Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/267007
If you have a child under age 17, the Child Tax Credit may save you money at tax time. Here are some key facts the IRS wants you to know about the credit. • Amount. The non- refundable Child Tax Credit may help cut your federal income tax by up to $1,000 for each quali- fying child you claim on your tax return. • Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s . A child must pass seven tests to qualify for this credit: 1. Age test. The child was under age 17 at the end of 2013. 2. Relationship test. The child is your son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, step- brother, or stepsister. A child can also be a descendant of any of these persons. For example, your grandchild, niece or nephew will meet this test. Adopted children also qualify. An adopted child includes a child law- fully placed with you for legal adoption. 3. Support test. The child did not provide more than half of his or her own support for 2013. 4. Dependent test. You claim the child as a dependent on your 2013 federal income tax return. 5. Joint return test. A married child can't file a joint return with their spouse they are filing jointly only to claim a tax refund. 6. Citizenship test. The child must be a U.S. citi- zen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien. For more see Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens. 7. Residence test. In most cases, the child must have lived with you for more than half of 2013. • Limitations. Your fil- ing status and income may reduce or eliminate the credit. • Additional Child Tax Credit. If you get less than the full Child Tax Credit, you may qualify for the refundable Addi- tional Child Tax Credit. This means you could get a refund even if you owe no tax. • Schedule 8812. If you qualify to claim the Child Tax Credit, make sure to check whether you must file Schedule 8812, Child Tax Credit, with your return. If you qualify to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit, you must complete and attach Schedule 8812. • Interactive Tax Assis- tant Tool. You can use the ITA tool at IRS.gov to see if you can claim the cred- it. The tool can answer many of your tax ques- tions. For more on this topic see IRS Publication 972, Child Tax Credit, at IRS.gov. You can have it mailed by calling 800- TAX-FORM (800-829- 3676). 3B Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – Daily News Know your cleaning products Two women, different locations, same accident. Both women, using an ordinary commercial toilet- bowl cleaner, were not satis- fied with the way it was removing stains. Each added household chlorine bleach and stirred with a brush. One died quickly, the other spent a long time in the hospital. Here's the problem: Whenever chlorine bleach comes into contact with acid or an acid-producing sub- stance like toilet-bowl cleaner or vinegar, there is a sudden release of chlorine gas. This is not a good thing! A similar result occurs when chlorine bleach is mixed with ammonia, lye or other alkaline sub- stances. Chlorine gas is lethal. Now that I have your attention, let me assure you: If you stay clear of chlorine bleach, you have noth- ing to fear by making your own cleaning products. But, you may be wondering, why should you even consider doing that? The cost, for starters. You know that blue window cleaner sitting on your counter? You paid about 28 cents an ounce for it, and it's 95 percent water. Your own products will cost only pennies to make and will not con- tain toxic chemicals that could be harmful to your family and the environment. Glass and window cleaners Club soda, straight up. For a light-duty glass cleaner, just pour club soda (less than 2 cents an ounce) into a spray bottle and you have a very effective, non-toxic glass cleaner. How simple and cheap is that? Vinegar and water. Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle. If glass is particular- ly dirty, wash with warm soapy water first. Ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Heavy-duty formu- la. Mix household ammonia and rub- bing alcohol togeth- er in equal proportions in a spray bottle. Label and keep out of reach of children. This is strong stuff and powerful, too! All-purpose cleaner: Combine 1/2 cup ammo- nia, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into a gallon of warm water. Mix well. Tub and tile cleaner: This is a terrific home- made version of Soft Scrub. Make sure you measure the ingredients exactly: In a small bowl mix together 1 2/3 cups baking soda with 1/2 cup of liquid soap (not detergent). Dilute with 1/2 cup water and add 2 tablespoons white vinegar. Stir with a fork until smooth and all the lumps are gone. Pour into a 16-ounce squeeze con- tainer with a squirt flip-top cap (like a ketchup bottle or similar). Shake well before each use. Keep tightly capped between uses. Hint: Rinse the flip-top cap after each use so that it won't get clogged. Disinfectants Soap. Regular cleaning with plain soap and hot water will kill some bacteria. Borax. Borax (Twenty-Mule Team is one brand of borax) has excellent disinfectant and deodoriz- ing properties. Mix 1/2 cup borax (available in the supermarket laun- dry aisle) into one gallon hot water, and mix thoroughly. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. This is an excellent disinfectant. Sponge on and allow to dry. It must dry to do its job. Use in a well-ven- tilated area, and wear gloves. Toilet-bowl cleaners Baking soda and vine- gar. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. This combination both cleans and deodorizes. Borax and lemon juice. For removing a stubborn stain or ring, mix enough borax and lemon juice to form a paste. Apply the paste to the ring, allow to sit for two hours, and scrub thoroughly. DPL's own "Cheapskate Solutions" booklet con- tains more than 120 more recipes and solutions for household prod- ucts that you can make yourself ... cheaper and better. Get the latest updated version today. Available as a digital download eBooklet for $3.99 or as a printed Booklet for $7 (price includes shipping) at Debt- ProofLiving.com. Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. Include your first and last name and state. