Don't Get Scammed
COURTESY OF BUFFALO UNIVERSITY
The beginning of the year is a lucrative time for tax preparation. The offer of instant money sounds like a great deal but many people are not aware of the expensive fees attached.
"This is my time of year,” Janice Allen said as she was exiting the Instant Tax Service in District Heights, Md recently.
“I look forward to and need my return and that’s why I don’t appreciate so call professional’s stealing what’s owed to me.” Allen and several other filers are missing hundreds of dollars from their return, which Instant Tax Service prepared.
Although the corporate office refused to comment, employee Mike Becraff told a crowd of about 30, "The IRS database crashed, over 200 million people lost their information, they lost their money and we are trying to resolve the problem.” Even if Becraff’s explanation holds true, Allen will remain an unsatisfied customer.
“They charge all these fees for e-filing and loans and still take extra money out, he’s lying and something isn’t right,” Allen said.
Filers who expect large refunds are eager to hand their information over to what appears to be a legitimate business, only to end up spending $200 to $500 in fees.
“Don’t be taken for a ride,” said Harold Leaderman a Certified Public Account.
Leaderman who has over 12 years experience said, “I want people to be smart with their money. If you waited 12 months for a refund you can wait two more weeks for a return, never pay for so call refund loans.”
Businesses such as Instant Tax Service market themselves to residents who anticipate a nice size return, but there are many alternatives to using these high fee services.
Turbo Tax software offers free e-filing with live customer service for standard 1099 forms. Additionally, some local non-profits provide free tax preparation.
The Martin Luther King Jr. DC Public Library offers free tax help for federal, District, Maryland and Virginia income tax returns.
Library volunteer Ester Walker said, “We encourage residents to come in and take advantage of our services. There is absolutely no need to pay excessive fees when we have people here to help."
Leaderman adds that filers should always check the IRS website before they do anything tax related.
Working Hard Or Hardly Working
COURTESY OF D.C. GOVERNMENT
With four months left in the school year, teens in Washington D.C. are gearing up for the city’s summer youth employment program. However, the program has come under a considerable amount of scrutiny, splitting those who support or oppose its focus.
For some, like student Latika Holmes and her mother Alice, the program is no more than glorified busy work.
“If I ever want to be a therapist, I need to know how to communicate with people I guess,” says Latika, a sophomore at Eastern Senior High School. “I don’t know how picking up trash on Benning Road is going to help me do that exactly.”
Started in 1979 by former District Mayor Marion Barry, the program is intended to provide youth with valuable work experience. “The jobs assigned are not even in [the children’s] career field most of the time,” said Alice Holmes. “At least let them get their hands dirty in the field they want to be in.”
However, not all agree. “Complete hogwash” said Khadija Baldwin, the mother of another teen enrolling into the summer youth employment program. “My son is 17 and has decided to be doctor. That does not mean that he should be given a job in a physician’s office.”
Holmes and Baldwin are childhood friends, and old college roommates. Though they don’t see eye to eye on this issue, they share a mutual agreement that preparing teenagers to be a part of America’s workforce is essential.
Baldwin believes that children at this age are not yet committed to a career path, and need to be exposed to as many different opportunities as possible. However, Holmes says that approach is a waste of time and resources. “I don’t get it. It seems to me that you would place a round peg, in a round hole.”
Meanwhile “Calvin Moss,” a DC youth program worker, who did not want to use his real name, agrees that many kids are placed into positions that they generally have no interest in. Moss has worked in program for three years, and has seen its highs and lows first hand.
“Some get lucky enough to shadow the mayor if they have an interest in public policy,” Moss says, adding “but for the most part kids are placed wherever there is space available.”
Simply Stunning
MARTHA BRITTON AT WORK
Creativity never sleeps as proven by one DC resident’s entrepreneurial sprit. Chicago native, Martha Britton has taken on a passion for design, attracting a stream of loyal customers.
Britton is the creator and owner of Simply Stunning Creative Services. Products range from producing high-end wedding innovations, layout designs for government and corporate publications, her highly anticipated seasonal Christmas and Celebrating Black History Month cards that are always top sellers.
“I enjoy the personal aspect of designing so to me, the message should be meaningful,” Britton said.
Since 1999, her ingenuity has lead to building a successful brand along with establishing a creative resume. Simply Stunning derived from a request by Britton’s sister who was getting married and wanted her to make the wedding invitations.
“The invitations were an elaborate piece of work, made with the finest quality paper, hand cut with satin ribbon and everyone loved them,” Britton explains. Since her sister worked in advertising, Britton’s designs caught the eye of reputable executives who requested to see more of her work. The attention encouraged her to design more and create new products.
In Britton’s NW home there is abundant evidence that she takes pride in delivering unique messages in conjunction with quality work. Her work space is filled with opulent Japanese paper and imported fabrics.
“I will never compromise the quality of my work and over time, through experience I have figured out ways to deliver nice pieces at an affordable price” Britton said.
Her longtime friend Jackie Barnes who is also the Director of Sales and Marketing for the company said, “People look forward to Martha’s products because she dedicates herself to every job. Her creativity always shines through; I am continuously amazed at her work ethic.”
For the past 13 years, innovation has been the key ingredient to Simply Stunning success. While Britton has always maintained a full time job in addition to designing, she is often asked if she would sell her company to a global distributer.
“I don’t know if I will sell, but in the next few years I look forward to retiring to Simply Stunning on a fulltime base’s. If the numbers are right anything is possible,” Britton adds.
For more information please email simplystunningscards@comcast.net
The Untold Story
Like any other human being, the University of the District of Columbia’s star basketball player Nigel Munson has had his ups and downs, on and off the court.
Working Hard Or Hardly Working
With four months left in the school year, teens in Washington D.C. are gearing up for the city’s summer youth employment program.
Rapper Turns Author
Growing up in the Washington D.C. area, Wendell Juggins, who is mainly known as “REAL LIVE” in his work, and in the streets, he grew accustomed to “gangster” life.
Balling On a Budget
It all begins with the presentation of a nice ring followed by a proposal of love. What comes next can either be a wonderful experience or a stressful occurrence. Depending upon the future brides budget, for those couples with limited funds, planning a wedding can be a tedious task.
