Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/29257
Thursday, April 14, 2011 – Daily News – 3B IRS reminds taxpayers to use IRS2Go app to check refunds The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to use new mobile phone applications launched this filing season to check the status of their refunds and to get other tax information on the go. To date, there have been more than 250,000 downloads of the IRS2Go app. In late January, the IRS unveiled IRS2Go, its first smartphone application that lets taxpayers check on the status of their tax refund and obtain helpful tax information. The IRS2Go phone app gives people a convenient way of check- ing on their federal refund. It also gives people a quick way of obtain- ing easy-to-understand tax tips. Apple users can download the free IRS2Go application by visit- ing the Apple App Store. Android users can visit the Android Mar- ketplace to download the free IRS2Go app. The mobile app, among a handful in the federal government, offers a number of safe and secure ways to help taxpayers. Get Your Refund Status Taxpayers can check the status of their federal refund through the new phone app with a few basic pieces of information. First, taxpay- ers enter their Social Security number, which is masked and encrypt- ed for security purposes. Next, taxpayers pick the filing status they used on their tax return. Finally, taxpayers enter the amount of the refund they expect from their 2010 tax return. For people who e-file, the refund function of the phone app will work within about 72 hours after taxpayers receive an e-mail acknowledgement saying the IRS received their tax return. For people filing paper tax returns, longer processing times mean they will need to wait three to four weeks before they can check their refund status. About 70 percent of the 142 million individual tax returns filed were filed electronically last year, and that percentage is expected to rise this year. Get Tax Updates Phone app users enter their e-mail address to automatically get daily tax tips. Tax Tips are simple, straightforward tips and reminders to help with tax planning and preparation. Tax Tips are issued daily during the tax filing season and periodically during the rest of the year. The plain English updates cover topics such as free tax help, child tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, education credits and other topics. Follow the IRS Taxpayers can sign up to follow the IRS Twitter news feed, @IRSnews. IRSnews provides the latest federal tax news and infor- mation for taxpayers. The IRSnews tweets provide easy-to-use infor- mation, including tax law changes and important IRS programs. IRS2Go is the latest IRS effort to provide information to taxpay- ers beyond traditional channels. The IRS also uses tools such as YouTube and Twitter to share the latest information on tax changes, initiatives, products and services through social media channels. For more information on IRS2Go and other new media products, visit www.IRS.gov. The following defen- dants were sentenced in Tehama County Superior Court, according to the Tehama County District Attorney’s Office: —————— Recent State Prison Commitments: • Cody Allen Ross was sentenced to seven years in state prison for arson of an inhabited structure or property, special allega- tion-offense while on bail or O.R., first degree resi- dential burglary, special allegation-offense while on bail or O.R. Ross and his compan- ions broke into a home belonging to a relative of Ross’. While inside the home Ross and compan- ions stole numerous items and then set the place on fire before leaving. • Samantha Marie Hughes was sentenced to four years and eight months in state prison for child endangerment, pos- session of a controlled substance. Hughes was originally granted formal probation. She violated her probation when she failed to keep in contact with probation and failed to appear in court as ordered. • Geovanni Rafael Montecinos was sentenced to four years in state prison for possession of a controlled substance in jail, special allegation- prior strike. Montecinos was in cus- tody of the California Department of Corrections when officers searched his locker and located mari- juana. • Jason Noble Farmer was sentenced to four years in state prison for corporal injury to cohabi- tant. Deputies were dis- patched to a residence regarding a disturbance. Take the waterfall challenge As part of the larger National Park Week celebration, the 5th annual Waterfall Week celebration begins on April 16 at Whiskey- town National Recreation Area and continues through April 24. This special event is designated as a fee-free period throughout the National Park Service to encour- age visitors to experience and dis- cover our national treasures. Visi- tors to Whiskeytown do not need to display a parking pass on their vehicles during this period. This year’s National Park Week focuses on Healthy Parks, Healthy People, and highlights the connec- tion between human and environ- mental health, and the vital role America’s national parks play in both. "Meeting the Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge fits very nice- ly with this theme by encouraging everyone, especially children, to enjoy a physical outdoor activity in a healthy environment by visiting all four spectacular waterfalls in Whiskeytown," said Superinten- dent Jim Milestone. "We hope to have 1,000 children hike to the park’s waterfalls this spring and enjoy the magnificence of their cascading waters." event. Interpretive rangers will be available at Whiskeytown Falls on