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
