Back in February, I posted an article regarding the First Time Home Owner’s Credit. It gave a pretty thorough breakdown of the program requirements.  While doing my daily browsing to stay abreast on various topics, I ran across an article that’ s alarming to me!  This money is available, but only for qualified individuals.  No, the government isn’t giving away any free money or money that you were entitled to that someone didn’t tell you about…….

First Time Home Buyers still have time to take advantage of this first time refundable Home Owner’s Credit.  You have until November 31, 2009 to complete the closing on your new home.  Of course there are some requirements, view here, but you may be able to receive up to an $8,000 refundable credit.

If you have already filed your 2008 tax return, you may amend your taxes to include this credit. It will be refunded to you or you can include this information on your 2009 Return and it will be refunded if eligible.

Per the IRS, the credit is 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $7,500 ($8,000 if you purchased your home in 2009) for either a single taxpayer or a married couple filing a joint return, but only half of that amount for married persons filing separate returns. The full credit is available for homes costing $75,000 or more ($80,000 if purchased after Dec. 31, 2008, and . 1, 2009).

The IRS also states that you must have bought the home after April 8th, 2008 but before December 1, 2009 to qualify for the credit.  If you have a home constructed, the first day you occupy the home is the date that is considered as your purchase date.  You can’t claim the credit before the sale and purchase is completed at closing.  Furthermore, you aren’t even eligible if you have owned a principal residence three years prior to this purchase.

J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, questioned the eligibility of some 100,000 claims out of the 1.5 million who have sought to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit economic stimulus package enacted last February. incorporated in the

He said claimants include those who could possibly be illegal immigrants and that 580 people seeking $4 million from the first-time home buyer credit were under the age of 18. The youngest taxpayers receiving the credit were 4 years old, his office said.

George said more than 19,000 people filed 2008 tax returns or amended returns claiming the credit for homes they had not yet purchased. Those claims amounted to $139 million and it was not clear that the IRS planned to go back to verify that those purchases actually took place, he said.

He said his office had identified another $500 million in claims, by some 74,000 taxpayers, where there were indications of prior home ownership.

Yes, times are hard.  The Recession is real, but there is still no reason to legally obtain funds that you are not entitled to receive.  You see, Taxpayers suffer in the long run because of your poor decisions.  You may get this money, but you are risking fines, penalties, imprisonment, and your credibility forever!! Congress is debating whether to extend this credit deadline date, because of these fraudulent act. This could affect the individuals that really do qualify!

IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS! Ask yourself these questions:

• Why are we the only area that’s receiving this money?
• Why haven’t I seen this claim advertised by legitimate news sources?
• Why would the government front me a large sum of money in advance without wanting present or future verification?

These were just a few questions that would appear to be logical to the average person!  Even if you do not think logically, you still have an OBLIGATION TO RESEARCH INFORMATION TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY!!

When there is any doubt or you just need confirmation about anything IRS related, go to www.irs.gov to research.  If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, call a representative Toll Free @ 800-829-1040 anytime Monday through Friday from 7:00 a. m. to 10:00 p. m. Eastern Standard time.  You will be able to speak directly with a Representative that will be more than happy to answer your questions!

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Is it true that some Restaurants are using “fake” chicken and steaks? Some people call it fake, because it is grounded up chicken or beef that has been reconstituted. Darker meats, especially in chicken, have higher Myoglobin which is excreted in muscles that are used more, such as legs and thighs in chicken. Some people always look at darker meat less desirably because of the higher fat content found in it. The meat processors run the meat through a centrifuge which separates the Fat and Myoglobin from the meat. The remaining meat is whiter and then bloated with brine or some water and some fillers such as starches, cereals, or flours amongst other things. What you have is a moldable chicken product or beef product, but they won’t tell you they are doing this. Restaurants use these products in chicken and steak salads. They basically use them in places where the meat is less suspect and/or noticeable.

Many consumers have reported these lower quality meats in many establishments where the price would ultimately suggest that traditional meats would be used! Other restaurants have been found using pork in the place of more expensive veal. Veal is grey or light brown. Look at the inside of the meat when you slice it. If it is white in the middle you most likely have pork!

Other Restaurants have been caught using whiting in the place of more expensive fish as well. When dining out you may also find that restaurants may use certain containers such as Heinz Ketchup containers but in reality they are refilling them with generics for cost cutting techniques.

Another Consumer reported that some Restaurants are selling cups and bowls of soups, wherein the more expensive bowl is actually the same amount just a different shaped container.

Interesting!!!!!

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So, I am out and about and I randomly hear conversations while standing in line about some Individuals not understanding where they fit into this equation of the Economic Stimulus Bill that President Obama signed on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. I especially hear the Elderly conversing about them having to tap into their savings to make ends meet. They are paying more money for health care and prescription costs. Yet, they aren’t receiving an increase in their fixed incomes. Some Elderly couples income are too much to receive assistance, but not enough to fully make ends meet; some are even having to apply for Food Stamps for the first time in their lives.

If you are Elderly, Disabled, or considered to be living in Poverty as more than 37 million and counting Americans are you will be happy to know that…….

President Obama allotted billions to help aid the Poverished during these times ! I have created a small list below to describe some of what this plan includes for the poor:

• Depending upon the State that you reside in, more funds for TANF( Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) will be available, because he allotted $3 billion dollars in Emergency Funds! ( LIKE SOME INDIVIDUALS NEED MORE MOTIVATION NOT TO LOOK FOR A JOB!!!!)
• If you lost your job and could no longer afford health benefits or just NEVER had a job , have no fear, $87 Billion Dollars was allotted for Medicaid! ….And you mean to tell me that some Elderly people who had no choice but to work and was highly illiterate have to pinch pennies by no choice of their own (some of them)  when some Bomquisha’s pinch pennies to go get her HERR did and to park a Lexxus in front of a housing project? What is wrong with that pic?
• Most Bomquisha’s Individuals that receive Food Stamps will get more to sell!!!
• Supplemental Income recipients (Disabled and Elderly) will receive a ONE time payment of $250 while Bomquisha’s continue to get $241 per child TanF!
• If you are receiving unemployment or may receive it in the near future, your benefits will be extended, oh, and you get a $25.00 per week increase! When you go to file your taxes in 2009, the first $2400 of that money will not be taxed.
  
• There will be an expansion of Earned Income Credit (EIC), a new refundable tax credit for workers, and the Child Tax Credit.

I really have nothing against Individuals that need help, but for those that take advantage of the system…..WE PAY FOR IT, the one’s who make too much to qualify, but too little to belong.

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