Local, experienced and accurate
INCOME TAX PREPARATION
TL
Roe, P.C.
Certified Public Accountant
To schedule call
439-1517
terrell@tlroe.com
449 Delaware Avenue, Delmar (Next to Town Hall)
In 2015, Various Tax Benefits Increase Due to Inflation Adjustments IR-2014-104, Oct. 30, 2014
WASHINGTON — For tax year 2015, the Internal Revenue Service announced today annual inflation adjustments for more than 40 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules, and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2014-61 provides details about these annual adjustments. The tax items for tax year 2015 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts •The tax rate of 39.6 percent affects singles whose income exceeds $413,200 ($464,850 for married taxpayers filing a joint return), up from $406,750 and $457,600, respectively. The other marginal rates – 10, 15, 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent – and the related income tax thresholds are described in the revenue procedure. •The standard deduction rises to $6,300 for singles and married persons filing separate returns and $12,600 for married couples filing jointly, up from $6,200 and $12,400, respectively, for tax year 2014. The standard deduction for heads of household rises to $9,250, up from $9,100. •The limitation for itemized deductions to be claimed on tax year 2015 returns of individuals begins with incomes of $258,250 or more ($309,900 for married couples filing jointly). •The personal exemption for tax year 2015 rises to $4,000, up from the 2014 exemption of $3,950. However, the exemption is subject to a phaseout that begins with adjusted gross incomes of
$258,250 ($309,900 for married couples filing jointly). It phases out completely at $380,750 ($432,400 for married couples filing jointly.) •The Alternative Minimum Tax exemption amount for tax year 2015 is $53,600 ($83,400, for married couples filing jointly). The 2014 exemption amount was $52,800 ($82,100 for married couples filing jointly). •The 2015 maximum Earned Income Credit amount is $6,242 for taxpayers filing jointly who have 3 or more qualifying children, up from a total of $6,143 for tax year 2014. The revenue procedure has a table providing maximum credit amounts for other categories, income thresholds and phaseouts. •Estates of decedents who die during 2015 have a basic exclusion amount of $5,430,000, up from a total of $5,340,000 for estates of decedents who died in 2014. •For 2015, the exclusion from tax on a gift to a spouse who is not a U.S. citizen is $147,000, up from $145,000 for 2014. •For 2015, the foreign earned income exclusion breaks the six-figure mark, rising to $100,800, up from $99,200 for 2014. •The annual exclusion for gifts remains at $14,000 for 2015. •The annual dollar limit on employee contributions to employer-sponsored healthcare flexible spending arrangements (FSA) rises to $2,550, up $50 dollars from the amount for 2014. •Under the small business health care tax credit, the maximum credit is phased out based on the employer’s number of full-time equivalent employees in excess of 10 and the employer’s average annual wages in excess of $25,800 for tax year 2015, up from $25,400 for 2014.
Online at www.ourtownebethlehem.com
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Thanks Joe
Joseph Schuyler
We remember with great admiration and respect our friend and neighbor Delmar photographer Joseph Schuyler. To honor his passing this past month, we are proud to once again publish his iconic photograph of the first Our Towne Thanksgiving Eve Fireworks show. Even though weather cancelled this past year’s fireworks, Joe’s image lives on to remind us of when our town shines best!
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Then
& Now Turnpikes and Plank Roads By Susan E. Leath The tollgate the Albany Rensselearville and Schoharie Plank Road was located near the Slingerlands Printing Company on today’s New Scotland Road. It was removed in 1908.
Cover: One tollgate of the Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike straddled Pearl Street near where Kenwood Road and Old south Pearl Street come into Pearl Street today. This photo was taken in the late 1890s and show a view looking south towards Bethlehem.
It is safe to say that the state of the roads has always been of concern to Bethlehem’s residents. 220 years ago at Bethlehem’s first town meeting on April 10, 1794 three commissioners of the Highways were chosen, George Hogan, John Burnside and Teunis Houghtelin along with 20 Overseers of the Highways. Indeed, at that first town meeting, only three resolutions are recorded. One set the next town meeting for the following year. The other two reflect the rural nature of the town and residents concern for safe travels on the roads. “The following resolutions was likewise voted at the same time for the more orderly keeping of cattle. 1st That no stallion or stallions or unruly cattle shall be allowed to run at large in the public highways. 2nd That no swine shall be allowed to run at large in the public highways.” Strict records were kept about the “doings” of the Commissioners of the Highways. They certified that
proposed roads were “necessary and proper” or, less often, “denied and refused” a proposed highway. Surveys in links and chains that reference property owners, fences and trees were recorded. Here’s one from May 17, 1795 “laying out a road beginning at the Omsgriethan road at old John Haswells when the road turns to John Leonards to and along a northwesterly course to Timothy Bussing, Jr. crossing the school road and saw mill road below the saw mill of Gansevoort.” In those days, it was expected that roads would be maintained by the owners of the property that the road passes through. The Overseers of the Highway had specific roads they had charge of. For example, in 1775 Amos Jones was the overseer of the road from “Nicolas Hallenback until Renselars Mill Road.” Figuring out exactly where these roads were is a huge challenge. More easily mapped are the toll and plank roads that were laid out in Bethlehem. The Delaware Turnpike, today’s Delaware Avenue, chartered in 1805, is the easiest as the course of the road has not changed. The Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike Road was charted in 1804 and followed a path from today’s South
In the modern view, New Scotland Road where the Rensselearville and Schoharie Plank Road tollgate was situated, slopes down to the railroad underpass. The Toll gate Restaurant is on the left.
