La Voz January 2020 English

FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N

Voice of the Fields California

January 2020

FREE

Volume 30, Number 1

TA X INFORM ATION

Tackle Your 2019 Taxes

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s discussed in last month’s issue, tax season begins for individual tax return filers on January 27, 2020. If you want to get a jumpstart on filing, the IRS and its private-sector partners created a free tax software —Free File—that will be available on January 10. If you make $69,000 or less every year, you qualify to use this service to file electronically and receive your refund for free. The IRS recommends that you file electronically in order to receive prompts about any errors or missing information on your tax returns.

For additional help filing your 2019 taxes, there are volunteers who can walk you through the process at no cost.

To find a volunteer at a community site near you, please visit this link: www.irs.gov/ individuals/free-tax-returnpreparation-for-you-by-volunteers. Website information and volunteer services are available in English and Spanish.

You can also opt for a tax preparation service in which certified accountants and tax preparers will file your taxes for you at a fee they

determine. In order to ensure that you’re using a reputable tax preparation service, visit the following link to check the credentials and reputation of tax professionals near you: www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/

choosing-a-tax-professional.

The IRS website is a great tool for any additional questions or concerns that you may have. Visit the IRS Services Guide to find answers and resources to common questions in English. Visit the following link to access the guide: www.irs.gov/pub/ irs-pdf/p5136.pdf. For information in English and Spanish, please visit: www.irs.gov/help/telephoneassistance. To speak with an IRS professional directly, use the telephone number (800) 829-4933.

As a reminder, the December 2019 issue of La Voz provided a directory of California IRS offices if you prefer to ask your questions in person.

Please reference that issue for local office contact information or visit the following link to find an office near you and make an appointment: apps.irs.gov/app/officeLocator/index.jsp.

TA X INFORM ATION

Estimated Tax Payments and Using the IRS Withholding Estimator

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stimated tax payments are for those who receive income from alternate sources such as interest, dividends, alimony, self-employment income, capital gains, and prizes and awards. These payments are also for those who’s income tax withholdings from salaries or pensions are not enough. For more information on whether you should be paying estimated tax payment, visit www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes.

If you should be paying estimated tax payments, the fourth quarter payment was due January 15, 2020. Check to see if your 2019 federal tax income withholding is expected to fall short of your tax liability for the year using the Tax Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov. The Tax Withholding Calculator makes sure that you don’t have too much or too little tax withheld from your wages. Too few withholdings may result in an additional tax bill or penalty during the 2020 tax season, and too many withholdings means that you receive less money at the end of the 2020 tax season. The Tax Withholding Calculator will ask for your estimated 2019 income, number of children to

be claimed for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as any additional items that will affect your 2019 taxes. Most importantly, the tool will help you determine if you should: n Complete a new Form W-4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate and submit it to your employer n Complete a new Form W-4P Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments and submit it to your payer n Make additional or estimated tax payments to the IRS before the end of the year In order to prepare for your estimation, spend some time collecting 2019 income infor-

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mation such as pay stubs and documents from all sources of income: pensions, annuities, Social Security benefits and selfemployment monies. A copy of your 2018 federal tax return will also help you determine your 2019 income.

It’s important to note that the withholding calculation tool does not ask for any personal identification information such as your name, address, bank account information, etc. The tool is essentially an anonymous calculator that calculates income and child dependents for your own personal knowledge. The IRS does not keep a record of information entered into the calculator.

Wednesday February 26 4pm

KINC ADE FIRE INFORM ATION & RESOURCES

Rebuilding Life After the Kincade Fire

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n the aftermath of a natural disaster, everyday necessities like food, shelter, and paying monthly bills become huge challenges. The Kincade Fire posed equally devastating challenges for families across Sonoma County. With emergency shelters closed, job sites uninhabited, and homes destroyed, the prospect of rebuilding is extremely overwhelming. However, there are options available to you and the ones you love. It’s important to not only consider resources that will help rebuild and renew right now, but also prepare for another wildfire or natural disaster in the future.

ing link to determine locations and delivery options near you through the Redwood Empire Food Bank: getfood.refb.org.

For a complete list of all Sonoma County food banks and services, visit the following link: www.sonomacountygazette. com/sonoma-county-events/ food-pantry-programs-in-sonoma-county.

Meal Assistance Sonoma County food banks provide fresh produce, food, and hot meals to thousands of people in the area at no cost.

Deliveries are made throughout the community about every two weeks, and are available at specific locations multiple days per week. Visit the follow-

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Wage and Rental Assistance Corazon Healdsburg: This local organization provides financial assistance and replacement items to those affected by the Kincade Fire. Fill out an application, in English or Spanish, to receive support.

To submit an application in person, visit the Healdsburg Community Center at 1557 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA. To submit an application online, use the following links for an application in English or Spanish.

