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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 | 5A CAMPUS from page 1A which began Feb. 10 with fifth grade. Sixth grade started on Feb. 11. Next week, third grad- ers will return to campus Wednesday, Feb. 17, fol- lowed by fourth graders on Feb. 18. The kindergarten has been split into two co- horts. Kindergarten A and first graders start on Wednesday, Feb. 24, and Kindergarten B and second graders start on Feb. 25. According to O’Mara, the elementary will be in a hybrid instruction- al model, with on-site instruction two days a week and distance learning the other two days. Mapleton’s school week is Monday through Thursday. Kindergarten A stu- dents and first, third and fifth graders will attend on-site on Mon- days and Wednesdays. Kindergarten B students and second, fourth and sixth grade students will attend on-site Tuesdays and Thursdays. “If the Lane Coun- ty COVID-19 metrics allow, we are look- ing forward to adding our middle and high school students before spring break, as well as our Pre-K kiddos after spring break,” O’Mara said. For more information, visit Mapleton.k12.or.us. 2021 tax season now open for state, federal returns The Oregon Department of Revenue began processing state income tax returns on Feb. 12, the same day the IRS began processing federal returns. Al- though some taxpayers have already submitted their returns, processing doesn’t start until the tax season officially begins. Returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 16. The fastest way for a taxpayer to get a refund is by e-filing. Taxpay- ers who e-file returns and re- quest refunds via direct deposit receive their refund sooner, on average, than those who file pa- per returns and request refund checks. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud pre- vention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099. Once we begin processing returns, filers can check Where’s My Refund? to see the status of their refund. As a result of COVID-19 stimulus payments, unemploy- ment benefits, and federal tax law changes, there may be im- pacts to what taxpayers file on their Oregon income tax re- turns. Here are some important topics and information for Ore- gon personal income tax filers. Stimulus Payments Economic Impact Payments received during 2020 and early 2021 may impact the amount of federal tax subtraction that can The Department of Revenue recognizes not all individuals will be prepared to pay their taxes in full this year. The de- partment is offering penalty waiver relief for individuals im- pacted by COVID-19, wildfires, or straight-line winds. To learn more, visit Revenue’s tax relief options webpage. COURTESY PHOTO be claimed on the 2020 Oregon personal income tax return. The federal tax subtraction is based on the amount of federal tax you had to pay in the 2020 tax year. Individuals should reduce the amount of federal tax paid in 2020 by the payments re- ceived to determine the amount of federal tax subtraction they are allowed. The federal tax subtraction is limited to $6,950 (or $3,475 if married filing sep- arately). Unemployment Benefits Unemployment benefits are taxable to Oregon. Funds re- ceived through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance pro- gram are also taxable to Oregon. Unlike W-2 wages, unemploy- ment benefits do not automati- cally have amounts withheld to pay taxes at the end of the year. Individuals who did not elect to have withholding on their unemployment may see an in- creased tax bill. For individuals still receiving unemployment benefits in 2021, the department urges recipients to submit Form 1040WH to the Oregon Employment Depart- ment to authorize withholding. Oregon Withholding The Department of Revenue has its own Form OR-W-4. In- dividuals should review their withholding to determine if changes are necessary for tax year 2021. A calculator is avail- able to help ensure withholding amounts are correct. Business Use of Home Oregon is automatically tied to changes made to taxable in- come under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Employees who receive a paycheck or a W-2 exclusively from an employer are not eligible for the business use of home deduction, even if they are currently working from home. Along with other chang- es, the TCJA suspended the use of employee business expenses for employees through 2025. Visit the IRS for more informa- tion on business use of home. Disaster Relief (COVID-19, Wildfires, Straight-line Winds) Free-File All Oregon taxpayers prepar- ing their own returns can file electronically at no cost using Oregon’s free fillable forms. There are many free or low-cost preparation options available for both federal and Oregon tax returns. Some software compa- nies offer free software use and e-filing for eligible taxpayers. Visit the Department of Reve- nue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services. Revenue Online The Department of Revenue continues to expand features available through Revenue On- line. Individuals can view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Rev- enue Online to learn more. To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make payments, visit www.oregon. gov/dor or email questions. dor@oregon.gov. You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech im- paired), we accept all relay calls. Get Results...List With Melody. To our valued readers: Help small businesses affected by coronavirus right now, including ours. Melody Beaudro Principal Broker 541 991-2151 Shoreline Dr #131 – Wonderful ocean views on buildable land in the Kla-Ha-Nee development. A private gated communi- ty of high-end oceanfront and ocean view hous- es. Walk to the ocean, breathe the fresh air, and take in the natural beauty. Utilities at the lot line; sep- tic approved. $275,000. #3138-20332598 Businesses of all sizes have been hit hard in this challenging new age of social distancing and self-isolation, but the blow has been catastrophic for small operations that rely on in-person transactions. There are many ways to help this holiday season, like purchasing gift certificates or memberships, and yet there are many service-type businesses that don’t have that option. As we look to a new year, we’re celebrating what connects us as a community, and what we can do to support our local businesses! THAT’S WHY WE CREATED THE SUPPORT LOCAL TOGETHER CAMPAIGN. The Support Local Together campaign will help local businesses who have to choose between promoting their business and paying the electric bill. It will also help support the Siuslaw News, who has seen a strong decrease in advertising revenue, but an increase in readership. 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 SWANSON’S PEST MANAGEMENT IT DOES TWO THINGS. 1. Funds advertising dollars for local businesses Your financial support will go directly to fund advertising that our local businesses need to stay top of mind. INSPECT – CORRECT – PROTECT SUSTAINED PEST MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS SOME OF THE PESTS THAT WE TREAT: 2. Supports local journalism By becoming a supporting member, you are helping to replace some of the advertising revenue the Siuslaw News has lost over the past ten months, due to the pandemic. ANTS • COCKROACHES • FLEAS • RODENTS BIRDS • BEDBUGS • STORED PRODUCTS PESTS BEES/WASPS • GOPHERS 541-997-4027 1-800-622-8993 HERE IS HOW TO SUPPORT: • Call 541-902-3524 • Make a donation of your choosing. • Choose a specific local business that you would like the advertising credit to go to, or leave that blank and we will designate it to a business we know needs help. Visit our Website: www.swansonspm.com “Since 1983” Our community is small but generous and we recognize there are many great organizations, like ours, that could use your help. We believe the vast majority of our readers have always shared our view of the value and necessity of a strong local media and are willing to provide support Yes, I would like to become a 2020/21 Support Local Together Sponsor equal to two or three cups of Call 541-902-3524 coffee a month to secure its Mail sponsorship form to: Siuslaw News Supporter future. PO Box 10 Florence Oregon 97439 $20 $50 $100 Other Amount _______ Name __________________________________________________________ S Address ________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Phone__________________Email ___________________________________ INATE US M F BEST O E Jenna Bartlett Publisher jbartlett@thesiuslawnews.com 541-902-3524 $10 NO Thank you in advance for doing your share to secure a strong local economy in the community we are proud to serve. Check Credit Card F LO E N C R Name on Card:______________________Expiration date:_______________ Number:_______________________________________________________ Billing Zip Code: _____________ 3 Digit Security Code:_________________ SIUSLAW NEWS UNITY WITH OUR COMMUNITY Do you have a specific business you would like to sponsor: List here: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ We will send a gift card to the business(es) of your choice with your name. If would like to remain anonymous please check here. *This sponsorship is not tax deductible. TheSiuslawNews.com
