web1_Oboyle_Bill-2-.jpg

Beyond the Byline: Make JFK proud

web1_Harbaugh-BigTenMediaDay.jpg

Power 5 conferences vote to stop off-campus spring practices

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Anne Ward knows when tax season is approaching in Northeastern Pennsylvania.</p><p>Ward, owner of three Liberty Tax Service franchises, had a waiting room full of people Wednesday at her Wilkes-Barre location on South Main Street. They were anticipating the chance to audition to become one of the company&#8217;s iconic Lady Liberty performers, who will hold signs, wave at passersby and attract customers for the next three months.</p><p>&#8220;We hire about 20 to 30 (performers) between all three locations,&#8221; said Ward. Her other franchises are located in Hanover Township and Tunkhannock.</p><p>While the influx of waving Lady Liberties throughout the area are guaranteed after Jan. 23, the official start of the tax season, Ward said there are some changes for taxpayers this year that may catch some off guard.</p><p>One such change is provisions within the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, which went into effect Jan. 1. The law will delay refunds for early filers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit until Feb. 15. According to IRS.gov, this provision was created to give agents more time to review returns to prevent identity theft and cut down on offering refunds to those who file fraudulent returns.</p><p>Both credits are refundable and widely claimed, which is why the government chose them as its focus. The Earned Income Tax Credit is one that is available to low- to moderate-income families. The Additional Child Tax Credit is a refundable credit associated with the Child Tax Credit.</p><p>In Pennsylvania, 919,000 tax returns claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2016. That&#8217;s a total of $2.1 billion in refunds, with an average of $2,271 per refund issued.</p><p>While Ward believes in the notion of cutting down identity theft, she said it&#8217;s those who claim these credits that will be hurt most by the delay.</p><p>&#8220;People use (their refunds) to catch up on holiday bills,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I&#8217;m a little concerned.&#8221;</p><p>In reality, taxpayers taking these credits will probably have to wait even longer to get their refunds &#8212; until the week of Feb. 27, the IRS says, because of weekends and the President&#8217;s Day holiday.</p><p>Ward encourages people to file as early as they can to ensure their refunds aren&#8217;t delayed any further. She said using direct deposit or a pre-paid debit card can help taxpayers access their funds more quickly as well.</p><p>Liberty Tax Service also offers a free advance of up to $1,300 for those who qualify. Ward said the program was developed in direct response to the PATH Act for those who need the money sooner rather than later.</p><p>For those who choose to do their own taxes, the IRS has a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free" target="_blank">Free File service</a> available beginning Jan. 23.</p><p>Dr. Marianne Rexer, a professor of accounting at Wilkes University, said taxpayers should use e-file systems because it is a speedy way to send in a return. However, she warns the increased use of this could also lead to an increase in bogus e-file products that could lead to identity theft.</p><p>&#8220;This delay (in refunds) will lead to an increase in the number of identity theft products for sale and individuals should be careful if/when they select a product,&#8221; she said via email.</p><p>This year&#8217;s filing deadline is Tuesday, April 18, since the traditional April 15 date falls on a Saturday, and D.C. Emancipation Day is observed on April 17.</p><p>For more information about this year&#8217;s tax season, visit <a href="http://www.irs.gov" target="_blank">www.irs.gov</a>.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL01xx17Liberty1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Franchise owner Sue Ward poses with Lady Liberty at Liberty Tax Service in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Ward said changes coming in the upcoming tax season may leave some taxpayers cash-strapped. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_TTL01xx17Liberty1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Franchise owner Sue Ward poses with Lady Liberty at Liberty Tax Service in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Ward said changes coming in the upcoming tax season may leave some taxpayers cash-strapped. </caption0><photoCredit0>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Many refunds will not be issued before Feb. 15 due to new law</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Sarah Hite Hando</p><p>shando@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>DATES TO REMEMBER</strong></p><p><strong>Jan. 23</strong></p><p>Tax season begins; this is the soonest returns will be accepted</p><p><strong>Feb. 15</strong></p><p>Soonest date refunds can be issued for those claiming Earned Income and Additional Child Tax Credits</p><p><strong>Feb. 27</strong></p><p>Date refunds may be delayed until due to weekends and President&#8217;s Day</p><p><strong>April 18</strong></p><p>Filing deadline &#8212; taxpayers filing after this date will face penalty, unless an extension has been approved</p><p><strong>Oct. 16</strong></p><p>Last day to file a return with an extension</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Sarah Hite Hando at 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Many federal tax refunds will not be issued before Feb. 15 due to new law