Amber Alert Canceled For Two California Girls

An Amber Alert issued for two missing California girls has been canceled. The girls and the suspect were found in Utah.

Natalya Litwin, 6, and her sister, Katelyn Litwin, 2, were found in Utah this morning. Police report that the girls are safe. The suspect, Stephen Litwin has been taken into custody.

The suspect heard about the Amber Alert and contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

AMBER ALERT: 2 CALIFORNIA GIRLS

Police in California have issued an Amber Alert for two girls that were taken by their father. The suspect has threatened to harm the children.

The children are 6-year-old Natalya Litwin and 2-year-old. I don't have photos at this time. They were taken from their home by 34-year-old Stephen Litwin.

The suspect is believed to be driving a silver 2004 Mercury Mountaineer sports utility vehicle with California license plate 5LGE045. Police said the man is possibly headed to Oakdale, Conn. Authorities describe the suspect as 6-foot-4, weighing 165 pounds, brown hair and eyes, and tattoos on his left forearm.

If you have information, please contact 911.

Tax Tip: Checking the Status of Your Refund

If you already filed your federal tax return and are due a refund, you have several options to check on your refund. Here are eight things the IRS wants you to know about checking the status of your refund:

1. Online Access to Refund Information Where’s My Refund? or ¿Dónde está mi reembolso? are interactive tools on http://www.irs.gov and are the fastest, easiest way to get information about your federal income tax refund. Whether you split your refund among several accounts, opted for direct deposit into one account, used part of your refund to buy U.S. Savings Bonds or asked the IRS to mail you a check, Where’s My Refund? and ¿Dónde está mi reembolso? give you online access to your refund information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s quick, easy and secure.

2. When to Check Refund Status If you e-file, you can get refund information 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return. If you file a paper return, refund information will generally be available three to four weeks after mailing your return.

3. What You Need to Check Refund Status When checking the status of your refund, have your federal tax return handy. To get your personalized refund information you must enter:
* Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
* Your filing status which will be Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married.
* Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er).
* Exact whole dollar refund amount shown on your tax return.

4. What the Online Tool Will Tell You Once you enter your personal information, you could get several responses, including:
* Acknowledgement that your return was received and is in processing.
* The mailing date or direct deposit date of your refund.
* Notice that the IRS could not deliver your refund due to an incorrect address. In this instance, you may be able to change or correct your address online using Where’s My Refund?

5. Customized Information Where’s My Refund? also includes links to customized information based on your specific situation. The links guide you through the steps to resolve any issues affecting your refund. For example, if you do not get the refund within 28 days from the original IRS mailing date shown on Where’s My Refund?, you may be able to start a refund trace.

6. Visually Impaired Taxpayers Where’s My Refund? is also accessible to visually impaired taxpayers who use the Job Access with Speech screen reader used with a Braille display and is compatible with different JAWS modes.

7. Toll-free Number If you do not have internet access, you can check the status of your refund in English or Spanish by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954 or the IRS TeleTax System at 800-829-4477. When calling, you must provide your or your spouse’s Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar refund amount shown on your return.

8. IRS2Go This is the IRS’ first smartphone application that lets taxpayers check on the status of their tax refund. Apple users can download the free IRS2Go application by visiting the Apple App Store. Android users can visit the Android Marketplace to download the free IRS2Go app.

Where’s My Refund?

Tax Tip: Hey Bob, What's This First-Time Homebuyer Credit?

If you purchased a home in 2010, you may be eligible to claim the First-Time Homebuyer Credit, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a long-time resident purchasing a new home. The purchaser must have been at least 18 years old on the date of purchase; for a married couple, only one spouse must meet this age requirement. A dependent is not eligible to claim the credit.

Here are eight things the IRS wants you to know about claiming the credit:

You must have bought – or entered into a binding contract to buy – a principal residence located in the United States on or before April 30, 2010. If you entered into a binding contract by April 30, 2010, you must have closed on the home on or before September 30, 2010.

