News
MAC represented at 2011 SBDC’s All Hands Training
MAC was well represented at this week’s annual SBDC All Hands Training in Flagstaff, AZ. Our attending staff members attended training sessions and an awards ceremony. One of our SBDC Business Analysts, Bob Fick, received the Client Satisfaction Counselor 2011 award. Congratulations Bob!
MAC trainer José Tornero gives keynote speech at ACCION Financial Friends Fiesta
José Tornero, one of the amazing trainers here at MAC was invited to give the keynote speech at the ACCION Financial Friends Fiesta in Albequerque, New Mexico last Thursday. MAC also was recognized as the Community Development Institution Referral Partner of the Year for referring more clients to ACCION than any other partner. MAC even refers more clients to ACCION than all of the New Mexico bank partners combined! Not only does MAC refer more clients for loans, but a higher percentage of our clients are able to secure loans to fund their businesses. Congratulations to all of the MAC staff and thanks for your hard work!
Watch Executive Director, Debbie Chandler and Training Instructor, Jerone Davis
Alex Cooper, SBDC Analyst, honored by AZSBDC Network
Alex Cooper was honored with achieving “Highest Economic Impact” in the AZSBDC Network. Click the link below to read article
PR State Network Honors Top Performers
MAC’s Debbie Chandler on 790 KNST’s “Talk of Tucson” with Paul Birmingham
Check out new articles about MAC on AzBiz.com
AzBiz.com has just released two articles featuring The Microbusiness Advancement Center. Click on the links to check them out.
Small Business Guide for the 2009 Ride
Goverment Is a Small-Business Client
IRS News Releases & Announcements
April 18 Tax Deadline Approaching!
Check out the IRS updates below to find the latest information and resources!
FREE Shred Event – Secure Your ID Day
You are your best defense against identity theft
On Saturday, April 16, your BBB will host a FREE shredding event at WestGate City Center (Glendale & 95th Ave., Parking Lot 2, West of AMC Theater) as part of a national identity theft and fraud protection effort.
Between 9 and 11a.m., bring up to three boxes/bags of paper documents to be shredded on the spot by EZ Shredding Solutions. We will also be accepting used cell phones for recycling by The Wireless Alliance.
Your BBB will provide great tips and resources to help protect your identity. Call 602-264-2864 for more information.
AAAME Accepting Applications
The APS Academy for the Advancement of Small, Minority- or Women-Owned Enterprises, also known as AAAME, is now accepting applications for the 2011 class. AAAME is a nationally recognized two-year business mentoring program and is offered at no charge. It provides a combination of business skill training in a group setting and individualized advisor meetings. AAAME alumni and participants note that the program has helped them to reach and exceed their business goals. You can access more information about AAAME at www.pinnaclewest.com/AAAME.
Applications for AAAME Class 14 are due June 24, 2011. Interviews will be held in July with the new class beginning September. We invite you to review the information, forward to those who might be interested or contact Rena or Sandie if you would like to discuss further. Applications can be mailed or delivered to the AAAME office as noted on the application.
Rena Huber Sandie Jones
Director, APS/AAAME AAAME
602-250-4712 602.250.2257
IRS Updates & News Releases:
IRS Essentials – How to Find What You Need Before Tax Day
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238335,00.html
With the Monday, April 18th federal income tax deadline rapidly approaching the IRS wants remind taxpayers about the self-help tools that are available to make filing taxes easier. Taxpayers seeking last minute help can find a wide variety of useful products and information from the comfort of their home through the IRS website.
- IRS.gov is “open” 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- The 2011 Filing Season Tax Tips, available on www.IRS.gov, provide a wealth of information and links to help taxpayers meet the deadline.
- 1040 Central is the comprehensive source for individual income tax information.
- Interactive Tax Assistant is a tax law resource that guides taxpayers through a series of questions and provides responses on credits, deductions and general filing questions.
- YouTube Video – Last Minute Tax Tips
Can’t File on Time? Get an Extension until Oct. 17
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238425,00.html
Are you unable to complete and file your federal individual tax return by the April 18 deadline? If so, you can request an extension of time to file, which will automatically give you until Oct. 17, 2011, to submit your tax return to the Internal Revenue Service. An extension gives you an additional six months to file your tax return. But keep in mind that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. All outstanding balances are due on April 18, 2011.
