We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post Mood Music: The Musalini & 9th Wonder – Sincerely first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s that time of year when throngs of taxpayers are buckling down to file their income tax returns before Tuesday’s filing deadline. Many often pay to use software from private companies such as Intuit and H&R Block.
Almost one-quarter of Americans wait until the last minute to file their taxes.
There could be a new, free option in future years. The IRS has been tasked with looking into how to create a government-operated electronic free-file tax return system for all. But that doesn’t sit well with the big tax-prep companies.
The idea has been batted around and hotly debated for a long time. Congress now has directed the IRS to report in on how such a system might work.
The order came as part of the $80 billion infusion of money for the tax agency over the next 10 years under the Democrats’ flagship climate and health care measure, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, that President Joe Biden signed last summer. It gave the IRS nine months and $15 million to report in on how it might implement such a program and how much it would cost.
Next month, the IRS will release the first in a series of reports looking into how it might be done.
The possibility of an electronic free-file system operated by Washington is being celebrated by some taxpayer advocates who for years have said that would reflect good governance and well serve taxpayers. Critics voice skepticism about the IRS taking on the dual roles of both tax collector and tax preparer, arguing that the new service could create a power imbalance between taxpayers and the government.
Robert Marvin, an IRS spokesperson, said in an email that a key goal of the study is to “look for ways to make filing taxes as easy as possible.”
“It’s important that Americans have choices that work best for them when preparing their taxes, whether it’s by using a tax professional, tax software or free options,” he said.
But big tax preparation companies have millions of dollars to lose if the program comes to fruition. Last year, more than 60 million taxpayers were serviced between Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax, and H&R Block.
Tens of millions of dollars have been spent trying to influence policymakers on the issue, and lobbying data shows that the big tax companies in particular have spent heavily.
An analysis shows that Intuit, H&R Block, and other private companies and advocacy groups for large tax preparation businesses, as well as proponents in favor of electronic free file, have reported spending $39.3 million since 2006 to lobby on “free-file” and other matters. Federal law doesn’t require domestic lobbyists to itemize expenses by specific issue, so the sums are not limited to free-file.
Intuit has spent $25.6 million since 2006 on lobbying, H&R Block about $9.6 million and the conservative Americans for Tax Reform roughly $3 million.
Derrick Plummer, a spokesman for Intuit, said taxpayers can already file their taxes for free and there are online free-file programs available to some people. Individuals of all income levels can submit their returns for free via the mail.
A “direct-to-IRS e-file system is a solution in search of a problem, and that solution will unnecessarily cost taxpayers billions of dollars,” he said. “We will continue unapologetically advocating for American taxpayers and against a direct-to-IRS e-file system because it’s a bad idea.”
Starting in 2006, an agreement between the IRS and some commercial tax preparation companies, known as the Free File Alliance, prevented the IRS from creating its own free tax return filing system. In exchange, tax preparation companies agreed to provide free services to taxpayers making $73,000 or less.
The provision that barred the IRS from exploring a free-file system expired in 2019, but the Free File Alliance agreement to provide free services for low-income taxpayers remains in effect.
Ariel Jurow-Kleiman, a tax law professor at Loyola Law School, and the New America think tank have been selected by the IRS to conduct the congressionally mandated study for the agency. Jurow-Kleiman said their mandate is “evaluating the feasibility, approach, schedule, cost, organizational design, and IRS capacity to deliver a possible direct e-file system.”
But she has faced pushback from Republicans who say she does not fit the law’s requirement that an independent third party assess what it would take to deliver a direct file program.
Rep. Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to the IRS in March questioning Jurow-Kleiman’s ability to be an independent reviewer, saying her work indicates “a clear preference for an expansive government-run system.”
Smith, R-Mo., said the selection of Jurow-Kleiman and New America shows that “the Administration has already predetermined that a government-directed e-file system should exist regardless of what might be found in a truly nonpartisan, independent, third-party review.”
Jurow-Kleiman said the GOP pushback to her selection was based on an unpublished draft of an article about tax compliance costs and that none of her writings have “addressed the questions that we are assessing in the feasibility study.”