To be considered a first-time homebuyer, you and your spouse – if you are married – must not have jointly or separately owned another principal residence during the three years prior to the date of purchase.

To be considered a long-time resident homebuyer you and your spouse – if you are married – must have lived in the same principal residence for any consecutive five-year period during the eight-year period that ended on the date the new home is purchased.

The maximum credit for a first-time homebuyer is $8,000, half that amount for married individuals filing separately. The maximum credit for a long-time resident homebuyer is $6,500. Married individuals filing separately are limited to $3,250.

You must file a paper return and attach Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit with additional documents to verify the purchase. Therefore, if you claim the credit you will not be able to file electronically.

New homebuyers must attach a copy of a properly executed settlement statement used to complete such purchase. Buyers of a newly constructed home, where a settlement statement is not available, must attach a copy of the dated certificate of occupancy. Mobile home purchasers who are unable to get a settlement statement must attach a copy of the retail sales contract.

If you are a long-time resident claiming the credit, the IRS recommends that you also attach any documentation covering the five-consecutive-year period, including Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement or substitute mortgage interest statements, property tax records or homeowner’s insurance records.

Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit.

For more information about these rules including details about documentation and other eligibility requirements for the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, visithttp://www.irs.gov/recovery.

IRS

Tax Tip: Hey Bob, I Haven't Received My W-2. What Do I do Now?

If you haven’t received your W-2, follow these four steps:

1. Contact your employer If you have not received your W-2, contact your employer to inquire if and when the W-2 was mailed. If it was mailed, it may have been returned to the employer because of an incorrect or incomplete address. After contacting the employer, allow a reasonable amount of time for them to resend or to issue the W-2.

2. Contact the IRS If you do not receive your W-2 by February 14th, contact the IRS for assistance at 800-829-1040. When you call, you must provide your name, address, city and state, including zip code, Social Security number, phone number and have the following information:

Employer’s name, address, city and state, including zip code and phone number

Dates of employment

An estimate of the wages you earned, the federal income tax withheld, and when you worked for that employer during 2010. The estimate should be based on year-to-date information from your final pay stub or leave-and-earnings statement, if possible.

3. File your return You still must file your tax return or request an extension to file April 18, 2011, even if you do not receive your Form W-2. If you have not received your Form W-2 by the due date, and have completed steps 1 and 2, you may use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Attach Form 4852 to the return, estimating income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible. There may be a delay in any refund due while the information is verified.

4. File a Form 1040X On occasion, you may receive your missing W-2 after you filed your return using Form 4852, and the information may be different from what you reported on your return. If this happens, you must amend your return by filing a Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

Form 4852, Form 1040X, and instructions are available at http://www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

IRS

A Stroll Through Haight-Ashbury

The Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco was a mecca for the "Beat Generation" until 1964. At that time a new generation invaded Haight-Ashbury, the "Hip Generation." Comprised of young people growing their hair, tuning in, turning on and dropping out, peacefully protesting the Viet Nam War. A young generation listening to new musicians like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company.

Haight-Ashbury, lined with Victorian style houses, became filled with the sound of "Hippie" music, the smell of marijuana openly inhaled on the streets, and people wearing multi-colored paisley and tie-dyed skirts and shirts. It was a scene that scared parents of the time half to death.

The Haight district played host to the Summer of Love when tens of thousands of young people filled the streets and Golden Gate Park in 1967. What better place than Haight-Ashbury as the center of the Hippie Movement?

Today, the colorful Victorian buildings still line the streets. There are still "head shops", where the connoisseur of various mind altering inhalants can find water pipes, hash pipes, and various other paraphernalia, if they can afford it.

There are still second hand and consignment stores. You can walk into a poster/tee shirt shop where you are greeted by the aroma of stale incense as you pass through the door.

