Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:32

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A.G. Issues Tips To Help Consumers Avoid Deceptive And Fraudulent Practices This Tax Season

Schneiderman: Taking Advantage Of Innocent People In This Tough Economy Is Shameful

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NEW YORK ‑ With the deadline for filing personal income tax returns less than one month away, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued tips to protect New Yorkers from tax preparation scams. The Attorney General also asked taxpayers to notify his office of any suspected fraudulent schemes designed to steal personal and financial information from consumers.

“Taking advantage of innocent people in this tough economy is shameful, and will not be tolerated by my office,” saidAttorney General Schneiderman. “New Yorkers who are trying to obey the law by filing their taxes on time should not have to worry about being ripped off by tax scammers covertly charging them excessive fees, or peddling other cons. Tax season is stressful enough. That’s why my office is helping provide New Yorkers the information they need to make sure they don’t get ripped off by scam artists.”

Each year, Attorney General Schneiderman’s offices throughout the state receive complaints from consumers about tax preparation schemes.  Some scammers prey on seniors or college students by impersonating tax authorities, soliciting follow up information on a tax form, and collecting identification numbers and social security information, which is then used to steal people’s money or identities. Others have even gone to the extreme of using “spoofing technology” to make their caller ID numbers come up to look like they are from the IRS.

Taxpayers should be alert to tax preparation businesses that advertise low fees to get the customer in the door, but then increase the final fee by hundreds of dollars claiming the tax return was more complicated than anticipated, or to a tax preparer who electronically withdraws more than the agreed upon fee without notice to the consumer.

As taxpayers look for help in filing their taxes, Attorney General Schneiderman issued the following tips for consumers:

• Use recognizable and established companies;
• Check the tax preparer's qualifications;
• Check the tax preparer's history through the Better Business Bureau;
• Ask for a written estimate of all fees;
• Avoid those who base their fees on a percentage of your refund;
• Make sure the tax preparer is accessible, even after the April due date;
• Never sign a blank return;
• Review entire return before signing;
• Make sure the preparer signs the tax form and includes a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN);
• Avoid "too good to be true" promises;
• Consult New York's "Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers.”

Consumers should also beware of refund anticipation loans (RALs) and refund anticipation checks (RACs). RALs are often marketed as "instant" or "24-hour" refunds but are actually high cost loans that come with fees and interest that reduce the amount of any refund. New York State’s General Business Law section 372 (known as the Consumer Bill of Rights regarding Tax Preparers), requires RALs to be marketed as loans - not refunds. RACs are temporary bank accounts established on behalf of a taxpayer into which a direct deposit refund can be received but these also come with fees that will reduce the consumer’s refund. The tax preparer must give the consumer a written disclosure that explains:

• You are not required to take out a refund anticipation loan or refund anticipation check in order to receive your tax refund
• The amount of fees and interest you will have to pay if you take out a refund anticipation loan or refund anticipation check
• The amount you will receive after the fees and interest are deducted
• The annual percentage rate of interest that you will be charged
• The amount your refund will be if you don’t take out a refund anticipation loan

Consumers can avoid the costs of refund anticipation loans and checks by filing their return electronically and having refunds either mailed or directly deposited into their own bank account.

The Attorney General is also reminding New Yorkers that there are Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites where consumers can get their tax returns prepared free of charge. For more information about how to qualify and identify a VITA location site go to: www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html.

Consumers whose income is $57,000 or less may qualify for FreeFile and can use free tax preparation and free e-filing software. Information on free e-filing is available at: www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/freefile.htm.

Some additional websites with helpful information include:

Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc254.html
www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=120129,00.html

NYS Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers
www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/memos/income/m08_7i.pdf

NYC Department of Consumer Affairs

www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/home/home.shtml

Attorney General Schneiderman is urging New Yorkers to be vigilant consumers and to report instances of fraud to his Office. Consumers who feel they've been victims of any tax preparation scams are urged to file complaints by visiting the Office’s website or calling 1-800-771-7755.

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Wednesday, 20 March 2013 10:15

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Friends of Harmony Hall~Jacob Sloat House Invite Families to the Sloatsburg Mansion to Celebrate the Coming of Spring

Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 2-5 PM 

FOHH's popular Vernal Equinox celebration returns to Sloatsburg's Harmony Hall on March 23rd. Back by popular request is a new multimedia performance by Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch featuring a presentation of Geoff 's dramatic natural photographyagainst the backdrop of his original musical compositions. Joining Goeff is Friends of Sterling Forest Educator Doc Bayne, talking about the famous gardens that once attracted thousands to the Ramapo Pass; and Highlands mushroom expert Ray Clyne. Come and enjoy a variety of performances and a nature walk as we welcome back spring. The event is free!

For more information or for directions to Harmony Hall, click here

Suffern Chamber of Commerce Member Business of the Month: Crystal Car Wash 

Crystal Car Wash is a full service car wash and detailing center. We also offer alarms, automatic car starters, and window tinting.

Address: 2 South St, Suffern, NY 10901  Phone: 845-369-9274 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Recent Chamber President, Richard Gandon, hosts new Rockland radio show on WRCR

Rich Gandon, who is the Suffern-based publisher of the RamapoTimes and The Rockland Star, has hit the airwaves with a new radio talk show. The program, which is broadcast every Friday from 12-1 PM over WRCR Rockland, brings listeners in touch with the people and issues that are shaping Rockland County. With Rich at the mircophone, Suffern people and businesses are finally getting their fair share of airtime, helping to ensure that Western Rockland people and events don't escape the attention of county listeners. Consider spending your lunch this Friday in front of a radio!

Renew Your Membership for Only $75

Early-bird special extended for 2012 members

If you haven't done so already, please submit your membership application for 2013 and do it for the early-bird fee of $75!. March marks the beginning of the Chamber's program year. Make sure your membership is in place and ensure that you will have a voice in the economic future of western Rockland.

For the first time, the Chamber is taking advantage of a new, free service that is provided by Adobe - the same company that provides you with a free PDF reader. This new membership application option allows you to simply click this link and fill-out the on-screen application form. When you are finished, click SUBMIT at the bottom of the application form and you are done once we have received your dues payment. If you have trouble accessing the electronic application, you may need to update your current version of Adobe Reader for free by clicking here. It only takes a few moments and you will be up-to-date when it comes to receiving the full benefits available from the world's most popular free document reader. 

In exchange for your Chamber membership, you will receive benefits that include:

- Bi-weekly copies of the Chamber's outstanding, new, electronic newsletter, Chamber Chatter, which keeps you up-to-date on Chamber and community activities, member news, and other local, state and national business news.

- Inclusion in local business directories that will be made available on the Chamber website and in print.

- Discounted participation in the Chamber's three annual Suffern street fairs.

- Opportunities to advertise your business on the downtown Suffern kiosk at the corner of Lafayette Avenue & Chestnut Street.  

- Foot-traffic generated by a host of Chamber events aimed at promoting the western Rockland business community and its rich heritage.

- Representation before state and local lawmakers and economic development councils that play a role in the revitalization of the local region, its economy and its business community.

April Dates 

The April Chamber of Commerce meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm in the Community Room at Suffern Village Hall on April 10th.

The Suffern Antique Car Show & Street Fair is on April 28th from 10:00am until 5:00pm on Lafayette Avenue. 

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