April 18 Deadline Approaching; Check IRS Payment Options
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238426,00.html
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2010 tax returns that individual returns and payments are due next Monday, April 18, 2011. There are several payment options available to taxpayers who have a balance due. Payments can be made by electronic funds withdrawal, credit or debit card, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or check or money order. Detailed information on each of the first three payment types can be found on the IRS.gov Electronic Payment Options Home Page.
IRS Reminds Taxpayers to Use the IRS2Go App to Check Refunds
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238423,00.html
IRS YouTube Videos — IRS2Go: English | ASL
How to Check Your Refund on IRS2Go: English | ASL
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. The IRS2Go phone app gives people a convenient way of checking on their federal refund. It also gives people a quick way of obtaining easy-to-understand tax tips. Apple users can download the free IRS2Go application by visiting the Apple App Store. Android users can visit the Android Marketplace to download the free IRS2Go app. 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.
Don’t Fall Prey to the 2011 Dirty Dozen Tax Scams
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238262,00.html
Video: Dirty Dozen: English | Spanish | ASL
Hiding income in offshore accounts, identity theft, return preparer fraud, and filing false or misleading tax forms top the annual list of “dirty dozen” tax scams in 2011.
“The Dirty Dozen represents the worst of the worst tax scams,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “Don’t fall prey to these tax scams. They may look tempting, but these fraudulent deals end up hurting people who participate in them.”
The IRS works with the Justice Department to pursue and shut down perpetrators of these and other illegal scams. Promoters frequently end up facing heavy fines and imprisonment. Meanwhile, taxpayers who wittingly or unwittingly get involved with these schemes must repay all taxes due plus interest and penalties. See the full article for the Dirty Dozen for 2011.
IRS Announces Qualified Disaster Treatment for Japan
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238173,00.html
The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance that designates the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes. This guidance affects recipients of disaster relief payments as well as employer-sponsored private foundations. The guidance allows recipients of qualified disaster relief payments to exclude those payments from income on their tax returns. Also, the guidance allows employer-sponsored private foundations to assist employee victims in areas affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan without affecting their tax-exempt status. Today’s guidance does not affect individuals interested in contributing to victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The IRS reminds taxpayers that there are some simple steps they can take to ensure that their contributions go to charities eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. The IRS has posted more information on IRS.gov.
Prepared Remarks of IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman at the National Press Club
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238204,00.html
The IRS Commissioner delivered prepared remarks titled “On the Horizon: A Vision for the Future of Our Tax System.”
Winter 2011 Statistics of Income Bulletin Now Available
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=238252,00.html
The Internal Revenue Service today announced the availability of the winter 2011 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin, which features preliminary data on 140.5 million individual income tax returns filed for tax year 2009. The Statistics of Income (SOI) Division produces the SOI Bulletin on a quarterly basis. Articles included in the publication provide the most recent data available from various tax and information returns filed by U.S. taxpayers.
Tax Tips – Just in Time for April 18
Six Tips for Paying Estimated Taxes
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=237839,00.html
Estimated tax is a method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. You may need to pay estimated taxes during the year depending on what you do for a living and what type of income you receive. These six tips from the IRS will provide you with a quick look at estimated taxes and how to pay them.
Tips for Managing Your Tax Records
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=105111,00.html
After you file your taxes, you will have many records that may help document items on your tax return. You will need these documents should the IRS select your return for examination. Here are five tips from the IRS about keeping good records.
Eight Things to Know If You Receive an IRS Notice
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108531,00.html
Each year, the Internal Revenue Service sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers for a variety of reasons. Here are eight things to know about IRS notices – just in case one shows up in your mailbox.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service: Helping You Resolve Tax Problems
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=137675,00.html
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS. We help taxpayers whose problems with the IRS are causing financial difficulties; who have tried but have not been able to resolve their problems with the IRS; and those who believe an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should. The article lists ten things every taxpayer should know about TAS.
Ten Things You Should Know About Making Federal Tax Payments
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108544,00.html
Are you making a payment with your federal tax return this year? If so, here are 10 important things the IRS wants you to know about making tax payments correctly.
Ten Things to Know About Tax Refunds
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108680,00.html
Are you expecting a tax refund this year? Here are 10 things the IRS wants you to know about your refund.
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