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Leadership WB team wants to bring some joy to SPCA dogs

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‘Curling’ up to a new sport during open house

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reminds Pennsylvanians that staff is available at the department&#8217;s district offices to help taxpayers who need assistance with filing their personal income tax returns. The deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is April 17.</p><p>Staff at district offices also can help answer general tax-related questions and assist older and disabled Pennsylvanians with filing their application forms for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.</p><p>District offices are located in Scranton, Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Norristown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading and Sunbury. The offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.</p><p>Pennsylvanians seeking tax filing assistance at district offices are encouraged to bring photo identification and their Social Security cards. Personal income tax assistance is also available through the department&#8217;s Online Customer Service Center and by calling 717-787-8201 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.</p><p>Pennsylvanians also have the option to electronically file their personal income tax returns. Tax returns that are filed electronically are processed faster, leading to taxpayers receiving their refunds sooner. Pennsylvanians can get a jump-start on filing their state tax returns by using the following paper-less e-filing options:</p><p><strong>Padirectfile</strong></p><p>Padirectfile, a free state-only personal income tax filing system, is available through the Department of Revenue&#8217;s website.</p><p><strong>E-filing for free</strong></p><p>Free e-file options are available to file state and federal returns using software from a reputable vendor. Some vendors impose income limits for free services.</p><p><strong>E-filing for a fee</strong></p><p>Paid tax preparers and commercial tax preparation software providers offer e-filing services for a fee.</p><p>E-filing offers advantages not available to taxpayers filing by paper, including error-reducing automatic calculators, instant confirmation of successful filing, and direct deposit options.</p><p>All taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2017 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return.</p><p>Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by visiting the department&#8217;s website and selecting the &#8220;Where&#8217;s My Personal Income Tax Refund?&#8221; link or by calling 1-888-PATAXES.</p><p>Free tax forms and instructions are available at www.revenue.pa.gov.</p><p><strong>Persian Gulf vets reminded</strong></p><p><strong>to apply for bonus program</strong></p><p>Eligible veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations from Aug. 2, 1990, to Aug. 31, 1991, have six months to collect a special one-time payment to honor their service and sacrifice. Applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Bonus are due by Aug. 31.</p><p>The bonus program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, pays $75 per month for qualifying, active-duty service members, up to a $525 maximum. For personnel whose death was related to illness or injury received in the line of duty in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, there is an additional $5,000 available to the surviving family. Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000.</p><p>&#8220;Our hope is that every veteran eligible for this well-deserved bonus takes the time to apply by the August 31 deadline, which is quickly approaching,&#8221; said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania&#8217;s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. &#8220;Thousands of veterans have earned this bonus with their bravery and personal sacrifice serving away from home in hostile foreign land. This bonus is one more way to say &#8216;thank you&#8217; for so selflessly preserving our freedom.&#8221;</p><p>To be eligible for the bonus, a service member must have:</p><p>&#8226; Served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard.</p><p>&#8226; Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990, to Aug. 31, 1991.</p><p>&#8226; Received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.</p><p>&#8226; Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active duty service.</p><p>&#8226; Been discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty.</p><p>Since 2008, about 9,500 Persian Gulf Conflict veterans have applied for and received a bonus for their war efforts. Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program.</p><p>For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit www.persiangulfbonus.pa.gov.</p><p><strong>Eating disorders affect women</strong></p><p><strong>and men across all backgrounds</strong></p><p>Acting Health Secretary and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine met this week with survivors and industry leaders as part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week to discuss the support needed by individuals and their families affected by eating disorders.</p><p>&#8220;Eating disorders are serious conditions that are potentially life-threatening, and have a great impact on all aspects of a person&#8217;s health,&#8221; Levine said in a news release. &#8220;The pressure, attitudes and behaviors that cause eating disorders to develop are prevalent in our culture, and it is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of eating disorders to help connect those who are suffering with the support they need.&#8221;</p><p>Eating disorders are serious illnesses and are not lifestyle choices, the release states. These illnesses usually appear in adolescence, and are associated with substantial psychological problems, including depression, substance abuse and suicide.</p><p>For more information on eating disorders, and other health issues, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov. </p><p><strong>Problem Gambling Month</strong></p><p><strong>highlights available help</strong></p><p>The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and the Pennsylvania Lottery are part of the March observance of National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The agencies urged the public to learn how to recognize the signs of a gambling problem.</p><p>&#8220;As legalized gambling becomes more prevalent around the commonwealth, it is more important than ever to recognize when a recreational hobby is becoming a serious problem,&#8221; said DDAP Acting Deputy Secretary Ellen DiDomenico. &#8220;Treatment is available for people with compulsive and problematic gambling habits. Having the conversation about problem gambling can help your loved one take the first step to get help that can prevent potential financial issues and social strains that can arise due to a gambling addiction.&#8221;</p><p>Gambling &#8211; even through legal avenues &#8211; becomes a problem when individuals begin to develop strained relationships with loved ones, borrow money to gamble, gamble to seek a high or feeling, and miss work, school, or other activities and obligations to gamble, a press release says. These behaviors can have a serious impact on a person&#8217;s financial, physical, and mental health. Other symptoms of a gambling problem include trying to hide or lying about gambling, using gambling as an escape to avoid dealing with other problems, and feeling like the habit is out of control but being unable to stop.</p><p>For more on how to recognize the warning signs and to find treatment options, visit www.ddap.pa.gov, http://www.paproblemgambling.com/ or call 1-877-565-2112 to reach DDAP&#8217;s gambling helpline.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Carrelli </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_PA-Adjutant-General-Tony-Carrelli.jpg</photo0><caption0>Carrelli </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_levine.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Levine </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_levine.jpg</photo1><caption1>Levine </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_NPGAMLogo_2018.jpg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Department of Revenue staff available to assist with state tax returns