both weekends during Waterfall Week to provide art supplies for children and their families so they can create a personal and artistic expression of the falls. Scheduled hikes to Whiskey- town Falls and other areas will also be offered starting Waterfall Week and continuing through the spring season. Space is limited and reser- vations for these hikes are required. Call the Visitor Center at 246-1225 between 10 a.m. and 4p.m. daily to reserve a spot for these special hikes. Hands Across California campaign Sunday Californians across the state will join hands to demonstrate their support for the nation’s largest high- er education systemm, community colleges, April 17. In Redding, people will come together at the downtown mall area at Shasta College’s Health Sci- ences and University Center, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. North state residents are encouraged to show their support for higher education and for the students at Shasta College by attending and participating in this The Department of Fish and Game must keep a portion of the Tehama Wildlife Area closed this summer for public safety reasons. However, Hogsback Road will remain open during construction. Normally the area is opened on the last Friday in March, but recent heavy rains have made the Antelope Creek crossing unsafe. This closure will last through the summer while construction work on a new bridge is completed on Ishi Road, the main access route for the wildlife area. Funds provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will allow DFG to replace an existing Upon arrival deputies were advised Farmer and victim had been in an argument which escalated into Farmer hitting the vic- tim in the face causing the victim to receive seven stitches. • Rickie Lee McLane was sentenced to two years in state prison for possession of a controlled substance. McLane was originally granted formal probation. He violated his probation when he failed to keep in contact with probation and failed to obey all laws. Recent County Jail Commitments: • Frederick Joseph Cardiel was sentenced to Through the Hands Across California campaign, Shasta College will create a permanent scholarship endowment for its students, including those who take classes at the Tehama Campus. To make a donation to Hands Across California, or for more information on this event, go through the college’s website, www.shastacollege.edu/hand- sacrossca, or contact Sherry Nicholas at 242-7621. Access to Tehama Wildlife Area to be limited steel mesh stream crossing on Antelope Creek with a 90-foot free span bridge. The existing crossing is a bar- rier to fish migration. The prima- ry purpose of this project is to remove this barrier, improve the passage of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout into the upper Antelope Creek watershed and provide a safe and reliable stream crossing for the public. Completion of the new bridge is expected by early September. Until then, the high volume of construction traffic that will be in this remote area necessitates the closure to provide the public with COURT ROUND-UP 180 days in Tehama Coun- ty Jail for false person- ation. An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Cardiel. Upon being contacted by the deputy, Cardiel was unable to provide the offi- cer with proper identifica- tion and proceeded to give the officer a false name and date of birth. • Patrick Farrell Norton was sentenced to 120 days in Tehama County Jail for second degree commercial burglary. Norton entered a local grocery store, grabbed a bottle of alcohol from the shelf and proceeded to exit the store without paying. Upcoming Court Dates -Trials, Prelimi- nary Hearings(PX) & Pre Trial Conferences(PTC): • Joseph Patrick Flehar- ty will appear in court for a confirmation of violation of parole hearing at 1:30 p.m. on April 25 in Department 1. He is facing the charge of driving while having a 0.08 percent or higher blood alcohol caus- ing injury, special Allega- tion-great bodily injury- elderly victim. Fleharty was original- ly granted formal proba- tion. He violated his pro- bation when he failed to complete a court ordered program. Fleharty then absconded and was later located in another state and brought back to Tehama County. • Michael Bruce Pryor Jr., will appear in court for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. on April 25 in Department 1. He is facing the charges of cultivating marijuana; pos- session of marijuana for sale. Agents served search warrants at the properties and businesses operated by Pryor. Agents found 191 growing marijuana plants. Inside the business- es agents also found sever- al recommendations which were all fraudulent and one of which was stolen. safe passage in and out of the area. During construction, the por- tion of TWA south of Antelope Creek will be closed to the public. Starting May 2, there will be no vehicle access on Ishi Rd. and Hogsback Rd. Gates located at Grecian Bend, off Hogsback Road, Cottonwood Jeep Trail, Pelegran Jeep Trail and Grapevine Jeep Trail will remain closed until construction of the bridge is complete. The McClure Trail will be closed at the TWA boundary. Notices will be posted at all public access points. Easter Week Services Let your parishioners know your Easter weekend service schedule, and invite others to join your congregation for Worship. Information boxes will be published together on a full color page, with copy you provide. Artwork available. Publishes: Wednesday, April 20 Deadline: Friday, April 15 at 5pm To place an ad please call Suzy Noble at (530) 527-2151 ext 103