Molly Martin, director of strategy at New America, referred requests for comment to the IRS, saying the organization “is still working on its report.”
David Williams, at the right-leaning, nonprofit Taxpayers Protection Alliance, says the “government preparing taxes is problematic.”
“The taxpayer is looking for the biggest refund possible, but for the IRS that’s not their job to look for the biggest refund for filers,” he said. “We’re concerned about that conflict of interest, but also really the ability of the IRS to do this.”
To Gabriel Zucker, who helped create the tool to help families access the Advance Child Tax Credit during the pandemic, successfully setting up a free-file program is possible. “It is a really great way for government to better serve people,” said Zucker, associate policy director for tax benefits at Code for America.
__
Associated Press Chief Elections Analyst Chad Day contributed to this report
The post New push on US-run free electronic tax-filing system for all appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.
Join NYC Parks and the Fort Tryon Park Trust to celebrate and steward our piece of the earth, just Fort Tryon Park Trust! Artist Marta Blair will lead us in a community mural-making project. You can turn your recyclables into native seed planters with artist Jessica Maffia and learn about ways to protect our planet with…
The post Earth Day Celebration, Stewardship, Mural Making, And Movie Night Uptown! appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.
By Gregg McQueen
When Abibou Sawadogo opened her apartment door, all she saw was black.
Stirred on Sunday morning by a fire alarm, the Twin Parks North West resident unlocked the door to her 18th floor unit to gauge the situation.
“You couldn’t see anything, only black from the smoke,” said Sawadogo, who made a quick decision.
“I felt we had to run. I thought we’d be dead,” she remarked.
More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene to combat the January 9 blaze at, the Fire Department (FDNY) said, which broke out around 11 a.m. on Sunday at 333 East 181st Street, a 19-story building with 120 apartments.
The five-alarm fire left 17 people dead – including nine children – and dozens injured, one of the worst residential building fires in the city’s history.
Fire investigators have identified a malfunctioning portable space heater as the cause of the fire. A malfunctioning door to the apartment where the fire started failed to close properly, allowing smoke to travel throughout the building, the FDNY said.
Read more: Devastating Bronx fire kills 17, including 9 children | Bronx Free Press
Click below for a must-see piece on the fire courtesy of the indispensable Democracy Now.
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post Devastating Bronx fire kills 17, including 9 children | Bronx Free Press first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
The following are the names of the 17 casualties, listed from the youngest, a two-year-old to the oldest, age 50.
Among the victims was Sera Janneh, a sophomore majoring in psychology at Lehman College, In a statement, the College noted that several additional Lehman students list the Twin Parks tower as their address.
“We are working to confirm that they are safe. Our deepest condolences to the Janneh Family and all of those who have lost friends and loved ones in Sunday’s fire,” read the statement. “Our hearts are among those mourning in the Bronx today.”
The College has posted a resource page with information on student emergency grants, including other resources available to those affected by the fire and where to donate. It can be found at www.lehman.edu/twin-parks.
Source: Honoring The Victims | The Manhattan Times
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post Honoring The Victims | The Manhattan Times first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
Donald Trump lost the popular vote both times he ran for president, was impeached twice, incited an insurrection, sexually assaulted dozens of women, and is under investigation for tax fraud and election tampering.
Republicans: "Trump 2024!"
— Middle Age Riot (@middleageriot) January 14, 2022
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post The Tweet of the Week: #Facts first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura penned a heart-breaking piece in The NY Times on how last week’s fire in the Bronx devastated the tight knit Gambian community. 333 East 181st Street was a haven for the Gambian community since the early 70’s.
Read more: UC Must-Reads: At ‘Touray Tower,’ the Broken Heart of New York’s Gambian Community
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post UC Must-Reads: At ‘Touray Tower,’ the Broken Heart of New York’s Gambian Community first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post #TheGramUptown: Shine Your Light first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) is seeking submissions for “Women in the Heights: Up Close and Personal”. The 12th annual Women in the Heights exhibition, curated by Andrea Arroyo, will be held in-person, to inaugurate NoMAA’s new space in the historic United Palace.