English: a6a6ba95-556d4581-bde6-ae7aa9b9ce64. filesusr.com/ugd/c672e1_ c71f9470776944fd99f5918a70e56fb3.pdf

Spanish: a6a6ba95-556d4581-bde6-ae7aa9b9ce64. filesusr.com/ugd/96a956_2d7 db788295d43f9ad322534297 e451d.pdf Once you’ve completed an application, email it to info@ corazonhealdsburg.org or submit it through a Facebook message at facebook.com/corazonhealdsburg.

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Mental Health Assistance Traumatic events such as wildfires, and the subsequent losses suffered as a result, take a huge toll on people’s mental health and stability. If you or your family are experiencing emotional distress and psychological devastation, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the free help and services in your community. For tips on how to help yourself and your family, visit the following links for information in English and Spanish. English: www. apa.org/helpcenter/wildfire.

Spanish: www.apa.org/centrodeapoyo/incendios.

For additional help, MySonomaStrong.com offers a free

KINC ADE FIRE INFORM ATION & RESOURCES Rebuilding

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online program to survivors of the Kincade Fire by teaching individuals and families coping techniques and stress management skills. The website resources are available in English and Spanish. Additional services also include telephone helplines where people can speak with counselors and get connected to additional mental health services.

24-Hour Resources Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline: (800) 985-5990 Staffed by trained trauma counselors, specific to fire-related disasters.

24-hour Mental Health Crisis Services: (707) 576-8181 24-hour Suicide Prevention Hotline: (855) 587-6373 Daytime Numbers National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mental Health Support Warmline: (866) 9606264 Bilingual support.

In addition to the organizations mentioned above, check with your local church to deter-

mine if there are any services available there. Many churches are offering wage and rent assistance, free food, and mental health services to the local community affected by the fires.

Preparing for the Future Going forward, it’s important to prepare yourself and your family for another natural disaster or wildfire. With wildfire risks raising every year in California, there are steps that you and your family can take to ensure that you have the tools you need to survive a disaster.

Use the checklist on page 5 for recommendations from the American Red Cross. We recommend posting this checklist somewhere in your home to remind yourself and family members of the items you need available at all times.

Be sure to store your kit in a designated place that is easily accessible and can be grabbed quickly in the event of an emergency. It’s also important that all of your family members know where the kit is kept. If possible, consider storing separate sur-

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vival items at work and in your vehicle just in case an emergency warning alert occurs when you are away from home.

Your Right to Clean Air at Work As California wildfires continue to destroy homes, businesses, and landscapes, job sites are not always a safe environment to work. It’s important to know your rights and protections as an employee to breathe clean air and work in a smoke-free environment. On July 18, 2019, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) adopted an emergency regulation to establish clean air rules for employees near wildfires. The recent regulation requires that employers determine air quality standards at the beginning of each shift and regularly check the Air Quality Index (API) in regions that workers are present. If the API reaches below 150, employers are required to relocate work to a safer outdoor location, or provide an indoor location with Continued on page 6

Survival Kit Supplies Be sure to store your kit in a designated place that is easily accessible and can be grabbed quickly in the event of an emergency. It should include: Cash Medications 7-day supply Cell phones with chargers Family/emergency contact information Copies of personal documents Medication and medical information, passports, birth certificates, proof of address, etc.

Maps of the area Flashlight Multipurpose tool like a Swiss Army Knife

Each family member should also have a bin with: Water One gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home) Food Non-perishable, easy to prepare items (3day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home) Sanitation and personal hygiene items Clothing & Bedding of choice

Also consider:

Pet Food if you have pets. radio battery-powered or hand-crank Extra batteries Family first aid kit

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TA X INFORM ATION

Gig Economy Tax Center Information

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he IRS website recently created a Gig Economy Tax Center to help taxpayers navigate their taxes in the gig economy business space.

These types of business include services like ride-sharing and home rentals and are typically referred to as sharing, on-demand or access economy businesses.

If you are providing car rides or renting a spare bedroom in your home for payment, consult the Gig Economy Tax Center to ensure that you’re complying with IRS regulations. Income from these types of sources can

be tricky to report on your tax returns because you don’t receive a W-2 form or another tax document to verify income with the IRS. The Gig Economy Tax Center is designed to answer any questions that you may have about

Rebuilding

confidential complaint via telephone or email with the local Cal/OSHA district office. You can find your local office’s contact information and complaint instructions online in English or Spanish. English: www.dir. ca.gov/dosh/Complaint.htm.

Spanish: www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ Spanish/Complaint.htm. Employees with work-related questions or complaints can also contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

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clean air. If alternative locations are not feasible for the employer, they are required to provide: 1) respirators, such as N95 masks for voluntary use, and 2) training on the risks of wildfire smoke, how to use a respirator, and employee rights under the regulation.

If you suspect that your employer is not following Cal/ OSHA health and safety requirements, workers can file a

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reporting taxable income within the sharing service space. Visit the following link for information in English: www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center.

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