Tax Returns

HAGERSTOWN -- Former Virginia Gov. George F. Allen wove taxes, a GOP icon and a jab at the opposing party together Tuesday while addressing Washington County Republicans. On the deadline for Americans to file tax returns, Allen quoted Ronald Reagan: "Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats feel every day is April 15. " Allen made other references to Reagan and Abraham Lincoln in what doubled as a stump speech for U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

Tuesday is the filing deadline for state and federal income tax returns. The main branch of the Hagerstown Post Office at 44 W. Franklin St. will remain open until 8 p.m. for late filers, according to Brian Ryder, customer service supervisor. "There will be one letter carrier at curbside to accept forms until 8 p.m.," Ryder said. The post office in the North End of Hagerstown will close at its normal time of 5 p.m.

Tuesday is the final day to file federal and state tax returns. Many people who don't normally file federal tax returns must file this year in order to receive a payment as part of the economic stimulus package. State officials remind those who don't normally file federal returns, but are doing so for the stimulus package, do not need to file state returns. Also, seniors who do not normally file tax returns need to file this year because of the stimulus package. For information, go to www.irs.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- April 15 -- the final day to file state and federal tax returns -- is fast approaching. Many who don't normally file tax returns must file this year in order to receive a payment as part of the economic stimulus package, an IRS spokesman said. State officials reminded people that those who don't normally file federal returns but are doing so for the stimulus package do not need to file state returns. Plenty of help is available to those who still need to fill out their state returns, said Christine Duray, spokeswoman for the Maryland Comptroller's office.

The Hagerstown metropolitan area is Maryland's fastest growing, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, despite a slowdown prompted in part by the sputtering national economy. The Hagerstown-Martinsburg, W.Va., metro area, which includes Washington County in Maryland, as well as Morgan and Berkeley counties in West Virginia, grew 1.9 percent from July 2006 through July 2007. Washington County is larger than the others combined, with a population of 145,113 as of July 2007.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- People are moving to Washington County. And they're staying here. Washington County's internal migration, which compares the number of people who move here to the number of people who move away, was higher than any other jurisdiction in Maryland in 2007, according to Census estimates to be released today. About 1,000 more people moved to Washington County in 2007 from other parts of the state or country than moved out of the county, according to the data.

Federal Rebate Information for Taxpayers: Rebates through the Federal Stimulus Act will be mailed to taxpayers this spring. In order to receive the rebate, you must file a 2007 federal income tax return, even if you have not filed a return for years and/or your income is below the amount required to file a federal income tax return. In order to receive the rebate, a minimum of $3,000 must have been received in 2007 from one or more of the following sources - Social Security, wages, railroad retirement, certain Veterans' benefits.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Gloria Bastian had been a professional tax preparer and bookkeeper for about 30 years when she decided it was time to start volunteering. That was 12 years ago, and she found a perfect niche for her skills - as a volunteer tax preparer for the Washington County Commission on Aging. At the time, Bastian still ran her own business, Potomac Bookkeeping and Tax, which she started in 1986. She sold the company in 1998, even though she kept working for the new owner for several years.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Throughout the income tax season, 32 students from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa., and their teacher, Deborah Hocking, will be offering tax return services to those in need. Five students volunteered their time Saturday to assist low- to moderate-income individuals and families with their tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a nationwide nonprofit tax preparation program set up by the Internal Revenue Service.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. - Throughout the income tax season, 32 students from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa., and their teacher, Deborah Hocking, will be offering tax return services to those in need. Five students volunteered their time Saturday to assist low- to moderate-income individuals and families with their tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a nationwide nonprofit tax preparation program set up by the Internal Revenue Service.