Tax Tips From Farm Bureau Income Tax Service
Submitted by Linda Gobbell

 Identity theft seems to be a problem during tax filing season. Identity thieves get access to your personal information and file a fraudulent return and claim a refund. The legitimate taxpayer may be unaware that anything has happened until they file their return later in the season and two returns are discovered with the same Social Security number. Here are some tips IRS would like to share to help you avoid becoming the victim of an identity thief.
1. The IRS does not contact taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. The IRS does not send emails stating you are being electronically audited or that you are getting a refund.
2. If you receive a scam email claiming to be from IRS, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
3. Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including: stealing your wallet or purse, posing as someone who needs information about you through a phone call or email, looking through your trash for personal information, accessing information you provide to an unsecured Internet site.
4. If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but does not begin with www.irs.gov, forward that link to IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
5. Your identity may have been stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know. If you receive such a letter, respond immediately to the name, address or phone number on the IRS notice.
6. Do not routinely carry your Social Security card or other documents that display your Social Security number.
7. If you are filing your own return electronically, make sure to use a strong password to protect the data file. Once your return has been e-filed, burn the file to a CD or flash drive and remove the personal information from your hard drive.
  Linda gobble would like to add that you be very careful in locating a  tax preparer and be sure to find someone you can trust. File your return as soon as yo get your necessary documents. If you should get a notice from IRS, contact your preparer ro the IRS immediately, do not ignore the notice. Penalties and interest on unpaid tax can add up quickly when compounded daily. The errors are not always on your end, IRS makes mistakes too.

The 33rd Annual Production of Hee Haw & Howdy Is On The Way
 
 
     The Hardeman County Chapter of the American Cancer Society will present this years show beginning on April 2-7 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday at 7 pm and on Saturday at 3 pm Matinee and an evening show at 7 pm.
     Tickets will go on sale March 5th at the Chamber of Commerce at 9 am. On behalf of the AMC as Chairman of Hee Haw production, I would like to thank each of you who have helped to make this show, the success it has become. In whatever capacity you have served, whether behind the scenes, the purchase of tickets, a sponsor, or a part of the staff, it takes all of us working together to have this quality show. As all of you are aware, our goal at the A.C.S. is to help with fund raising, to find a cure for this much dreaded Disease. To make you aware that early detection is the key to an early cure in many cases.
     We want to say a big thank you to Loretta Doles for the "32 Years of Hee Haw" articles that she has been presenting every week in the Bulletin Times. She has done her very best to give everyone who has had a part in each years production, the recognition deserved and she has done just that. For this we say thank you so much. Her enthusiasm and her complimentary comments mean more than she will ever know. Everything was in such a professional manner. Each article would take hours of researching, programs, pictures, scripts & videos to make the article as complete and accurate as it could be
     It was fun to read again the funny scenes, and be reminded of the songs & music. I laughed again as I did at the time it was presented. It seems like only yesterday we began this 33 year journey and a very good journey it has been. May it continue for 33 years more.
     Thanks to all of you who have made these many years so special for so many. I love and appreciate each one of you.
God Bless you all,
Bertha S. Vaughan
Chairman A.C.S

Where Does the Money Go?
 Recently Madison county officials were reprimanded by the State of Tennessee for using money from the local tax fund to be used for other purposes than what it was intended for. In Hardeman County, Mayor Willie Spencer said he had to cut back the hours of the county’s convenience centers to save $100,000 dollars. But then the county goes and borrows $800,000 from the landfill to pay for salaries and for other purposes.
 State statute says if money is appropriated for a certain project it can only be used for that project or purpose, and since you send a bill to all county residents charging them 40 or more x amount of dollars then that money can only be used for that purpose and for every bill you send through the mail that would be one count of federal mail fraud. As a taxpayer this really makes me wonder if my money is being spent wisely and for what purpose it was intended.
Michael Vales
Henderson

Upper Layers To Fat
 I hope everyone read my previous article about the Walnut plant move. Well, the move is set to start in the next few weeks.
 For the 28 people who came from Middleton to Walnut in 1980, we had many good times as well as few bad, such as when we split from Dover Corporation. We had four years without a pay raise, that was rough, but made it through it all and still consider this a great place to work.
 With that said, those of us at the lower end of the spectrum are suffering the injustice of seniority loss, while at the same time being inundated with constant news of new directors and this and vice-presidents of that. I believe an obvious indicator of a company on the wrong track is when the upper layers become too “fat”, while those at the bottom are being trodden down.
 What worries me most is that this economy might not improve (at least not quickly enough), and the company will have another layoff. Those of us with decades of experience will probably be the first to go. How fair is that?
 I am sorry to say that, within the next few weeks, about 179 years of knowledge is about to walk out the door. These people are retiring early to avoid the move and the insult of losing their seniority. If more of those left were closer to retirement, I’m sure that number would be much larger. I’m not saying the company won’t survive without them, but I am saying that all that knowledge and experience will be solely missed, at least by us. As long as the remaining workers do what has to be done to meet the schedule so the upper layers get their bonuses, who cares? Right?
 What is truly sad for Hardeman County is that this company is must about the only “game in town.” If it were to leave, the county would be hard pressed to survive. What our company provides for this community is a blessing, what it has done to 50 of its loyal employees is a curse.
Rosa Ross
Toone

Something About Sobriety Rocks Outreach
 First off I could tell you what amazing Christian people they really rare. Before I started volunteering with Sobriety Rocks Outreach I had no idea that they even existed. And to live in the community, that’s something I wish I would have known sooner. They do so much it’s unbelievable. It’s amazing how many people that they help a day.
 I’m so thankful to be part of Sobriety Rocks Outreach. I love everything they do, and also the many things they represent. They have so many different programs. To list a few, they have a literacy program, which means, they help people that need assistance getting their education, they have the G.E.D. pre-test, and if you don’t pass it they will assign you a personal tutor to help you in the areas you need help in. They also have Bible study every Sunday at 4:00 pm and a recovery program at 7:00 pm every Saturday night. So come out and join us. They do so many other thinks also. So I really hope that I have filled you in a little about how amazing Sobriety Rocks Outreach really is. So come out and see us at 202 Hope St., Bolivar, and I can guarantee that you will be greeted with a warm, and welcoming smile.
 And to all that has read what I had to say, thank you for letting me tell you how wonderful Sobriety Rocks Outreach truly is. Thank you and God bless.
Hillary Bryant
Bolivar