Family and Consumer Sciences : Money Topics

Money Topics

• Become a New York State Saver
• Where's My Advanced Child Tax Credit
• Tax Scam Targeting Recipients of Advance Child Tax Credit

Become a New York State Saver Build Wealth, Not Debt is the theme of the New York State Saves Program. Anyone who agrees to work toward a savings goal or focus on paying down debt is eligable to become a NYS Saver. Reducing debt and increasing savings can be done with as little as $10 per month. Identify your specific savings or debt reduction goal. Decide where you will put that money. Now you are ready to complete the enrollment form and sign on with NYS Saves. Enrollment in the program is free. For a copy of the enrollment brochure call Cornell Cooperative Extension in Washington County at 1-800-548-0881 or enroll online at www.AmericaSaves.org. As a New York Saver you will receive an enrollment card, a copy of the quarterly newsletter, America Saves; and helpful tips on how to increase savings and reduce debt. If you need additional information about the New York Saves program, please call Eileen Ciance, Extension Educator at 1-800-548-0881. Saving More of What you Earn See A Dozen Ways to Save More of Your Paycheck by Utah State University Extension More money saving ideas from America Saves

How Can I Afford To Save More Today?   Per Week Per Year $5 $260 $7 $364 $12 $624   What it Means Tomorrow? (the power of compounding*) 1 yr 10 yr 30 yr 40 yr $281 $4068 $12,850 $31,810 $393 $5695 $17,990 $44,534 $674 $9,763 $30,840 $76,344 *8% Compounded Annually

Where's My Advanced Child Tax Credit?

Taxpayers can check on-line at IRS.gov after July 15th . They should not use the toll-free refund line. Checks will be mailed starting July 25th and you don't have to call, apply or fill out any forms. Notices will be sent to taxpayers on July 22, July 29 and Aug 5 informing them of the payment amount. IRS will automatically mail checks to eligible taxpayers beginning July 25th. Taxpayers will receive their checks
weekly based on the last two digits of their social security number; the lowest numbers will receive their payment first. The IRS urges taxpayers to hold OH to these notices for their 2003 tax returns.

This child tax credit is the non-refundable credit and should not be confused with the additional child tax credit. The IRS will use 2002 tax return data to determine who will receive the automatic advance payment. If you were not eligible for the full Child Tax Credit of 600 on your 2002 return, you will not get the full advanced payment of 400. You will not qualify for this credit if your child turns 17 during 2003.

Tax Scam Targets Recipients of Advance Child Tax Credit

The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert warning taxpayers about a new scam targeting potential recipients of the Advance Child Tax Credit.

A taxpayer receives a telephone call from a person who promises to speed up the payment of the Advance Child Tax Credit checks. The catch is the taxpayer must agree to a 39.99 charge to a credit card. Once the taxpayer agrees to the charge and provides a credit card number or other sensitive personal information, she could find a much larger charge to her account. By the time the taxpayer realizes something is wrong, the scam operator is long gone, possibly victimizing another taxpayer.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that no person or organization can "speed up" the payment of tax Benefits. The Scam also feature callers seeking credit card information to get taxpayers to pay for special benefits. Scam artist use current events to prey on unsuspecting victims.

If you encounter this latest tax scam or suspect tax fraud or abuse in some other situation, report it to your nearest Internal Revenue Service office. When in doubt, seek help from the IRS or a tax professional.

You can call the IRS tax fraud hotline at 1-800-829-0433.