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Daily Archives: February 8, 2015

IRS Launches Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers; Online Tool Offers New Option to Help Taxpayers

“The Internal Revenue Service announced [February 5, 2015] the launch of a new, online public directory of tax return preparers. This searchable directory on IRS.gov will help taxpayers find a tax professional with credentials and select qualifications to help them prepare their tax returns. “This new directory will be a practical tool for the millions of Americans who rely on the services of a paid return preparer,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Taxpayers can also look to these tax professionals for help if they have questions about the new health care provisions on this year’s tax forms.” The directory is a searchable, sortable listing featuring:  the name, city, state and zip code of attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and those who have completed the requirements for the voluntary IRS Annual Filing Season Program. All preparers listed also have valid 2015 Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN). Taxpayers may search the directory using the preferred credentials or qualifications they seek in a preparer, or by a preparer’s location, including professionals who practice abroad. Tax return preparers with PTINs who are not attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents or Annual Filing Season Program participants are not included in the directory, nor are volunteer tax return preparers who offer free services. The directory can also be a resource for taxpayers who may want to get help from tax professionals on the Affordable Care Act tax provisions that affect returns filed this year. The vast majority of people will only have to check a box on their federal income tax returns to indicate they had health coverage. Others may have Marketplace coverage with tax credits, have exemptions or need them, or may have to make a payment because they could afford to buy health insurance but chose not to. The IRS provides extensive information on IRS.gov/aca to help taxpayers better understand the details of the new health care law. Many tax professionals, including those listed on the new directory, will be able to help taxpayers understand these changes.  More than 140 million individual tax returns were filed last year, and more than half of them were prepared with the help of a paid return preparer. To help taxpayers navigate the different types of professional tax help available, last December, the IRS unveiled IRS.gov/chooseataxpro, a page that explains the different categories of professionals. Taxpayers can also use a new partner page available on IRS.gov that provides links to the web sites of national non-profit tax professional groups, which can help provide additional information for taxpayers seeking the right type of qualified help. The IRS also offers free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. But whether using a paid tax professional, relying on the help of a volunteer or preparing their own returns, taxpayers should consider preparing and filing their returns electronically. Electronic filing is the easiest way to file a complete and accurate tax return. There are a variety of electronic filing options, including IRS Free File for qualified taxpayers, commercial software and professional assistance.”

Geospatial Resolution of Human and Bacterial Diversity with City-Scale Metagenomics

Afshinnekoo et al, Geospatial Resolution of Human and Bacterial Diversity with City-Scale Metagenomics, CELS (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cels.2015.01.001 “The panoply of microorganisms and other species present in our environment influence human health and disease, especially in cities, but have not been profiled with metagenomics at a city-wide scale. We sequenced DNA from surfaces across the entire New… Continue Reading

The Philanthropy 50

The Chronicle of Philanthropy – “America’s biggest donors gave $9.8-billion to nonprofits in 2014, with foundations and higher education receiving the most money. A number of donors are focused on scientific research, and some tech entrepreneurs are giving while they’re still building their businesses.” Continue Reading

2012 Economic Census Geographic Area Series: Utilities

“This is a series of national-, state-, county-, place-, and metro area-level data files with statistics for all industries in the utilities sector down to the six-digit North American Industry Classification System level. These include statistics for electric power generation, transmission and distribution; natural gas distribution; and water, sewage, and other systems. The files provide statistics on… Continue Reading

GAO Report – International Classification of Diseases

International Classification of Diseases: CMS’s Efforts to Prepare for the New Version of the Disease and Procedure Codes, GAO-15-255: Published: Jan 28, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2015: “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has undertaken a number of efforts to prepare for the… Continue Reading

UK Interception of Communications Code of Practice

Via The Register: “The UK government slipped out consultation documents on “equipment interference” and “interception of communications” (read: computer hacking by police and g-men) on Friday. They were made public on the same day that the Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruled that the spying revelations exposed by master blabbermouth Edward Snowden had accidentally made British spooks’… Continue Reading

Lawmakers Call on Feds to Investigate Use of Supercookies

“A handful of U.S. senators are asking two federal agencies to investigate Verizon’s use of so-called supercookies that track cellphone users’ habits.  In letters to the Federal Trade and Federal Communications commissions today, the lawmakers said the company’s use of supercookies warrants a thorough examination by both agencies. Among the lawmakers is U.S. Sen. Bill… Continue Reading