USA Government News

Expanded Recovery Act Tax Credits Help Homeowners

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:56:00 +0000

People can now weatherize their homes and be rewarded for their efforts. According to the Internal Revenue Service, homeowners making energy-saving improvements this fall can cut their winter heating bills and lower their 2009 tax bill as well.

Expanded Recovery Act Tax Credits Help Homeowners

Disaster Preparedness Costs Little, Saves A Lot

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:07:00 +0000

Just as every home should have a smoke alarm, every home should have an emergency supply kit packed and ready. And being prepared doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Disaster Preparedness Costs Little, Saves A Lot

Toyota Issues Vehicle Safety Advisory for Various Models

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Recent events have prompted Toyota to take a closer look at the potential for an accelerator pedal to get stuck in the full open position due to an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. Toyota Issues Vehicle Safety Advisory for Various Models

Sexual Harassment: Private Prison Settles Retaliation Claims for Women

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:24:00 +0000

EEOC Says Male Managers Demanded Sexual Favors From Female Subordinates, Sexual Harassment: Private Prison Settles Retaliation Claims for Women

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among Adults

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:01:00 +0000

In 2008, an estimated 8.3 million adults aged 18 or older (3.7 percent of the adult population) had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year; 2.3 million (1.0 percent) made a suicide plan; and, 1.1 million (0.5 percent) attempted suicide. Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among Adults

Free College Money for Foster Youth

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:12:00 +0000

If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don't have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you're in school. Free College Money for Foster Youth

IRS: Ten Facts about the First-Time Homebuyer Credit

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:34:00 +0000

Many taxpayers who purchase a home this year will qualify for an $8,000 federal tax credit. The refundable first-time homebuyer credit is a major tax provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. But time is running out to qualify for this credit. IRS: Ten Facts about the First-Time Homebuyer Credit

Free Nursing CEUs: Good Laboratory Practices for Molecular Genetic Testing

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The goal of this report is to improve the quality and usefulness of laboratory services for genetic testing to achieve better health outcomes for the public. Free Nursing CEUs: Good Laboratory Practices for Molecular Genetic Testing for Heritable Diseases and Conditions

IRS: Hidden Offshore Accounts, IRS Extends Deadline to October 15, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:16:00 +0000

The Internal Revenue Service today announced a one-time extension of the deadline for special voluntary disclosures by taxpayers with unreported income from hidden offshore accounts. These taxpayers now have until Oct. 15, 2009. IRS: Hidden Offshore Accounts, IRS Extends Deadline to October 15, 2009

Mortgage Relief Services Scams: FTC Announces New Crackdown

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:30:00 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission today announced two new law enforcement actions in a continuing crackdown on mortgage foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams, bringing to 22 the number of these cases the Commission has filed since the housing crisis began. The FTC also announced developments in similar pending mortgage-related action. Mortgage Relief Services Scams: FTC Announces New Crackdown

California Prescription Drug-Monitoring System Unveils Statewide

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:05:00 +0000

The recent deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and Michael Jackson have made clear to the whole world just how dangerous prescription drug abuse can be," said Brown. "Today, my office is inaugurating a high-tech monitoring system that will enable doctors and law enforcement to identify and stop prescription-drug seekers from doctor-shopping and abusing prescription drugs. California Prescription Drug-Monitoring System

Auto Insurance Fraud Increases as Economy Worsens

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:05:00 +0000

Financially desperate residents and scam artists may be committing more automobile insurance fraud to cash in on insurance money. Auto Insurance Fraud Increases as Economy Worsens

Uncle Sam Seeking New Artists

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:06:00 +0000

The United States Mint is inviting artists from throughout the United States to apply for participation in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) to help enrich and invigorate the design of coins and medals. Uncle Sam Seeking New Artists

Cash for Clunkers Wraps up with Nearly 700,000 car sale

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:53:00 +0000

T he CARS program came to a close Tuesday night with nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the roads, replaced by far more fuel efficient vehicles. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted by the 8 p.m. deadline, under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program. Cash for Clunkers Wraps up with Nearly 700,000 car sale

Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Scammers Still Prey on Stressed

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:29:00 +0000

As previously reported in FDIC Consumer News, many homeowners having difficulty making their monthly mortgage payments are being targeted by criminals who charge large upfront fees and falsely "guarantee" to rescue a home from foreclosure. Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Scammers Still Prey on Stressed

IRS: Eight Things to Know If You Receive an IRS Notice

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:49:00 +0000

Every year, the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers. Many taxpayers will receive this correspondence during the late summer and fall. Here are eight things every taxpayer should know about IRS notices â€" just in case one shows up in your mailbox. IRS: Eight Things to Know If You Receive an IRS Notice

Mortgage Fraud: Nine Sentenced in Alaska's Largest Mortgage Fraud Investigation

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:19:00 +0000

United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on August 21, 2009, lead defendant was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his leadership of a large-scale mortgage fraud scheme. Mortgage Fraud: Nine Sentenced in Alaska's Largest Mortgage Fraud Investigation

White House Council on Women and Girls Invitation to discuss Women & Healthcare

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:44:00 +0000

This Wednesday is the 89^th Anniversary of women getting the right to vote! To celebrate Women's Equality Day, we are holding a call to update you on the Council on Women and Girls and discuss health reform's impact on women.

IRS: Top Ten Tips for Taxpayers Deducting Casualty and Theft Losses

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Taxpayers who find themselves the victim of a natural disaster or theft this summer should know the rules for deducting their casualty losses next year when they file their federal tax return. Generally, you may deduct losses to your home, household items and vehicles on your federal income tax return. IRS: Top Ten Tips for Taxpayers Deducting Casualty and Theft Losses

IRS: Employee vs. Independent Contractor – Ten Tips for Business Owners

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:32:00 +0000

If you are a small business owner, whether you hire people as independent contractors or as employees will impact how much taxes you pay and the amount of taxes you withhold from their paychecks. IRS: Employee vs. Independent Contractor – Ten Tips for Business Owners

Over 1 Million DVD Players Recalled by Wal-Mart Due to Fire Hazard

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Wal-Mart has received 12 reports of DVD players overheating, five of which have resulted in fires that caused property damage. No injuries have been reported. Over 1 Million DVD Players Recalled by Wal-Mart Due to Fire Hazard

Phony Job Placement Scam: Guaranteed' Jobs Never Materialized

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:37:00 +0000

A U.S. district court has halted a phony job placement operation that allegedly stole money from job seekers by promising them full-time work, with benefits, that never materialized, the Federal Trade Commission announced today.Phony Job Placement Scam: Guaranteed' Jobs Never Materialized

Substance Abuse Grants:Feds Awards $60 Million To 565 Drug-Free Communities

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, awarded $60 million in Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Continuation Grants to 565 Drug-Free Communities coalitions and five DFC Mentor Continuation coalitions. These grants will assist local community coalitions as they work to prevent and reduce youth substance use. Substance Abuse Grants:Feds Awards $60 Million To 565 Drug-Free Communities

OSHA grantees offer free training on pandemic flu hazards and SHMS design

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:35:00 +0000

West Virginia University Safety and Health Extension, an OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipient, is offering healthcare professionals and staff at small hospitals and healthcare facilities a free, four-hour pandemic influenza hazard awareness course Aug. 20 in Hagerstown, Md., and Aug. 21 in Lewes, Del. OSHA grantees offer free training on pandemic flu hazards and SHMS design

IRS: For Many Small Businesses, Fall Filing Deadline Looms for Special Refund Claims

noreply@blogger.com (jenner) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:15:00 +0000

Time is running out for many small businesses wishing to take advantage of the expanded business loss carryback option included in this year'S recovery law, the Internal Revenue Service said today. Eligible individuals have until Oct. 15 to choose this expanded carryback option. Eligible calendar-year corporations have until Sept. 15. For Many Small Businesses, Fall Filing Deadline Looms for Special Refund Claims