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They Did What? MN Legislature's Actions You Like ... or Dislike

What's your take on Minnesota's higher cigarette and income taxes, same-sex marriage law, all-day kindergarten funding, gun control measures, minimum wage and more?

What do you like—or dislike—in what the Minnesota Legislature did or didn't do? Leave a comment below. The Star Tribune posted a handy list of issues the Minnesota Legislature did and didn't tackle in the session that ended Monday at midnight. Love 'em? Hate 'em? Leave a comment below. DID: DIDN'T DO: See the full post at startribune.com. Which actions the Minnesota Legislature took do you support or oppose? Leave a comment below.

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When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?

The IRS has announced a delayed start to the 2012 tax filing season. Here's the date of when you can file, plus some locations in Golden Valley to get help on your taxes.

You'll have to wait if you are used to filing your annual tax return at the earliest possible date. The Internal Revenue Service has revised its opening date for tax season -- pushing it eight days to January 30, 2013. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15, 2013. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on January 30, 2013. Most taxpayers should be able to file on that date,  though some revised forms may not be immediately available. You can blame the delay on the federal "fiscal cliff" crisis and the new tax bill Congress passed just after Dec. 31. You can find more information in this Forbes article. Also, you can check out irs.gov. Electronic filing season was originally set to start on Jan. 22 this year. As a result of the delay…

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Do You Need Help With Your Taxes?

Golden Valley will hold an event to help those with uncomplicated income taxes.

**Information provided by the City of Golden Valley. Help with filling out income tax forms is offered free on a first-come, first-served basis to people with uncomplicated income taxes. Please bring all information needed including your labeled tax forms, property tax information and direct deposit information (if applicable). Tax forms are filed electronically. Service provided by volunteers from AARP programs. The volunteers attend training but are not professional tax accountants. Golden Valley Library, 830 Winnetka Ave N 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11 Registration taken at the door the day of the service starting at 10:00 a.m.

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What Issues Should the Minnesota Legislature Focus on in 2013?

With so many challenges on the table, Patch wants to know what issues you think are most important.

  With another legislative session just around the corner, senators and representatives have no shortage of challenges ahead of them. Lawmakers plan to convene hearings on gun control in the wake of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. They’ll review a recommendation from a governor-appointed task force to increase gas taxes and tab fees in response to a projected $50 billion shortfall in transportation funding. The DFL majority and defeat of the marriage amendment in the 2012 election could even prompt the Legislature to take up the issue of gay marriage. And looming over everything is a projected $1.1 billion deficit that legislators will have to close before adjourning for the year. With so many issues on the …

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yomammy

7:25 am on Monday, March 18, 2013

I am ALMOST for it...jsut get rid of the duplicate friggin systems we have!!!! we dont need a dozen agencies doing the SAME thing!!! too much overhead!!! ---that and ANY .gov program is doomed to massive overruns and mismanagement.   more ›

Twin Cities Reaction: Who Won the Presidential Debate?

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney duked it out in Denver, CO.

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney duked it out tonight in their first presidential debate in Denver, Colorado. Patch live-blogged the debate, which featured the candidates touching on domestic issues like health care, PBS funding, and America's energy sources. You can watch the entire debate on YouTube Politics. Some of the points that resonated with our live-blog panelists were split on who came out on top: Here's a sampling of responses on Twitter:

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rob_h78

11:30 am on Monday, October 8, 2012

A couple of points. 1) Almost every incumbent President has lost the first debate since they have been televised, the only exception was Bill Clinton. 2) I remember in 2008 watching folks talk about how Obama lost debates to Hillary Clinton and how he lost debates to John McCain and yet he was the guy who took the oath of office at the end. I don't know if he will be re-elected, but, so far there…   more ›

Mailing Tax Forms, a Thing of the Past?

A majority of Americans now e-file their taxes, but not everyone likes the switch.

Tax time used to involve a pencil and a pile of paperwork, now the main tool needed is a computer. According to the IRS, 77 percent of Americans filed their taxes online last year, a number the government expects to climb this year. While many applaud the ease of filing electronically, senior Henry Cook isn’t one of them. “I like the old way,” he stated quite simply. “It’s harder for me to understand all the math and all of the new rules when it’s on a computer.” Cook, who has taken his taxes to the same tax preparer for 25 years, had to join the online tax revolution a few years ago. “My tax guy said he had to file them online, so I finally gave in,” Cook said. The retired Golden Valley resident says he is learning to deal with the …

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Your Property Taxes Will Rise in 2012—But By How Much?

City officials trying to lessen impact of changes that came out of the government shutdown negotiations.

Golden Valley homeowners will see their taxes increase in 2012, but city officials say they are doing their best to minimize the effects of the new state rule that would have them paying even more. In July, the state eliminated the market value homestead credit in an effort to balance its $5 million budget deficit. Now, property owners will receive an exclusion off the property’s market value, decreasing the city’s tax capacity and increasing the tax rate. “It will shift the tax burden of Golden Valley to all property owners,” said Sue Virnig, finance director. The council members discussed the changes at Tuesday's City Council meeting. At the previous City Council meeting, members directed staff to reduce the general fund levy to its …

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VIDEO: No Right to 'Opt Out' of Taxes, Latz Says

Golden Valley's state senator argues one person's sugar is another's medicine.

Monday at the State Capitol, Sen. Ron Latz (DFL) of Golden Valley challenged Republican assertions that individual taxpayers have the right dictate specific directions for their tax dollars.

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Need Help Filing Your Taxes in Golden Valley? Just Ask.

Local volunteers find giving help can be just as rewarding as getting it.

These days, it's hard to file taxes and get the best bang for your buck without paying at least $100 to tax preparation services.  For those who want to file but can't fork over money for software or for the tax prep business around the corner, there is help. Henry Willarelle, who worked with Tennant companies for 30 years and made his first trip for tax assistance earlier this month. “My brother recommended I try this," he says.  "It saves time and money, so that’s a big help.” Willarelle plans to return next year. AARP Tax Aide Assistance, an AARP Foundation program, is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60-years-old and older.  Earlier this month, we caught up with volunteers …

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