e-sound off for the week of May 27, 2010

Your source for community topics and thoughts

Sounding off on tax help
In reference to the “Sounding off on tax help” letter. The tax-aide volunteers are certified by the IRS as qualified personnel to assist in preparing the tax returns. Without knowing all the details, I can only speculate as to why the taxpayer in question had problems. Several conditions exist that prevents the returns from being transmitted and/or accepted, the main one is the failure of the taxpayer to sign the authorization for electronic transmittal. When the taxpayer files a joint return and only one person is present, the authorization is sent with the taxpayer to get signed by the spouse and then returned. If the authorization is not returned, the return cannot be filed. Another problem would be that the taxpayer does not have all the information available and needs to obtain missing information to have the tax return completed. Sometimes the information provided by the taxpayer (dependents, Social Security numbers, and/or stimulus funds received) do not match the IRS database and the return is rejected by the IRS, requiring correction and re-submittal. Again without knowing the specifics involved, I can only guess as to the cause of the taxpayer’s situation.

Reference to “Sounding off on tax help” in the May 20 Enquirer. The taxpayer in question did not have their taxes done either on Feb 6 (Saturday) or April 10 (also Saturday) by AARP Tax-aide. AARP Tax-aide did taxes only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Feb 2 through April 14.

Henry is best for Hartselle
I am a Hartselle tax-paying citizen and Christian and I do all I can to live right. Respecting God’s house of worship is very important to me. I find it very disturbing how our mayor and his wife responded to a situation at their church. I have read all of the news articles. I know what a silent auction is and how it benefits charities and missions. A silent auction is just what the word means, “silent”. If someone had been standing at the pulpit of the church stating “Come on down and bid on this basket of Ed Henry’s,” then that would have been very inappropriate. The mayor appears to intentionally draw attention to himself, just the way he did with the restaurant scene. These events speak loudly to voters telling them where the negative contention is originating. Ed Henry, from what I understand from people who witnessed the restaurant scene, had no problem with the mayor campaigning in his family business. I have witnessed the mayor’s loud discussions in other business settings when he was trying to get his point across. As far as the mayor is concerned, on his few accomplishments in Hartselle, he could not have succeeded in these without a good team to work with him; teamwork is essential in his position.
Myself and many other concerned citizens believe that someone like Dwight Tankersley, who has already held a public office and spent taxpayers’ money like it was falling from Heaven like manna, is not the best person to represent the voters of this area in Montgomery. Look at his record; it speaks volumes for itself.

The Hartselle Enquirer’s e-sound off is an opportunity for residents to provide anonymous comments about community issues. All comments are subject to editing. The Editor reserves the right to refuse publication. In the event of several submissions on a single topic, a representative comment may be used. Comments can include your thoughts on local issues, questions about policies or procedures or praise for a community group, business or person. Email your comments to news@hartselleenquirer.com with “Sound-off” in subject line.

Editor's picks

Heartbreaking finish: Hartselle comes up a run short in state baseball finals

Decatur

Fallen Morgan County officers remembered, families honored  

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle drops Game 1 to Hillcrest, needs two wins for state title

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Despite title loss, Hartselle thankful for state experience 

Editor's picks

Hartselle baseball legend dies

Breaking News

Hartselle baseball legend William Booth dies at 79

At a Glance

ALDOT patching area of Thompson Road tomorrow, Thursday

At a Glance

Spring-time market day in Hartselle scheduled for May 18 

Hartselle

New Crestline Elementary School welcomes students

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle industry closing, affecting more than 150 jobs  

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Habitat for Humanity applications for homeownership available June 3 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

State seeking death penalty for Fort Payne woman accused of pushing victim off cliff

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Pilot of ultralight dies in Hartselle plane crash

Editor's picks

Northern lights visible from north Alabama

Hartselle

Hartselle students to attend Boys State

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

High scorers: 42 Hartselle students a part of ACT 30 plus club

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle projects budget surplus based on midyear numbers 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Planned Hartselle library already piquing interest 

Brewer

Students use practical life skills at Morgan County 4-H competition

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

After 13 years underground, the cicadas are coming 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle students collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House

MULTIMEDIA-FRONT PAGE

Priceville students design art for SRO’s police car 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle Junior Thespians excel at state festival 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

$15k raised for community task force at annual banquet  

x