The ambiance of 1960's Haight has vanished. There is no longer the young lady, d

ressed in a multi-colored skirt and a blouse emblazoned with a peace sign surrounded by a tie-dyed pattern, selling flowers to be worn in your hair. There are a few die hard hippies. I briefly talked with a pony tail sporting gentleman who never left the district after he arrived in 1966. We agreed that no matter how hard people try, they'll never be able to resurrect the aura of Haight-Ashbury as it was in the 60's.

Tax Tip: Hey Bob, Is All Income Taxable?

Most income is taxable, but there are situations when certain types of income are partially taxed or not taxed at all.

Here are some common examples of items not included as taxable income:

Adoption Expense Reimbursements for qualifying expenses

Child support payments

Gifts, bequests and inheritances

Workers' compensation benefits

Meals and Lodging for the convenience of your employer

Compensatory Damages awarded for physical injury or physical sickness

Welfare Benefits

Cash Rebates from a dealer or manufacturer

Some income may be taxable under certain circumstances, but not taxable in other situations. Examples of items that may or may not be included in your taxable income are:

Life Insurance If you surrender a life insurance policy for cash, you must include in income any proceeds that are more than the cost of the life insurance policy. Life insurance proceeds, which were paid to you because of the insured person’s death, are not taxable unless the policy was turned over to you for a price.

Scholarship or Fellowship Grant If you are a candidate for a degree, you can exclude amounts you receive as a qualified scholarship or fellowship. Amounts used for room and board do not qualify.

Non-cash Income Taxable income may be in a form other than cash. One example of this is bartering, which is an exchange of property or services. The fair market value of goods and services exchanged is fully taxable and must be included as income on Form 1040 of both parties.

All other items—including income such as wages, salaries, tips and unemployment compensation — are fully taxable and must be included in your income unless it is specifically excluded by law.

These examples are not all-inclusive. For more information, see Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, which can be obtained at http://www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

IRS

Scam Alert: Hit Man E-mail Hoax Returns for Bank Account Numbers - AARP Bulletin

Scam Alert: Hit Man E-mail Hoax Returns for Bank Account Numbers - AARP Bulletin

Tax Tip: Hey Bob, Are My Social Security Benefits Taxable?

I think I get asked this more than any other tax question. The answer is: maybe.

According to the IRS, the Social Security benefits you received in 2010 may be taxable. You should receive a Form SSA1099 which will show the total amount of your benefits. The information provided on this statement along with the following seven facts from the IRS will help you determine whether or not your benefits are taxable.

1. How much – if any – of your Social Security benefits are taxable depends on your total income and marital status.
2. Generally, if Social Security benefits were your only income for 2010, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to file a federal income tax return.
3. If you received income from other sources, your benefits will not be taxed unless your modified adjusted gross income is more than the base amount for your filing status.
4. Your taxable benefits and modified adjusted gross income are figured on a worksheet in the Form 1040A or Form 1040 Instruction booklet.
5. You can do the following quick computation to determine whether some of your benefits may be taxable:
   • First, add one-half of the total Social Security benefits you received to all your other income, including any tax exempt interest and other exclusions from income.
   • Then, compare this total to the base amount for your filing status. If the total is more than your base amount, some of your benefits may be taxable.
6. The 2010 base amounts are:
   • $32,000 for married couples filing jointly.
   • $25,000 for single, head of household, qualifying widow/widower with a dependent child, or married individuals filing separately who did not live with their spouses at any time during the year.
   • $0 for married persons filing separately who lived together during the year.
7. For additional information on the taxability of Social Security benefits, see IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

Amber Alert Canceled For 5 Missouri Children

Missouri police have canceled the Amber Alert for 5 children abducted by their noncustodial father. The children were found in Pettis County. This is all I have on the abduction.

AMBER ALERT: 5 MISSOURI CHILDREN

Five children missing from Miller County Missouri may be headed for Kansas City or liberty.

