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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 | 7A HONOR from page 1A The show was produced by Frances Klippel and the Florence Bahá’í community. It presented a brief glimpse into the Black experience in Oregon and how national debates about race can impact life in Florence. During the program, the cur- rent state of race relations was reflected in presentations by four individuals with unique perspec- tives on race in America. The broadcast began with Florence resident Angela Apo- daca reading from the letters of Leticia Carson, the only African American woman to receive land in Oregon through the Home- stead Acts —a series of land grants that were offered from 1862- 1916 to offer free land to any adult who had never taken up arms against the United States during the Civil War. The 1866 Act specifically included Black Americans among those eligible to apply for land. The letters were drawn from the archives of the New York Historical Center for Woman’s History and the Oregon Black Pi- oneers Museum and are available to the public. Carson’s struggles to overcome the challenges of gender accep- tance were poignantly read by Apodaca, who finished her seg- ment of the show by reading a poem dedicated to her grandfa- ther and ancestral lineage. Next during the broadcast, coastal residents and siblings Robert Montgomery and Annis Cassells talked about “Enough: Say Their Names,” a book they authored with a focus on the African American expe- rience. Montgomer y said the book took shape after the unrest fol- lowing the racial upheaval of last summer. He discussed the seven authors that co-authored the book and encouraged listeners to check out the title online. “This book was inspired and motivated after the death of George Floyd. … There were sev- en of us that worked on this proj- ect and this book, in my opinion, represents those who have died,” Montgomery said. “We are the ones left behind to make a change and a difference for our children and our grandchildren. It was meant to be a starting place for people to have a difficult conver- sations, for people that want to be awake and understand what is going on and who want to take part in the change that is going on.” Cassells and Montgomery then read excerpts from the work, with both selecting poems written as tributes to civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis, “Good Trouble” and “Anthem of the People.” Lewis died in July 2020 after serving for 17 terms in the rep- resenting Georgia’s 5th Congres- sional District. He was one of the most influential civil rights leaders of his time and continues to inspire social justice activists around the world. Education is central to ad- vancement and improvement within any culture, and this has certainly been one result of the racial tumult shaking America over the last year. The result has been more people than ever be- fore becoming engaged in learn- ing about our collective racial history. All of the KXCR speak- ers, and the in- dividuals who inspired them, counted on s elf-education and the educa- tion of others to improve their own conditions and, ultimately, the downtrodden. Building on this, the program concluded with music as vocal- ist Maree Beers performed an a cappella version of “Lift every voice,” a song written for Abra- ham Lincoln. Beers shared her personal lin- eage, which is mixed, and spoke of her home and her affinity for music and song. “I’m just a local Florence gal, and I take a lot of pride in my community here,” she said. “I am also a mother, a musician and I like to work with kids and the- ater.” Her stirring rendition was a fitting way to end the KXCR broadcast as “Lift every Voice” has been described, by Beers and others, as the “Black National Anthem.” Among it’s lyrics: “Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won.” Maya Angelou, who wrote some of the most critically ac- claimed books on the Black ex- perience, including “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “And Still I Rise,” once said the goal was not to recognize one or another history as correct but to think about America in a much more integrated and united way. “Won’t it be wonderful when Black history and Native Amer- ican history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book — Just U.S. histo- ry,” Angelou wrote. For more information about Black History Month, visit www. africanamericanhistorymonth. gov. 2021 STATE, FEDERAL TAX SEASON NOW OPEN The Oregon Department of Revenue began process- ing state income tax returns on Feb. 12, the same day the IRS began processing feder- al returns. Although some taxpayers have already sub- mitted their returns, pro- cessing doesn’t start until the tax season officially be- gins. Returns will be processed in the order they are re- ceived. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after Feb- ruary 16. The fastest way for a taxpayer to get a refund is by e-filing. Taxpayers who e-file returns and request refunds via direct deposit receive their refund soon- er, on average, than those who file paper returns and request refund checks. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and al- lows 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, unem- ployment benefits, and fed- eral tax law changes, there may be impacts to what taxpayers file on their Or- egon income tax returns. Here are some important topics and information for Oregon personal income tax filers. Stimulus Payments Economic Impact Pay- ments received during 2020 and early 2021 may impact the amount of fed- eral tax subtraction that can 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 to submit Form 1040WH to the Oregon Employment Department to authorize withholding. es for employees through 2025. Visit the IRS for more information on business use of home. Oregon Withholding The Department of Rev- enue has its own Form OR- W-4. Individuals should review their withholding to determine if changes are Unemployment Benefits necessary for tax year 2021. Unemployment bene- A calculator is available to fits are taxable to Oregon. help ensure withholding Funds received through the amounts are correct. Pandemic Unemployment Business Use of Home