There's great news this year regarding your old stimulus! If you did not receive the full stimulus last year, you may be able to get the remainder of it by filing your 2008 return, if your tax liability has increased over last year or if you had a child born in 2008.
Another new break for taxpayers is that a person who normally does not itemize deductions can write off their property tax without itemizing.
The Joplin and Pineville VITA tax preparation sites can assist with returns on individuals and families who have earned up to $45,000. Economic Security Corporation's Neosho site uses the following guideline for income tax preparation assistance:
Family of 1 can make up to $13,000 annual income
Family of 2 can make up to $17,500
Family of 3 can make up to $22,000
Family of 4 can make up to $26,500
Family of 5 can make up to $31,000
Family of 6 can make up to $35,500
Family of 7 can make up to $40,000
Family of 8 can make up to $44,500
For assistance, please visit your local VITA location during the following hours of operation:
Neosho, ESC Office:
MWF from 8am-5pm
T & Th 10am-7pm
By Appointment Only, Call 451-2206 ext. 101
Pineville American Legion
Wed. from 1-7pm
Joplin, Northpark Mall
(tentative hours)
MTWF from 9am-4pm
Th from 9am-7pm
Life Skills Classes Available...
ESC's Life Skills Training continues to be successful and the Community Development division is excited to offer several more opportunities to join the class this month.
These classes help clients with skills such as budgeting, conserving energy and finding employment. Anyone can attend the trainings, but those wishing to attend must enroll in advance by contacting one of the following staff members: Joanna Watson, 417-781-0352 Sally McAffrey, 417-781-0352 Marcia Denny, 417-845-6011 Sharon Havens, 417-451-2206.
February 5th-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
February 11th-
NEOSHO: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
February 12th-
JOPLIN: Food /Energy Savings from 1:00-5:00
February 19-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
Feburary 25th-
JOPLIN: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
Start the year off right!
It's a new year and when making resolutions, make one to eat healthier. Healthy eating meets our bodies' nutritional needs, helps prevent diseases, makes us feel better, and helps manage our weight. Instead of putting yourself on a diet that may not last, use these tips to make better choices throughout the year. Small changes can lead to big results.
Make small changes such as substituting the potato chips in your lunch with carrot sticks.
Drink more water, and enjoy more fruits and vegetables.
Watch your portions. For example: the portion of meat in your meal should be the size of a deck of cards, and an appropriate serving of pasta is one-half cup.
When eating out, ask for a to-go box at the beginning of your meal and put half of it away to take home for lunch the next day.
Substitute mustard for mayonnaise on your sandwich.
Choose grilled foods instead of fried.
Eat regular meals; when we skip a meal and are really hungry, we are more likely to make poor choices for snacks such as grabbing a candy bar.
Watch what you drink. Many hidden calories are found in beverages such as lattes, sodas and even juices.
Make sure your plate has at least four colors (colored M&Ms don't count); a meal of grilled chicken (brown), asparagus (green), potatoes (white), and cranberry juice (red) provides balanced nutrients.
Eat an apple on the way home from work to avoid walking in the door and snacking while you make or wait for dinner.
Allow yourself an occasional treat. Depriving yourself of a slice of cake you really enjoy isn't the answer; just make healthier choices with your next meal.
Is there anything interesting going on in your department that you would like to share with our staff, board members and supporters? To have your information included in an upcoming issue of News from ESC, please contact Andrea Osiek at aosiek@escswa.org.
Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area (ESC) is a private non-profit Community Action Agency, which was created in October 1965 to serve the needs of low-income individuals and families. The mission of the agency is "to help families currently caught in poverty to find a way out, and to work in our communities to prevent the conditions of poverty from affecting future generations."
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