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2B Daily News – Thursday, January 2, 2014 Check cashing fees: Are they legal? Dear Mary: A friend repaid a personal loan of $900 by giving me his personal check, drawn on Bank of America. I took it to a local branch. They charged me $6 to cash it. Is this fee legal? Would it have been less had the check been for a smaller amount? -James, California Dear James: It is both legal and fairly common for non-account holders to be charged a check-cashing fee. It's a lot like using an ATM that belongs to a bank where you don't have an account. Not all banks or credit unions have such a charge, however. Some apply it differently depending on whether the check is drawn on a business or personal account, while others have a fee if the amount of the check exceeds say $150. It's random. I think we will see fees like these increase as banks look for more ways to enhance their profits margins. Dear Mary: Thank you for making our world a better place with your common sense advice. I would like to explain why I think our daughter may inspire you. In 1976, our daughter Stephanie was born with cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida and a premature birth weight of 2 pounds, 4 ounces. She was tiny, but very bright and beautiful. Although Stephanie experiences lower paralysis and has never walked, she has never let her physical limitations disable her ability to live a productive and happy life. Her early life was dominated by multiple surgeries to improve balance and muscle tightness, yet her determination to achieve self- financial future? She is a very hard reliance and independence worker who I believe makes our world a brighter place. At 36, she is grew. She graduated from high not thinking about life at 66, so school, went on to receive a receiving good advice now could prove to be priceless later. BA degree from - Gary, Michigan Oakland UniverDear Gary: What an sity and a Masters inspiring story. Stephanie from both Michigan sounds like an amazing State University and the young woman. ContributUniversity of South ing to her employer's Florida. retirement plan from a Stephanie is currently young age is giving her a a licensed mental health great start on planning for counselor in Florida and retirement. has worked for a faithWatch your mailbox, based homeless shelter Mary because I am sending in Tampa Bay for Stephanie a copy of my approximately the past new book, "The Smart eight years. She enjoys Woman's Guide to Planher work very much and ning for Retirement." It's works with wonderful an easy read and will intropeople. She contributes duce her to the six simple to a 403(b) each year, has strategies every woman, no no debt and does have some savings. She is very grateful matter her age, needs to understand for her job, her friends and her co- and start working on today. I know Stephanie is going to love my new workers. She gets up before 4:00 a.m. book because, in a way, it feels like each day to ready herself for work perhaps I wrote it just for her. and to give herself enough time to Mary invites questions at catch the bus. She never complains, mary@everydaycheapskate.com, instead she praises God for the miracles she perceives daily. She or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. inspires me, gives me hope and Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. This column will answer questions makes me proud to be her dad. Last year she underwent a risky of general interest, but letters lower back surgery to relieve mus- cannot be answered individually. cle tightness and almost-constant Mary Hunt is the founder of a pain. It was successful, but we wor- www.DebtProofLiving.com, ried about what would happen to personal finance member website her if she ever lost her limited and the author of "The Smart mobility. Would you consider Woman's Guide to Planning for advising her on how to plan for her Retirement," released in 2013. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Now is the time to prepare for tax season Wise taxpayers may want to take advantage of winter months indoors to prepare for tax filing season this spring. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree, or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you. Are Social Security benefits taxable? Yes, for some people with higher incomes. About one third of those receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov /planners/taxes.htm. Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes. Beneficiaries should receive their Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2013 on or before January 31, 2014. If you receive Social Security and don't receive your 1099 by the end of January, you can request one online at www.socialsecurity.gov/1099. We had a baby in 2013. Does our child need a Social Security number? Yes. Most people apply for their baby's Social Security number while they're still in the hospital at the same time they register for the birth certificate. But if you didn't, you'll need to apply for your child's Social Security number before you file your tax return in order to claim the child as a dependent. You'll also need it if you ever apply for government benefits on behalf of your child or your family. Learn more about Social Security cards and numbers at www.socialsecurity.gov /ssnumber. I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security? Yes. If you've legally RUBES By Leigh Rubin By Jennifer Cooper Social Security Manager in Redding changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded and you may not get all the benefits you are entitled to when you become eligible for Social Security in the future. Failing to change your name on your Social Security record could also cause a delay in your receipt of any federal income tax refund. You can learn more about your Social Security number and how to change your name at www.socialsecurity.gov /ssnumber. I own a small business. Can I report my employees' W-2s to Social Security electronically? Yes, and we encourage you to do just that at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. Filing your W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! Plus there's an added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s aren't due until March 31. You'll also receive an electronic receipt. And when you enter your W2 information online, you can simultaneously print out the W-2s for your employees. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer. Does Social Security have any tips at this time of year for those filing their taxes? Yes. We encourage you to carefully check: your name, Social Security number, and all data on your W-2s; your online Social Security Statement; and your Social Security card to make sure they all match. If you don't have access to your card or Statement but know your Social Security number, make sure the number and information is correct on your W-2s. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and cause problems with your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are much easier to fix early on. If you do notice an error, contact Social Security at 1800-772-1213 (TTY 1800-325-0778), or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer. For more information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov. Thief carries 250-pound safe out of Mass. eatery WEYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts police are searching for a strong-armed thief who carried a 250-pound safe out of a restaurant. Kevin Hynes says a man walked out of his Stockholders Restaurant in Weymouth on Sunday night lugging the vault. Surveillance tape Established 1947 Business Managers: Stromer Realty Specializing in Residential to Ranches 590 Antelope Blvd Red Bluff (530) 527-3100 www.stromerrealty.com shows the man entering a side door at the rear of the restaurant, heading down the stairs and coming back up carrying a large object wrapped in a trash bag. No arrests have been made. Hynes isn't saying how much money was in the safe, but he's offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the man's arrest. He says he's since bought an even heavier safe and bolted it to the concrete floor. Local Calendar Submit calendar items clerk@redbluffdailynews.com. to P .O. 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 Red Bluff California HEAT Chorus - Sweet Adelines, 7 p.m., Meteer School Room 26, 695 Kimball Road, 895-0139 Childbirth Class, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Columba room, Anita 529-8377 Fun Senior Aerobics, 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Grief Support Group, 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Kristin, 528-4207 Kelly-Griggs House Museum, 1-3 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays, 311 Washington St., tours by appointment,527-1129 or 527-5895 Latino Outreach, noon., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Ste. 101, 528-8066 Live country music, 5-7 p.m., dinner, Veterans Hall National Alliance on Mental Illness, Tehama County Chapter Meeting, 6 p.m., County Department of Education, 1135 Lincoln St.., 515-0151 Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association, 10 a.m., Tehama District Fairground, 529-1603 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Penny Bingo, 10 a.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Pinochle for Seniors, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 1500 S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Phoenix Community Support Group for those getting over chemical dependency, 11:30 a.m., Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St., 945-2349 Red Bluff Exchange Club, noon, M&M Ranch House, 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 Red Bluff Lions Club, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial, 527-8452 Senior Chair Volleyball, 1 p.m. Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters, noon, Rabobank, 500 Luther Road, 529-3556 Swinging Squares Square Dance Club, 7 p.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., beginner or review classes, 529-1615 Tehama County Public Health Advisory Board, noon-3:15 p.m., 1860 Walnut St., Shasta Conference Room, 527-6824 Widowed Persons Dinner, 5 p.m., call 384-2471 for location Women's Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, Call for group time and location, 528-0226 Corning Am-vets, 4 p.m., Corning Veteran's Memorial Hall, 1620 Solano St. Cal-Fresh and Healthy Family Appointments, 1-3 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Corning Patriots, 6 p.m., Senior Center, 824-2332 Dance with Juana, noon to 1 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Diabetes Support Group, noon, Senior Center, 1015 4th Ave. Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, call for group time and location, 528-0226 Dual Diagnosis Group, 1:30, 1600 Solano St., 527-8491, Ext. 3309 Improved Order of Redmen # 203, 7 p.m. Independent Grange 470, 20945 Corning Road, 824-1114 Sewing group, 9 a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Soccer training, 4-6 p.m., except for holidays and rain, Woodson School soccer field, 150 N. Toomes, 824-7680 Women's Support Group, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 Red Bluff Bingo, doors at 5 p.m., early birds at 6 p.m. Community and Senior Center, food available Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m., Bethel Assembly of God, 625 Luther Road, 527-0445 or 366-6298 Game Day, 1 p.m., Community Center, various board games, free Red Bluff Rotary Club Sunrise, 7 a.m., M&M Ranch Tehama County Education Foundation, board meeting, 7:30 a.m., County Department of Education, 1135 Lincoln St. Corning Car Show, 5-9 p.m., Bartels Giant Burger, 22355 Corning Road, local car clubs welcome, 824-2788 Los Molinos Los Molinos Grange, 7 p.m., Grange Hall, 68th and Singer avenues, 529-0930 SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 Red Bluff Frontier Village Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 645 Antelope Blvd. EBT accepted Weight Watchers meeting, 8 a.m., 485 Antelope Blvd. #N, 1-800651-6000 Los Molinos Senior Dance, 7 p.m., Senior Center, Josephine Street, 384-2100 SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 Red Bluff AA Live and Let Live, noon and 8 p.m., 785 Musick St., meets seven days a week Knights of Columbus All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, $5 adult, $3 child or $12 family, Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 2285 Monroe St., 528-1991 MONDAY, JANUARY 6 Red Bluff Al-Anon New Comers At Heart, 7-8 p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345 David Ave., 690-2034 Bend Jelly 4-H, 6 p.m.,Bend School, 527-3101 Community Band rehearsal, 7-9 p.m., Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street, 527-3486 Diabetic Support Group, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Columba Room English as a Second Language class, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Red Bluff High School Adult Ed building, 1295 Red Bud, 736-3308, same time Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Thursdays, free childcare from 9 a..m. to 12:20 p.m. classes in Richlieu Hall, 900 Johnson St. Head Injury Recreational Entity, 10 a.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Rusty, 529-2059 Key to Life, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Ste. 101, 528-8066 Masterworks Chorale rehearsal, 6:45-8 p.m., Red Bluff Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St., 527-4203 Nutrition Classes, 1-2:30 p.m, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, 220 Sycamore #101, 528-7947 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. 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