In celebration of Women’s History Month (March), we invite artists to submit works that reflect on personal and collective experiences during these challenging times, while inspiring connectedness and hope.February 8, 2022 – Submission Deadline
Eligibility: Open to self-identified women artists working or residing in El Barrio, Inwood, Washington Heights or Harlem. Above 110th Street on the West Side (west of 5th Ave) and above 96th Street on the East Side (east of 5th Ave).
Artwork eligibility: Each artist can submit up to 3 works. Wall-hung works in all fine art media, dimensions limited to a minimum of 10” and maximum of 24” wide, and up to 4” deep (including frame).
Written/spoken word works (maximum 250 words) must be presented printed and framed as per framing guidelines.
For more info: Call For Submissions: Women in the Heights: Up Close and Personal
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly Uptown Love newsletter, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter & Instagram or e-mail us at UptownCollective@gmail.com.
The post Call For Submissions: Women in the Heights: Up Close and Personal first appeared on Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online | The Uptown Collective.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday urged Americans to take action during “a critical point in our nation’s history” as thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.
Saturday’s nationwide rallies were sparked by the U.S. Supreme Court’s actions the day before, when the high court intervened to delay rule changes that would have limited the way the abortion drug mifepristone could be used and dispensed. The limits were paused while the court reviews the case more thoroughly.
Harris made a surprise stop in Los Angeles at one of the rallies, where she called the latest upheaval over abortion rights a further incursion by conservatives into myriad “fundamental rights” many Americans thought they had.
“And so this is a moment that history will show required each of us — based on our collective love of our country — to stand up, and fight for, and protect our ideals. That’s what this moment is,” she said Saturday, speaking to several hundred demonstrators from the steps of City Hall. “When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America.”
Some of the protesters voiced their anger at the steps of the nation’s high court, which took Friday’s action at the request of the federal Justice Department. The agency asked the high court to lift restrictions on mifepristone imposed by an appellate court in Texas earlier in the week. The decision by the appellate court reduced the window of time when the drug could be used and prevented the drug from being dispensed by mail.
Critics of the Texas and appellate court decisions, including pharmaceutical companies, viewed the courts’ actions as a dangerous intrusion into the authority of the FDA, which regulates how medications are sold and used in the United States.
Demonstrators in New York City stood behind a sign with a four-letter expletive directed at Texas, where a federal judge set off the latest salvo in the battle over abortion. They held signs urging the government to defend medication abortions.
But the crowd was modest, attracting a little more than 100 people outside the picturesque public library along Fifth Avenue.
Still, the demonstrators attracted looks from passersby along the busy thoroughfare, some briefly joining the group to lend their voices.
“It can be hard to get people out, because people are being bombarded with all kinds of assaults on their bodies and people are tired and poor,” said Viva Ruiz, who said she helped organize the rally.
“The news cycle is so fast that when one thing happens something terrible happens the next day. So it’s hard to sustain the momentum or the energy for people to be on the streets,” Ruiz said.
With few exceptions, many of the rallies — organized under the banner of a group calling itself “Bigger than Roe” — were held in smaller cities.
Since last year’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized the right to an abortion, more than a dozen states have effectively outlawed abortion, while additional states have moved to further tighten abortion laws.
On Thursday, the GOP-dominated Florida Legislature moved to became the latest state to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
Restrictions on the delivery and use of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen to end a pregnancy, would be a further blow to abortion rights advocates. The other drug, misoprostol, can be used on its own, but doing so is less effective than using both drugs in combination.
When mifepristone was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications.
If the appeals court’s action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed.
States that support abortion rights, including California and New York, have begun stockpiling misoprostol to assure their states have adequate supplies. Washington state is among those stockpiling a supply of mifepristone or its generic form. And Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health buy additional quantities of mifepristone.
More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used mifepristone as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.
Calvan reported from New York.
The post Kamala Harris rallies as high court eyes abortion pill rules appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.