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’s
Trish Pix Tattered Pages Used Books
“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” John Boswell Dear Avid Readers… February, a month, of wind-chill, ice, for-boding gloom and screaming blue sky days. It is not an easy month to describe by its weather, for in the great Northeast, it could be anything! However, it is the shortest month, filled with recognized dates & some not so familiar celebrations. By this time of the year, celebrating may bring some cheeriness to an otherwise glum month. If you need a reason to celebrate, here are some reasons: Feb. 2 Ground Hog’s Day Hey, they even dress up in formal attire out on Gobbler’s Knob as they await Punxsutawney Phil! When I lived in suburban Philadelphia, the local radio stations carried live broadcasts and live TV broke for the ceremony! Feb. 3 Laugh & Grow Rich day…laughter is the best medicine. Spread the laughter…spread the sunshine! Feb. 8 Boy Scout’s Day formed February 8, 1910! Proud tradition alive today! Feb. 12 Lost Penny Day, perhaps a substitute for Abraham Lincoln’s birthday! Collect those pennies this year and turn them over to a charity, a special cause or a wonderful child in your life. You can work on making a consecutive timeline of pennies together. Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day, or as I was raised, St. Valentine’s Day. Love the history behind the tradition, not so much the feeling of obligation behind this celebration! I loved the preparation time in the classroom as a teacher, but always held my breath for that poor child who might not be recognized in a kind way! Feb. 16 President’s Day Lincoln & Washington combined with the other President’s. For most a holiday, come shop at Tattered Pages, I’ll be open 10-5! Feb. 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day coincides with Mardi Gras this year! Or as we called it at Queen of Peace School in Ardsley, PA: Donut Day!!! We did the Mummer strut (which is a parade type dance) to O’Dem Golden Slippers and then ate yummy donuts and fried dough! Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent (at least it is after Valentine’s Day this year…because I always give up chocolate during Lent) where I prefer to try and do charitable works rather than giving up something…though I always give up chocolate! Feb.22 Be Humble Day…on George Washington’s actual date of birth. Feb. 27 Polar Bear Day…who knew they have a whole day dedicated to them? Not me! I wonder if there is a Dachshund Day? Who am I kidding…everyday is celebrate Seamus Day! I often think of February as a “hump day” kind of month. Sorry if it is a month of your birth, but it always seems to me like the long pause before March! (Though we have come to know that the March snowfall has been incredible these last years.) In honor of the celebration of all things Romance and Presidential, I will be having a few events to celebrate here in the shop! All of February all books in the Romance section and History section will be an additional 10% off…even if you already get the benefit of the 22% off trade credits! On Saturday, February 6th, I will be hosting another 26
Jewelry Extravaganza at the shop from 11-4. Ms. Dana Flint will be selling her exquisite, one of a kind, handcrafted earrings! We had 2 very successful events, such as this, in December. We will be serving tea & homemade cookies during our sale. There will be other items for sale as well as Valentine’s Day cards for $1. Dana has lovely gift boxes for your earring purchases. On this day I will be offering the special of an additional 10% off on all book purchases over $10, from any section. For those of you who might be looking to add to your trade credit account, or open one, remember no more than 6 books at a time, unless you pre-arrange with me. They must be free of odor, dirt, dust and hardcovers must have dustjackets unless they are self-explanatory. Remember I also take DVDs for trade credits. I am always looking for books from these authors: Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Harlen Coben, Carl Hiaasen, Laura Ingalls Wilder, George RR Martin, Kristin Hannah, Elin Hildebrand, Philippa Gregory, Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson and Erik Larson. Here at Tattered Pages Used Books: most books are in next to new condition and all are reduced in price (not garage sale or flea market prices but much less than the big box store prices.) and many compete with what you might pay online for a book. When you buy here, though, you can see the condition of the book unlike buying online. I will also order a book for you if you do not wish to do so yourself, for a small fee. I will put lists of books on reserve for you…when they come in, call you and hold the book for your pick up. I have hundreds of cookbooks, self-help, home improvement and crafting/ hobby books here. These past weeks I finished a four book series by author, Tahereh Mafi. This young adult, dystopian fiction series was fast paced, character driven and very similar in tone to the Divergent Series. I have enjoyed reading this because as I finished each book I then contacted an avid reader, Lauren, who would then come pick up the next book for herself. Sharing reading pleasure is quite motivating. I love to discuss and share that experience. Any reading discussion groups should check with me to see what I might have in my inventory. Just a reminder, because of my situation with my Darlin’ Dad now living in a nursing/rehab facility, I never know when I might be called away. I apologize in advance if you were to arrive and see a sign posted on the door, so, if you live a distance and are coming here, you can always check my facebook page or call ahead to see if I have had to close the shop. Until next month…fight the winter blahs with a good book! Though all of my books may not be new…they could be new to you! Trish, Seamus & Linda Patricia Eldridge is the manager/owner of Tattered Pages found in the Glenmont Center Square, 365 Feura Bush Rd, Glenmont #447-9910 Tattered Pages, LLC on Facebook, Open M,T,W 10-5, Th. 10-6, Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-4
ACUPUNCTURE Effective treatment for pain, stress and much more.
Donna Reynolds, Lic. Ac.
Since 1986
278 Delaware Ave. | Delmar | 518.478.9217
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