Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2004)
The INDEPENDENT, March 18, 2004 Page 5 Business Notes Tax tips on child care credit and using direct deposit for refunds Maximize your Child Faster Refunds Want to receive your Oregon Care Credit You could get a larger Ore gon refund this year if you qual ify for the working family child care credit. Starting this year, this credit for low-income families with child care expenses will be re fundable. This means that, if the credit is more than your tax, you will receive the difference as a refund. To claim the credit, you will need to fill out the new Oregon Schedule WFC, which will help you determine if you qualify. The new schedule also will help you calculate your credit. You must send in Schedule WFC with your Oregon tax return to receive the credit. The sched ule is included in your Oregon tax booklet or online at <www.dor.state.or.us>. tax refund more quickly and save a trip to the bank? Re questing direct deposit on your Oregon tax return means your refund will be deposited directly into your account at a bank or other financial institution that you designate. Direct deposit is secure and simple to use. Last year, over 384,000 Ore gon taxpayers used direct de posit. To request direct deposit, you’ll need to enter your ac count number and bank’s rout ing number on you Oregon tax return. You’ll find these num bers at the bottom of one of your checks, or contact your bank to get the numbers. The Oregon Department of Rev enue does not notify taxpayers when a deposit is made, so you will need to check your account six to eight weeks after filing your return to confirm receipt. If for some reason your di rect deposit is rejected by the bank, the department will send a check to the address on your tax return. For more information, visit <www.dora.state.or.us/tax> or contact the Oregon Department of Revenue at 503-378-4988 or 1-800-356-4222. April 1 deadline for selection of tax method for timber land owners April 1 is the deadline for owners of 10 to 5,000 acres of forestland to select one of two property tax methods created by the 2003 Oregon Legisla ture. The choice of method could affect the amount of property tax they will pay for 2004 and beyond. The two methods are: Forestland Program: All owners with more than two acres of forestland will be auto matically transferred to the new Forestland Program. Land is taxed at a special value based on the typical price paid for land that is managed to pro duce harvestable timber. No privilege tax is paid when the timber is harvested. Owners who decide to stay in the pro gram do not have to take any action. Small Tract Forestland Volunteer needed on surface mining panel The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is soliciting applicants for the Columbia County Surface Mining Com mittee. If interested, call the Board of Commissioners office at 503-397-4322 for more de tails. Applications must be re ceived by April 30, 2004. (STF) Option: Forestland own ers with at least 10 and fewer than 5,000 acres may opt out of the Forestland Program by choosing the STF Option. This option taxes forestland at 20 percent of the Forestland Pro gram’s special assessment val ue. The landowner pays a sev erance tax when the timber is harvested. Once a landowner chooses the STF Option, the property stays in this option un til the land is sold or no longer used as forestland. Completed applications must be returned to county as sessor’s offices by April 1 to qualify for the STF Option on 2004-05 property taxes. Applications for the STF Op tion (Form 150-390-001) are online at the Oregon Depart ment of Revenue’s Web site <www.dor.state.or.us/timber.ht ml> or from county assessors. The Department of Revenue’s Web site also includes tools to help forestland owners decide which method best fits their plans, including a schedule of landowner information ses sions. The Department of Revenue Timber Tax staff is available by telephone at 503-378-4988 or 1-800-356-4222 (Oregon only). Ready to purchase a car? Want to lower your current car payment? 4.92 5 YEAR FIXED RATE You’ve got somewhere to go. We’ll help you get there. Auto loans from U.S. Bank feature: • A $25 gas card with auto loan!** • No payments for 90 days, and ... • Great low rates!* To apply, see a U.S. Bank representative Vernonia Branch 503-429-6271 [TCbank Five Star Service Guaranteed 'M in im um $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 loan am ount and automatic payments trom a U S . .lank checking account required Interest rates range betw een 4 .3 9 -4 6 9 5 % depending upon state of origination 4 90% APR is available on new or used autos. 2 0 0 2 models and newer, with repayment term s up to 6 0 months Rates for longer term s and older vehicles are slightly higher Depending upon state of residence, Loan Fees up to $ 1 5 0 apply In the states of Washington and Oregon, Loan Fees are 1% of vehicle purchase price with a minimum Loan Fee of $ 1 0 0 Loan payment and Interest Rate will vary based on the loan amount, the term , and any fees For example, a $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 loan for 6 0 months at an interest rate of 4 3 9 % with a $ 1 2 5 processing fee will have an APR of 4 8 9 9 0 % and a monthly payment of $ 1 8 8 2 5 This offer cannot be com bined with any other discounts Offer is subject to credit qualifications Rates are sublect to change Some additional restrictions may apply installm ent loans are offered through U S . Bank National Association NO. O 200 4 U.S Bancorp. U.S Bank “ The Gas Card will be issued in the form of a U S Bank Visa Gift Card To qualify tor the U S Bank Visa Gift Card, the customer must apply and qualify tor a new or used auto loan by March 3 1 ,2 0 0 4 with loan closing by April 15. 2 0 0 4 Gift cards will be aw arded In Increm ents of $ 2 5 All gift cards will be mailed within 7 - 1 0 days of loan closing to the primary borrower's address M em ber FDIC
