. The IRS will then send out all checks due. Undeliverable refund checks average $1,104 per Oregonian this year, compared to $930 last year. Some taxpayers are due more than one check. Average undeliverable refunds rose by 16 percent this year, which is in line with the 16 percent rise in average refunds for all tax returns in the latest filing season. Several changes in tax law likely played a role in boosting refunds, including the First-Time Homebuyer’s Credit and the Recovery Rebate Credit, among others. The vast majority of checks mailed out by the IRS each year reach their rightful owner. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable. If a refund check is returned to the IRS as undeliverable, taxpayers can generally update their addresses with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. The tool enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her social security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2008 return. The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems. Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will be given instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954. Comprehensive FDA list of recalled peanut butter itemsUse this comprehensive and updated list from the FDA to track what products have been recalled. Portland Police Bureau's Sunshine DivisionThe Sunshine Division continues its fundamental mission: to provide emergency food and clothing relief year-round to Portland families and individuals in need. Demand has grown by more than 40% in 1 year, and the agency needs your help to help those in need this holiday season. The Pain DietCan food help ease your pain? We found a list of five pain fighting foods which may have some role in managing aches and pains. The over-all theme is to eat foods with compounds that can act as an anti-inflammatory. Also, Dr. Oz recommends Capsaicin for a topical treatment of pain. Capsaicin is a compound found in chili peppers. It is now being used in creams and balms. Baby Einstein DVD Refund/UpgradeTo participate, you must have purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009. If you are not satisfied with the Baby Einstein DVD you purchased during the period mentioned above, for a limited time beginning on September 4, 2009 and ending on March 4, 2010, you may exchange it for one of the following: One (1) Baby Einstein Book of your choice One (1) Baby Einstein music CD of your choice - Or - One (1) coupon for 25% off the purchase of one Little Einsteins™ product. Redeemable with promotion code only at DisneyStore.com. or you may return it, and we will refund the current retail value of the DVD ($15.99). Healthy Moms Research StudyKaiser Permanente is looking for pregnant women to participate in its Healthy Moms Research Study. The purpose of the study is to test a new program designed to help women reduce their risk of weight-related health problems during pregnancy. Reservation list for the Oregon Health PlanOn November 1st the Oregon Department of Human services will be taking reservations for Oregon Health Plan Standard coverage for adults. Because there is such a high demand for health care coverage, we will do a random drawing of names from the list. Our goal is to make sure that everyone possible who qualifies for the spots available has an equal chance. Therefore the list will be opened on November 1st and stay open for more than a year. To qualify, uninsured adults must have incomes under the federal poverty level. For adult health care coverage, please come back to this website on November 1 to sign up for the reservation. However, if you have uninsured children, don't wait. Child Safety Seat Resource CenterThe Child Safety Seat Resource Center in Beaverton offers child safety seat training, education and information. Good Morning America story on car seat safetyDo Kids Really Need Car Seats? "SuperFreakonomics" authors suggest seat belts might be good enough. Washington Man Selling Land In HellSEATTLE -- With the economy down and foreclosures at an all-time high, a Seattle man was looking for something he could sell without actually owning it. And that's how Pandemonium Real Estate got into the business of selling plots in Hell. "It really started out to be a comedic affair and it's just gone crazy," said David Cook, who runs the site. "We've had way more than we expected. We just got a call from a celebrity gifting event to possibly have these in the celebrity gift baskets for the Golden Globes next year." The site has listings in nine circles of Hell: Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Wrath & Sloth, Violence, Fraud and Treason. "Hell being the most well-branded idea on the planet, it's got a global reach," said Cook, whose day job is with a dental supply business. Customers looking for a Halloween decoration or a joke gift for a co-worker can spend $50 to $3,000 depending on the location and type of deed. "It's actually a work of art," Cook said of the custom handmade scrolls and framed ownership titles. He didn't expect a lot of attention, but orders are pouring in and he's getting calls from around the world. Asked for property advice for journalists, Cook said we would probably be with the lawyers in the circle of fraud. "You could have a spot right there on the River Styx," he said. "We're having fun with it. It's just been one joke after another." But the project doesn't have everyone laughing. "Now we're actually getting calls from some on the extreme religious right," Cook said. "They are taking great offense at this, and I just have to laugh and ask if they get a sense of humor." Cook, who considers himself a Christian, was worried at first but realizes "it is what it is and we're just having fun. It clearly is a joke from top to bottom." Cook said he hopes to have celebrities sign some of the deeds so they can be auctioned for charity. In the meantime, he's here to help anyone looking for the perfect spot among fire and brimstone. "Circle of lust clearly has been the most popular," he said. "People are wearing that like a badge of honor." H1N1 Vaccine InfoWhere to find information about H1N1 Vaccine Clinics and how to sign up for email updates from the Oregon Health Division. What Should Fareless Square Be Named?As you may already know, TriMet's fare-free zone (currently called Fareless Square) will change to a rail-only free zone in January 2010. TriMet is considering different names for the new fare-free zone and we'd like your opinion. Report a "Nuisance House"Portland's "Neighborhood Inspections Program" still wants to hear from you, even though they don't have the budget to solve every case. Portland Scam JamLearn how to protect yourself from ID theft, investment fraud, repair scams, financial exploitation and much more. Oregon Property Tax Deferral ProgramSALEM—April 15 is the filing deadline for two property tax deferral programs: the Disabled Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program and the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. Bram Ekstrand, Oregon Department of Revenue's deferral program manager, said these programs help low-income seniors and people with disabilities continue living in their homes. "Both deferral programs allow qualified taxpayers to defer payment of their property taxes. The state pays the taxes to the county, maintains the account, and charges 6-percent simple interest, which is also deferred," he said. The state places a lien on the property. The lien is paid when the taxpayer sells the property, permanently moves off the property—other than for short-term health reasons—or if the property changes ownership. A surviving spouse may continue on the deferral program if they qualify. "We also work with the property heirs to arrange for repayment of the deferral," Ekstrand said. To qualify for either program, the property must be the taxpayer's main residence. They must have a deed or recorded sales contract. Annual household income must be less than $39,000 for the year before they apply. Participants may stay on either program as long as their federal adjusted gross income is not more than $39,000. If a participant's household income goes over the limit, the department may defer a portion of the property tax. To qualify for the Disabled Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program, you must meet the income and property-ownership requirements. You also must be receiving or be eligible to receive federal Social Security Disability benefits. To qualify for the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program, you must meet the income and property-ownership requirements, and be at least 62 years old by April 15. Applications and information are available at your county assessor's office or the Department of Revenue's website, www.oregon.gov/DOR/SCD. You may also call 1-800-356-4222 (toll-free from an Oregon prefix); 503-378-4988 (Salem and outside Oregon); or e-mail, questions.dor@state.or.us. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204. Because of the volume of calls the department receives during tax season, callers may experience extended waiting times. |
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