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 24 books, including her 2013 release "The Smar t Woman's Guide to Planning for Retirement." Mary Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Rubes By Leigh Ruben Pine Street Plaza 332 Pine Street, Suite G Red Bluff, CA (800) 843-4271 Stacy L. Garcia Hearing Aid Dispenser Lic. #7440 Every Wednesday March 6, 13, 20 & 27 Local Calendar Submit calendar items to P.O. Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or clerk@redbluffdailynews.com. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Red Bluff Adult Carving Class, 10 a.m. to noon, Red Bluff Veterans Memor- ial Hall, Corner of Jackson and Oak streets, 527-0768 Al-Anon, noon to 1 p.m., Presbyterian Church, Jefferson and Hick- ory Alcohol, Anger and Abuse Group, Call for group time and loca- tion, 528-0226 Dance with Juana, noon to 1 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Nurturing Parenting Dads Program, 10 a.m. to noon, 1860 Wal- nut St. #D, Shasta Room, call Keith at 527-8491, ext. 3012 Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents, 9 to 10 a.m., 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, ext. 3012 PAL Martial Arts Women's Self Defense, 5:30-6:30 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, 840-0345 Penny Bingo, 10 a.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and practice, 6:30 p.m., Tyler Jelly building at Tehama District Fairground Red Bluff Kiwanis, noon, Elks Lodge Senior Dance, 7 p.m., Westside Grange, Walnut Street Soroptimist International of Red Bluff, 5:30 p.m., Community and Senior Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., siredbluffclub@yahoo.com Team Kid, 5:30 p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 585 Kimball Road, 527-5083 TeenScreen Mental Health Appointments, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free by appointment only, Youth Empowerment Services, 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, Ext. 3012 Tehama Coffee Party Loyalists, 6 p.m., Cozy Diner 259 Main St. Waterbirth Class, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Columba Room, 529-8026 Weight Watchers meeting, 5:30 p.m., 485 Antelope Blvd., #N, 1- 800-651-6000 Widowed Persons Breakfast, 8 a.m., Tremont Cafe Y-FI Middle and High School Youth Group, 6:30-8 p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345 David Ave., 527-0543 Corning Corning Rotary, noon, Rolling Hills Casino, Timbers Steak House, 2655 Barham Ave., corningrotary.org Exchange Club membership meeting, 7 p.m., Iron Skillet Latina Leadership Group, 9 a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Nutrition Classes, 12:30-2 p.m., West Street FRC, 824-7670 School Readiness Play Group, 10-11:30 a.m., up to 5 years, free, Family Resource Center, 1480 South St., 824-4111 Spanish Adult Education, 5 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Strategies for Success, Life Skill classes, 1:30 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 VFW Charity Bingo, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 1620 Solano St., 824-5957 Los Molinos Bible Study, 1 p.m., Sherwood Manor, 7975 Sherwood Blvd.All welcome., Pastor Clyde Brant, 347-1330 Chamber of Commerce, 6:30 p.m., 7904 Highway 99E Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS, 8:30 a.m., 25160 Josephine St., 385-1068 Cottonwood Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group, educational stakeholders meeting, 6:30 p.m., Community Center, 347-6637 Cottonwood Library Story Time, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Cotton- wood Library,3427 Main St., 347-4818 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 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 per class, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Good Morning Red Bluff, 7:50 a.m., Durango RV Resort Imagination Train storyhour, 4 p.m., Tehama County Library Kelly-Griggs House Museum, 1-3 p.m., 311 Washington St., group tours by appointment, 527-1129 Live country music, with dinner at the Veterans Hall, 5-7 p.m. Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association, 10 a.m., Tehama Dis- trict 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. Phoenix Community Support Group for those getting over chemical dependency, 11:30 a.m., Presbyterian Church, 838 Jeffer- son St., 945-2349 Pinochle for Seniors, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 1500 S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Exchange Club, noon, M&M Ranch House, 645 Ante- lope Blvd. #1 Rock Choir, 4 p.m., 601 Monroe St., free, all welcome Senior Chair Volleyball, 1 p.m. Community Center, 1500 S. Jack- son St. Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters, noon, Rabobank, 500 Luther Road, 529-3556 Swinging Squares Square Dance Club, 7 p.m., Red Bluff Com- munity and Senior Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., for beginner or review classes, call 529-1615 Widowed Persons Dinner, 5 p.m., Veterans Hall The Child Tax Credit may cut your tax Community Clip? e-mail: clerk@red- bluffdailynews.com or Fax: 527-9251 ServSafe Food Safety sertification workshop NEC Small Business Development Center at Butte College presents "ServSafe Food Safety Training & Certification" workshop 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at 2480 Notre Dame Blvd. Chico. The cost is $120 per person prepaid or $130 at the door including ServSafe textbook, or $80 prepaid and $90 at the door without book. California Uniform Retail Food Facility Law requires re-testing and re- certification of competence in Food Safety and Sanita- tion every 5 years. Re-tak- ing and successfully passing this required test is neces- sary to renew your certifica- tion. This course includes the National Restaurant Association ServSafe exam, ServSafe Essentials, manu- al, Scranton (test sheets) and certificate. The training is recognized by the State of California Health Depart- ment & fulfills State Certifi- cation obligations. Pre-registration is required. Please register online, call or stop by, NEC Small Business Develop- ment Center (SBDC) at Butte College, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico, 530- 895-9017, www.bcsbdc.org to register and for informa- tion.