Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Lease2OwnHomes Renter Rip-Off : Brown Obtains Restitution

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a $150,000 settlement for aspiring homeowners who had their entire down payments unlawfully seized by Lease2OwnHomes for missing rent on a lease-to-own agreement. Lease2OwnHomes Renter Rip-Off : Brown Obtains Restitution

Saturday, July 19, 2008

It's Not Too Late to Claim Your Economic Stimulus Payment: IRS Will Issue Checks Through End of Year

The last of the economic stimulus checks have been issued under the planned payment schedule, which was a timetable for tax returns that were filed and processed before April 15.
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Can You Take a Home Office Deduction?

If you plan to run your small business out of your home you may be temped to "write-off" many of your household expenses. But how do you know what is deductible and what is not? The IRS has some advice that may help answer the question: "Can I take a Home Office Deduction?"
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IRS: Mortgage Workouts, Tax-Free for Many Homeowners

There is now tax relief for struggling homeowners. If your mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during 2007, 2008 or 2009 you may be able to claim special tax relief by filling out Form 982 and attaching it to your federal income tax return for that year.


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Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore; Summer Is Peak Tornado Season in the Northeast

While summer is a time for boating, baseball, backyard barbecues and sun-bathing, it is also the peak season for tornadoes in the Northeast. This year has already been one of the deadliest in a decade and may be on track to set a record for the number of twisters in the U.S.
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FDA Launches Fellowship Program to Develop Pipeline of Scientists, Other Professionals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced it is launching a two-year fellowship program aimed at attracting scientists, engineers and health professionals to the agency. The FDA Commissioner’s Fellowship Program will provide participants with advanced training in the scientific analysis involved in the safety and regulatory decisions unique to the agency’s mission.
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Can You Take a Home Office Deduction?

If you plan to run your small business out of your home you may be temped to "write-off" many of your household expenses. But how do you know what is deductible and what is not? The IRS has some advice that may help answer the question: "Can I take a Home Office Deduction? Can You Take a Home Office Deduction?

Parents Can Get Credit for Sending Kids to Day Camp

Here's a tax break for the busy summer. Many working parents must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation period. A popular solution - with a tax benefit - is a day camp program. Parents Can Get Credit for Sending Kids to Day Camp

It's Not Too Late to Claim Your Economic Stimulus Payment: IRS Will Issue Checks Through End of Year

The last of the economic stimulus checks have been issued under the planned payment schedule, which was a timetable for tax returns that were filed and processed before April 15. It's Not Too Late to Claim Your Economic Stimulus Payment: IRS Will Issue Checks Through End of Year

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Four-Day Federal Hiring Event in Four Kentucky Cities

U.S. Border Patrol Minority Recruitment Strike Team agents will conduct an intensive four-day recruiting event throughout Kentucky from Wednesday, July 16, to Saturday, July 20, in the cities of Hopkinsville, Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro. Four-Day Federal Hiring Event in Four Kentucky Cities

OTS Closes IndyMac Bank and Transfers Operations to FDIC

The Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) today closed the $32 billion IndyMac Bank, headquartered in Pasadena, California, and transferred operations to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). OTS Closes IndyMac Bank and Transfers Operations to FDIC

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Saudi Arabia Travel Warning Issued to American Citizens

This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation in Saudi Arabia and reminds U.S. citizens of recommended security precautions. Saudi Arabia Travel Warning Issued to American Citizens

Most Stolen Vehicle in 2007: National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NICB) Releases Report

Hot Wheels 2008, the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) companion study to its annual Hot Spots auto theft report examines data reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model, and model year most reported stolen in 2007. Most Stolen Vehicle in 2008: National Insurance Crime Bureau's (NICB) Releases Report

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Identity Theft: Red Flag Regulations Require Financial Institutions and Creditors to Have Identity Theft Prevention Programs

Financial institutions and creditors are now required to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs under the new "Red Flags Rules." Identity Theft: Red Flag regulations Require Financial Institutions and Creditors to Have Identity Theft Prevention Programs

Troubled Teens Boot Camp: FTC Urges Caution When Considering Boot Camps

When parents or guardians are considering finding a residential treatment program for a troubled teenager, the decision is often a difficult one. Troubled Teens Boot Camp: FTC Urges Caution When Considering Boot Camps

Monday, July 07, 2008

Student Loans: Avoiding Deceptive Offers

The U.S. Department of Education and Federal Trade Commission have jointly released a consumer guide to help students and their families navigate the maze of offers they may face when seeking new student loans or consolidating existing student loans to pay for higher education. Student Loans: Avoiding Deceptive Offers provides advice to help consumers detect deceptive marketing offers from private companies seeking their student loan business. Student Loans: Avoiding Deceptive Offers

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Working at home in 2007


Multiple jobholders were much more likely to work at home than were single jobholders—31 versus 18 percent.

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What You Need to Know About Cholesterol

Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the U.S. Each year more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries.
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84,000 Fireworks recalled by Fireworks Over America

84,000 Fireworks recalled by Fireworks Over America
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Drug Testing: New DOT Rule Makes Cheating on Drug Testing Harder

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced today a new rule that will make it more difficult for transportation workers to cheat on their required drug tests by requiring drug testing labs to analyze every test for tampering
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