The Miller County Sheriff, William M. "Bill" Abbot, advised of the abduction of five children ages 2,4,6,8, and 10. These children were taken by a non-custodial parent in the early morning hours of Feb 4, 2011. The person of interest on the abduction is Michael Minor white male age 42; he is possibly in the Kansas City/Liberty or en route back to the Miller County or Eldon area via US50. If you have any information, please call the Miller County Sheriff's Department at 573-369-2341 or 911.

Missing Child

Name: Marissa Cochran

Alias:

Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown

Skin Color: White Age: 10YO

Height: 4FT4 Weight: 65LBS

Gender: Female

Description: The child was last seen wearing an orange tank top and orange shorts.

Missing Child

Name: Chloe Minor

Alias:

Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Blue

Skin Color: White Age: 4YO

Height: 3FT6 Weight: 40LBS

Gender: Female

Description: The child as last seen wearing a white t-shirt and Hannah Montana pajama pants.

Missing Child

Name: Grace Minor

Alias:

Hair Color: Blonde Eye Color: Blue

Skin Color: White Age: 8YO

Height: 4FT1 Weight: 60LBS

Gender: Female

Description: The child was last seen wearing a pink fuchsia monkey night gown.

Missing Child

Name: Stephanie Minor

Alias:

Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown

Skin Color: White Age: 6YO

Height: 3FT9 Weight: 50LBS

Gender: Female

Description: The child was last seen wearing a white ndd maroon Eldon Mustangs football t-shirt and blue shorts.

Missing Child

Name: Zackary Minor

Alias:

Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown

Skin Color: White Age: 2YO

Height: 3FT0 Weight: 28LBS

Gender: Male

Description: The child was last seen wearing red and blue Mickey Mouse pajamas.

Suspect

Name: Michael Minor

Alias:

Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Blue

Skin Color: White Age: 42YO

Height: 6FT0 Weight: 320LBS

Gender: Male

Description: The suspect was last seen wearing an orange and black long sleeve polo shirt and blue jeans.

Vehicle Information

Make: Oldsmobile Model: Cutlass/Ciera

Color: White Interior Color:

License State: MO License Text: WE2L5C

You heard about this first at Gather!

CPSC Recall: Briggs & Stratton Recalls Model 40 V-Twin Engine Due to Injury Hazard; Used on Sears, Husqvarna, Bad Boy Riding Mowers

This brings the total CPSC recalls for 2011 to 33:

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product:

Name of Product: Briggs & Stratton Model 40 V-Twin Engine

Units: About 50Manufacturer: Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.

Hazard: Wear on misrouted wiring may cause it to disconnect from the shut-off device, allowing the engine to continue running when the key is in the "OFF" position or when the operator gets off the seat while the mower is engaged, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recalled product is a Briggs & Stratton V-twin engine with the date code 100201Y. The engines can be found in the following lawn mowers: Craftsman, model 247:289810; Husqvarna, model 960460016; and Bad Boy, model BBM4826BS. The engine date code is bottom-most number located on the valve cover of the engine. The valve cover is located at the front of the engine near the oil dipstick.

Sold by: Sears, under the Craftsman brand; The Home Depot, under the Husqvarna brand; and Tractor Supply Company, under the Bad Boy brand. The mowers were sold in February 2010 and March 2010 for between $1,500 and $3,500.

Manufactured in: USA

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the riding mowers and contact a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer for free inspection and repair. Consumers with affected Craftsman and Husqvarna models were notified by letter from Sears and Briggs & Stratton. Tractor Supply Company has not notified the purchasers of the affected Bad Boy models.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Briggs & Stratton Corporation at (866) 927-3349 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website atwww.briggsandstratton.com/engines/support/contact.

CPSC

Amber Alert To Be Cancelled For 4-Year Old California Boy

It is with very deep sorrow to inform you the body of a child matching the description of 4-year old Juliani Cardenas was found about 30 miles downstream in the canal where the suspected kidnapper's car was found Friday. Sheriff's deputies believe the body is that of the kidnapped child.