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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2012 - 2:05:03 PM

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

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.

Announcements
Government Free Credit Reports
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
Feb 6, 2012 - 11:42:56 AM

IRS Tax Tips
IRS Tax Refunds: IRS Recommends Direct Deposit for your Tax Refunds
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.
Feb 6, 2012 - 11:20:45 AM

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

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.

Census Bureau Announcements
Superbowl 2012, Statistics, Fun & Facts
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.
Jan 27, 2012 - 5:18:03 PM

Announcements
115 winners of 2012 Top Safety Pick - 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn top pick
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.
Dec 15, 2011 - 6:00:53 AM

Insurance Related Press Releases
Homeowners and Auto Insurance Deductibles
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.).
Dec 6, 2011 - 8:20:00 AM

Insurance Related Press Releases
Homeowner Policies May Cover Windstorm Damages

CDC Health Advisory Notices & Announcements
CDC Update: Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2010
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.
Nov 17, 2011 - 9:38:42 AM

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

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

DOL | Federal OSHA | Cal-OSHA Related Information
OSHA Publishes New Safety Materials for Laboratory Managers and Workers
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
Nov 8, 2011 - 11:09:41 AM

Announcements
Social Networking Website for Kids Collected Kids’ Personal Information
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.
Nov 8, 2011 - 11:01:24 AM

Announcements
Commit To Quit Smoking During the Great American Smokeout
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.
Nov 8, 2011 - 5:30:23 AM

IRS Tax Tips
Health Care Tax Credit: What Employers Need to Know about Claiming the Tax Credit
Many small employers that pay at least half of the premiums for employee health insurance coverage under a qualifying arrangement may be eligible for the small business health care tax credit. This credit can enable small businesses and small tax-exempt organizations to offer health insurance coverage for the first time.
Oct 14, 2011 - 6:51:28 PM

Announcements
U.S. Government Video Contest: Offers $1000.00 for Best Video
Uncle Sam is looking to spread the word about how people can use USA website —the official web portal of the U.S. government—to make their lives easier and find all the government benefits and services they need.
Oct 14, 2011 - 12:18:36 AM

Announcements
Spam Attack: FTC Settlement Bans Alleged Spammer from Sending Unsolicited Text Messages

An operator who allegedly sent millions of illegal spam text messages to consumers is banned from sending any unsolicited text messages, under a settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission entered by a federal court.

Credit Cards | Credit Reports | Credit Ratings
FDIC: Protecting Your Finances If a Disaster Strikes: Are You Prepared?
Are your most important possessions insured and your financial documents protected from ruin? And if you had only a few moments to evacuate your home and could not return for several days or even weeks, would you have access to cash, banking services and the personal identification you need to conduct your day-to-day financial life?
Sep 7, 2011 - 10:33:07 AM

IRS Tax Tips
Tax Return Preparer Test: IRS Releases Specifications for Registered Tax Return Preparer Test
The test is part of an ongoing effort by the IRS to enhance oversight of the tax preparation industry. Preparers who pass this test, a background check and tax compliance check as well as complete 15 hours of continuing education annually will have a new designation: Registered Tax Return Preparer.


Sep 6, 2011 - 9:55:58 PM

Announcements
Money Smart for Young Adults:FDIC Looking for Financial Educato
The FDIC is in the early phases of a research study to evaluate the  Money Smart for Young Adults  curriculum. This study will assess how the curriculum impacts participants' financial knowledge and behavior. We are looking for financial educators who plan to teach part or all of the curriculum sometime in the coming months and are willing to distribute a short assessment quiz to students before the start of the first class that uses Money Smart for Young Adults.
Sep 6, 2011 - 12:58:19 PM

Announcements
Payday Loan Refund Checks: FTC Returns Almost $2 Million to Payday Loan Applicants Who Were Tricked into Buying Prepaid Debit Cards

The Federal Trade Commission is mailing more than 110,000 refund checks to consumers defrauded by an online operation that tricked payday loan applicants into paying for an unrelated debit card. The FTC alleged that payday loan marketers Matthew Patterson, Mark Benning, Jason Strober, and Swish Marketing, Inc., worked with debit card marketers Jerry Klein, Joshua Finer, and VirtualWorks, LLC, to design the deceptive payday loan application form that triggered a charge of up to $54.95 for a prepaid debit card with a zero balance.

IRS Tax Tips
Tax Time Stress: IRS offers Tax Tips to Reduce Tax-Time Stress
You may not be thinking about your tax return right now, but summer is a great time to start planning for next year. Organized records not only make preparing your return easier, but may also remind you of relevant transactions, help you prepare a response if you receive an IRS notice, or substantiate items on your return if you are selected for an audit
Aug 29, 2011 - 9:39:54 AM

IRS Tax Tips
Recently Married? IRS Offers Seven Tax Tips for Taxpayers

With the summer wedding season in full swing, the Internal Revenue Service advises the soon-to-be married and the just married to review their changing tax status. If you recently got married or are planning a wedding, the last thing on your mind is taxes. However, there are some important steps you need to take to avoid stress at tax time. Here are seven tips for newlyweds.

Announcements
Hurricane Irene 2011: FEMA Get Prepared Video
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate encourages provides an update on hurricane Irene. The storm moved through Puerto Rico on August 21 and may threaten the Southeast U.S. coast over the next several days.
Aug 22, 2011 - 11:32:00 AM

Announcements
Bank Failure: Inland Bank & Trust, Oak Brook, Illinois, Assumes All of the Deposits of First Choice Bank, Geneva, Illinois
First Choice Bank, Geneva, Illinois, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation -Division of Banking, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Inland Bank & Trust, Oak Brook, Illinois, to assume all of the deposits of First Choice Bank.
Aug 19, 2011 - 4:38:57 PM

Announcements
Office Depot Recalls 34,000 Desk Chairs Due to Pinch Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of 34,000 chairs following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Aug 19, 2011 - 5:24:00 AM