U.S. Government News

Free Tax Help:New IRS Online Tool Helps Low- and Moderate-Income Taxpayers Find Locations for Help

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:19:25 PST

As part of a continuing effort to improve service to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today the availability of a new online tool to help people easily find a location for volunteer tax preparation assistance.

Government Free Credit Reports

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:42:56 PST

It's never too late, or too early, to get your financial house in order, and a great way to start is with a review of your credit reports. You are entitled to a free report from each of the three reporting agencies once a year. But don’t fall for offers of free reports that aren’t really free. There is onlyone authorized source to get your free reports under federal law

IRS Tax Refunds: IRS Recommends Direct Deposit for your Tax Refunds

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:20:45 PST

According to the IRS, Direct deposit is the fastest, safest way to receive your tax refund. When a taxpayer combines e-file and direct deposit, the IRS will likely issue your refund in as few as 10 days.

IRS: Five Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers with a Name Change

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:02:55 PST

If you changed your name after a recent marriage or divorce, the IRS reminds you to take the necessary steps to ensure the name on your tax return matches the name registered with the Social Security Administration. A mismatch between the name shown on your tax return and the SSA records can cause problems in the processing of your return and may even delay your refund.

USCIS: How to Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Interview

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:09:46 PST

The citizenship interview is an important step toward becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, but it can also be one of the most stressful ones. That’s because it involves a meeting with a federal agent, not to mention taking and passing an English language comprehension and a Civics test.

The best way to avoid stress is to be well prepared for the interview. Below you will learn how the interview is structured as well as tips and resources to help you prepare for this important meeting.

Superbowl 2012, Statistics, Fun & Facts

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:18:03 PST

Super Bowl XLVI will be played Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will be the first time the Super Bowl has been played in Indiana. Indianapolis is the northernmost city in the United States to host the Super Bowl since Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006.

IRS Reminds Parents of Ten Tax Benefits

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:51:27 PST

Your kids can be helpful at tax time. That doesn't mean they'll sort your tax receipts or refill your coffee, but those charming children may help you qualify for some valuable tax benefits. Here are 10 things the IRS wants parents to consider when filing their taxes this year.

Tangible Propert Tax:IRS and Treasury Department Publish Temporary Regulations on Treatment of Tangible Property

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:02:42 PST

The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department today published in the Federal Register temporary regulations that provide guidance to taxpayers on the treatment of amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property and regarding the accounting for, and dispositions of, property subject to depreciation.

IRS New Tax Tax Guide Helps People Save on Their 2011 Taxes

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:56:16 PST

Taxpayers can get the most out of various recovery tax benefits and get a jump on preparing their 2011 federal income tax returns by consulting a newly revised comprehensive tax guide now available on IRS.gov.

115 winners of 2012 Top Safety Pick - 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn top pick

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:00:53 PST

In all, 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn Top Safety Pick. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in Institute evaluations. The ratings, which cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes, help shoppers pick vehicles that offer the highest levels of crash protection.

New survey finds these types of violence affect the health of millions of adults

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:37:11 PST

On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States, according to findings released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Homeowners and Auto Insurance Deductibles

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:20:00 PST

Understanding how auto and homeowners insurance deductibles work is crucial to getting the most out of your insurance dollars, according to the (I.I.I.).

Homeowner Policies May Cover Windstorm Damages

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:54:07 PST

Responding to Current California Windstorms, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones Urges Residents to Be Aware of What Their Insurance Policy Covers Offers Insurance Information on Fallen Trees, Damaged Cars and other Debris.

CDC Update: Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2010

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:38:42 PST

This document summarizes 2010 national data on gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis that are published in CDC’s report, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2010. The data are based on state and local STD case reports from a variety of private and public sources, the majority of which come from non-STD clinic settings, such as private physician offices and health maintenance organizations.

Misuse of the muscle relaxant drug soma (carisoprodol) have doubled over five years

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:32:42 PST

Hospital emergency department visits involving the misuse of the muscle relaxant drug carisoprodol have doubled over five years, study shows

OSHA Publishes New Safety Materials for Laboratory Managers and Workers

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:09:41 PST

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published new educational materials for laboratory managers on protecting their workers from exposure to chemical, biological, and physical hazards

Social Networking Website for Kids Collected Kids’ Personal Information

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:01:24 PST

A website that advertises itself as the "Facebook and Myspace for Kids," has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he collected personally information from approximately 5,600 children without obtaining prior parental consent, in violation of the Commission’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") Rule.

Commit To Quit Smoking During the Great American Smokeout

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:30:23 PST

It’s not easy to quit smoking, but the Great American Smokeout on November 17th can help you make the commitment to kick the habit for good.

IRS Announces Pension Plan Limitations for 2012

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:39:25 PST

The Internal Revenue Service today announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for Tax Year 2012.

Hilton Reservations Worldwide employees to receive more than $715,000 in minimum, overtime back wages

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:11:28 PST

Hilton Reservations Worldwide LLC, doing business as Hilton Reservations and Customer Care in Carrollton, has agreed to pay $715,507 in minimum and overtime back wages to 2,645 current and former customer service employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division that found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.