FEDINFO E-Letter
Issue 2009-1
Welcome to the January/February 2009 edition of the Federal Citizen Information Center's (FCIC) FEDINFO E-letter! These subscription e-letters from Pueblo are sent six times a year with helpful updates, practical information, and special offers to make your life a little easier. You can always find the latest information on our family of websites: Pueblo.gsa.gov, USA.gov, ConsumerAction.gov, Kids.gov, and GovGab.gov.
This issue includes:
- DTV Transition Update
- Tax Tips for 2008 Filings
- Credit Card Reform on the Way
- Tools for Getting the Most for Your Money
- Kids’ Vaccine Schedules Updated
- Resolution Solutions
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For the many people who are still unclear about what they need to do to prepare for the Digital TV conversion, which occurs on Feb. 17, here’s a simple explanation:
- Do you have a digital TV?
Yes: Do nothing. You’re all set.
No: Go to #2.
- Do you have cable or satellite TV service?
Yes: You most likely need to do nothing, but check with your service provider to be sure.
No: Go to #3.
- Do you use rabbit ears or an outside antenna for your TV reception?
Yes: You need to get a converter box now! Boxes are available in retail stores for about $40 to $70. You can put your name on a waiting list for a converter box coupon for $40 off up to 2 converter boxes per household. However, you may not receive your coupon in time for the transition.
No: See #1 and #2.
That’s it in a nutshell, but if you want to read more, check out these sites:
- FCC DTV Fact Sheets: Includes fact sheets to help with purchasing, setting up and trouble-shooting your converter box.
- Making the Digital TV Switch
- Digital TV Switch for Analog Cable and Low Power TV Stations
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W-2s will be arriving soon, and it’s not too late to take advantage of many of the tax tips from the IRS. Here are some highlights:
- Recovery Rebate Credit: People who did not qualify for the 2008 economic stimulus payment (tax rebate) or didn’t receive the maximum amount may be eligible for a recovery rebate credit when they file their 2008 return.
- Real Estate Tax Deduction: You can get a tax deduction for real estate taxes even if you don’t itemize. You can deduct up to $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers.
- Tuition and Fees Deduction: You may be able to deduct up to $4,000 for tuition and fees paid for yourself or your dependents, without itemizing.
- New Children: Your new child, born or adopted in 2008, will count as a dependent on your return if you’ve gotten the child a social security number.
- Electronic Filing/Direct Deposit of Refunds: If you use electronic filing (e-file) and direct deposit, you may receive your refund in as little as 10 days.
For an overview of tax filing, check out “Doing Your Taxes.” For in-depth guidance, take a look at this comprehensive tax guide available for free at IRS.gov.
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Credit card companies face major restrictions in how they do business under regulations that go into effect July 1, 2010. The new rules forbid them from, among other things:
- raising interest rates on existing account balances;
- charging late fees if the borrower has not been given a reasonable amount of time to pay;
- applying all payments to the balances with the lowest interest rates;
- computing interest through unfair practices such as the “two-cycle” billing method.
You can read more about the new rules in this Federal Reserve Board press release.
There are things you can do now to take control of your credit card accounts and credit. Check out these tips to get the most from your credit card and tips to improve your credit score. Find more good advice in Taking Charge of Your Credit Cards, in the booklet 51 Ways to Save Hundreds on Loans and Credit Cards.
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Tools for Getting the Most for Your Money
“Nuts and Bolts—Tools for Today’s Economy” is the theme of this year’s National Consumer Protection Week, March 1-7, which aims to create savvy consumers. Partner organizations (including the Federal Citizen Information Center) provide tips on topics ranging from how to get a free credit report to how to deal with debt, from how to deter and detect identity theft to how to avoid home and auto repair scams, and how to file a consumer complaint with the appropriate authorities.
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Kids’ Vaccine Schedules Updated 
Have your kids had all their vaccines for their age? It’s hard to keep track of them, especially when the recommendations change. The Centers for Disease Control, which just released its 2009 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedules, provides several tools to help you understand and track your kids’ vaccines.
The Instant Childhood Immunization Scheduler lets you enter the birth date of a child 6 years old or younger to get a chart listing all vaccines your child should have received. The Parents Guide to Childhood Immunizations introduces parents to the 14 childhood diseases and the 10 vaccines aimed at keeping them at bay. Vaccine Safety addresses concerns about the safety of childhood immunizations.
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It wouldn’t be January without New Year’s resolutions. Here, a smattering of government resources to help you keep some of the more popular ones:
Diet and Exercise
- Fitness.gov
- Smallstep.gov
- Weight Control Information Network
- Be Active Your Way: A Guide for Adults
- The Road to a Healthy Life
- Eating Well as We Age
- Eating for a Healthy Heart
Quitting Smoking
Organization
- Taming the Paper Jungle in 2009
- Where to Write for Vital Records
- Don’t Put Off a Personal Files Check-Up
Money Management
- MyMoney.gov
- Get the Facts on Saving and Investing
- Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future
- Kids and the Economy
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