Assistance program are also Oregon is automatically taxable to Oregon. Unlike W-2 wages, unemployment tied to changes made to tax- benefits do not automati- able income under the Tax cally have amounts with- Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). held to pay taxes at the end Employees who receive a of the year. Individuals who paycheck or a W-2 exclu- did not elect to have with- sively from an employer are holding on their unemploy- not eligible for the business ment may see an increased use of home deduction, even if they are currently tax bill. For individuals still re- working from home. Along ceiving unemployment with other changes, the benefits in 2021, the de- TCJA suspended the use of partment urges recipients employee business expens- Disaster Relief The Department of Rev- enue recognizes not all in- dividuals will be prepared to pay their taxes in full this year. The department is of- fering penalty waiver relief for individuals impacted by COVID-19, wildfires, or straight-line winds. To learn more, visit Revenue’s tax relief options webpage. year. Individuals should reduce the amount of fed- eral tax paid in 2020 by the payments received to deter- mine the amount of federal tax subtraction they are al- lowed. The federal tax sub- traction is limited to $6,950 (or $3,475 if married filing separately). Free-File All Oregon taxpayers preparing their own returns can file electronically at no cost using Oregon’s free fill- able forms. There are many free or low-cost prepara- tion options available for both federal and Oregon tax returns. Some software companies offer free soft- ware use and e-filing for eligible taxpayers. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services. Revenue Online The Department of Rev- enue continues to expand features available through Revenue Online. Individu- als can view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make pay- ments, and submit ques- tions. Visit Revenue 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 Ore- gon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we ac- cept all relay calls. COVID-19 special enrollment health coverage period now open SALEM—Feb. 15 was the first day of a COVID-19 special enrollment peri- od, which lasts until May 15, 2021. This special en- rollment period will allow people throughout the United States, including Oregonians, who are look- ing for health coverage to shop at HealthCare.gov. The COVID-19 pan- demic has brought signifi- cant change to hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, who either lost their job or experienced a loss in income. As a result, these Oregonians may be newly eligible for financial help to purchase health insurance. Unlike a typical special en- rollment period, this en- rollment period is available to everyone, not just those who have experienced a life event. Until May 15, any per- son who is eligible to shop through the Marketplace may enroll in new cover- age or change their current plan. Insurance agents and community partner orga- nizations throughout the state are available to help people apply for financial assistance and choose pri- vate plans. People can also browse plans and find out how much savings they are eligible for at Oregon- HealthCare.gov/Window- Shop. Oregonians who do not get health insurance through their job or a pro- gram such as the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare may qualify for help paying for 2021 coverage through the Oregon Health Insur- ance Marketplace. Even if people are temporarily uninsured or are currently enrolled in COBRA cov- erage, they can sign up for help to get health insur- ance for 2021. “The pandemic has made life uncertain for many Or- egonians. We want to help you find a way to control your finances,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insur- ance Marketplace. “Quality health coverage protects your financial future in the event that you get sick, injured, or something else unforeseen happens.” “It is true. The pandem- ic has proven that life is unpredictable. That can be scary when it comes to the health and financial security of your family,” said Amy Coven, commu- nications strategist for the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “Health cov- erage brings predictability to health needs that may arise, as well as a wealth of benefits to keep you healthy.” Individuals making $51,040 or less per year, and families of four mak- ing $104,800 or less, may Since 1983 Alva Bracey Broker Your goals are my top priority. Let’s get together! LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes • Shocks Alignments 4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 Call, Text or Email Cell: 541-505-1180 Alva@CBCoast.com 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. 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Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net get help paying for cov- erage. In 2020, more than seven in 10 Oregonians who chose plans through HealthCare.gov got finan- cial help for monthly pre- miums and out-of-pocket costs. These savings low- ered the average premium to just $145 per month. To apply, go to Oregon- HealthCare.gov until May 15 and answer a few Ore- gon-specific questions to get to the right applica- tion. You can also search the “get help” directory on OregonHealthCare.gov to find an insurance agent or community partner orga- nization to help complete the application and enroll. Insurance agents and community partners pro- vide local, one-on-one as- sistance at no charge to the client. This help is avail- able virtually and over the phone, as well as in person following safety protocols. The Oregon Health In- surance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health in- surance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or an- other program. The Mar- ketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov, and a division of the De- partment of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov. NOTICE We’re buying used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Any make or model, paid for or not. Please call today for quote. All quotes by appointment only. Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475