Urban Views Weekly January 13, 2016

Jan. 13, 2016

Scholar of the Week - Natasha Coleman

Dr. King’s Call for Service is Being Answered

Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Are you really committed?

This is the third in a series focused on the prerequisites for fundraising success.

Commitment is critical to successful fundraising. Without commitment, ideas and plans remain just that. Our experience has shown that the full commitment of the board of directors, CEO, staff, and volunteer leadership is key to fundraising success.

People who are committed embody the following characteristics. They understand how much money the organization wants to raise and what the funds will be used for. They believe the goal is achievable and believe in the organization’s leadership, integrity, and accountability. Committed leaders make their own financial gift and ask others to do so. They generate enthusiasm for fundraising and encourage others to join them. They understand where projected revenue will come from and what plans are in place if initial solicitations are not successful. When it comes to meetings, they come prepared and follow through on agreements and assignments. You can identify a committed leader by the way they share their creativity, resources, and problem solving skills to help advance fundraising.

While it may take time to cultivate and secure the full commitment of your organization’s key stakeholders, this step cannot be pushed aside. Take the time to meet individually with board members, major donors, partners and other stakeholders. Share your vision with them, let them know what it will take to make the vision a reality and ask for their support. Be prepared to answer questions and overcome objections. Always leave

enough time for everyone you speak with to fully understand and commit to your proposed fundraising goal. Don’t be surprised if this takes time, for it should.

Committing to a fundraising campaign is a big deal. Typically a lot of questions need to be answered before people – including board members – will commit.

After initial individual conversations have occurred, dedicate time during board meetings to discuss the proposed fundraising. An ideal conversation is one in which all participants grapple with the proposed fundraising initiative, ask questions, raise doubts, share strategies and ideas, and express enthusiasm. Time and open discussion are important.

You may want to schedule a retreat dedicated to the topic of fundraising.

Many organizations have such retreats once a year. Others will host a retreat when planning for a capital campaign or other fundraising initiative of special significance.

Of all the 18 prerequisites for fundraising success, this is the most important prerequisite — without full commitment, there is a greater potential for fundraising challenges.

Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 5-7 p.m.

(Inclement weather date: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016) Colonial Heights Courthouse 550 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a “Pardon Our Dust” public information meeting to discuss construction impacts and traffic management associated with the I-95 Temple Avenue Interchange Improvements design-build project, which includes the replacement of a signalized intersection with a roundabout. More info: i95templeimprovements.org The meeting will be held in an open house format, with general information presentations at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. VDOT, designbuild team members, City of Colonial Heights and Kroger representatives will answer questions and provide information about construction phasing and traffic impacts during the multi-year project.

Construction work is expected to begin in spring 2016 and the contract completion date is in fall 2017.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 434-856-8168 or TDD/TTY 711.

State Project: 0095-106-122, P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: NH-095-1(278)

Learn more by reading chapter two of our book Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.

Next week: Developing a fundraising team Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw For more fundraising and nonprofit management suggestions visit www. saadandshaw.com. When you are ready to work with fundraising counsel call us at (901) 522-8727.

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I-95 Temple Avenue Interchange Improvements Project City of Colonial Heights Pardon Our Dust

Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com VOL. 9, ISSUE 2 Urban Views Weekly, LLC 6802 Paragon Place, Suite 410 Richmond, VA 23230 Office: (804) 441-6255 Fax: (888) 439-2534

Flora C. Clarke, Administrative Assistant flora@urbanviewsweekly.com Shelia O. Spurlock-Shaw, Advertising shelia@urbanviewsweekly.com Nickkol Lewis, Art Director Visual Appeal, LLC | visualappealstudio.com www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Submitted by Qaadira Muhammad, Event Coordinator

The Buy Black Expo The Black Wall Street Marketplace will empower small businesses by hosting the First Annual Buy Black Expo at the Royal Manchester Event Center, 1173 Wall Street Richmond, VA 23224. This event will feature diverse area black businesses ranging from retail merchants, financial advisors, art, and service industries as well as a spectacular Soul Food Buffet complete with traditional and vegetarian choices. This will be the first of twelve Marketplace Events to offer an adult friendly atmosphere with empowering speakers, business opportunities, lively entertainment, shopping, business startup grants, product sampling and more.

The Expo is a great opportunity for small business owners and youth entrepreneurs to network and gain information on how to grow their business and prepare for success

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to this one day event. The Expo opens at the Royal Manchester Event Center on Saturday, January 16, 2016, from 10am -5pm. Tickets are $5.00 adults, $2.00 for students and children over the age of 2.

in the New Year. Hundreds of families, college students, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and community leaders will participate in the one-day event that offers African American focused topics and themes. All businesses, chambers and surrounding counties are invited

“I believe this is a positive event and will give small black businesses the opportunity to market to a larger audience.

As a young entrepreneur I look forward to a forum for presenting my ideas to community leaders and expanding my current business”, commented Maria Warith, Director of CHESS (Child Entrepreneurs Securing Success).

If you have any questions about the event or have an interest in attending, please contact Nasira Muhammad, Public Relations Coordinator, at 804.263.0860 or buyblackexpo@gmail.com.

Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

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ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Why No Charges? Hardly Ever!

No charges will be filed against the Cleveland police officer responsible for the fatal shooting of 12 year-old Tamir Rice in 2014, while the youth was playing with a toy pellet gun on a public playground during daylight hours. No charges were filed in the fatal police shooting of John Crawford III, 22 years old, who was carrying a toy BB gun in a Beaverton, Ohio Wal-Mart store where the toy gun is sold in the store. Ohio is an open carry state, where individuals who have a permit are, legally, allowed to carry their rifles and handguns in plain view of the public; it should be noted. No charges were filed in the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown on a hot summer day in Ferguson, Missouri either. Neighbors and friends gathered in horror as the slain body of the 18-year-old Brown lay in the middle of the street for over four hours while police processed Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. the “crime scene.” The crime scene, what crime, if no charges are filed? Founder and Artistic Director Walter Scott was fatally shot in the back several times as he was fleeing The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor the police after a “routine” daytime traffic stop in North Charleston, Virginia Commonwealth University South Carolina last year. After an eyewitness came forward with

Laquan McDonald, 17, was fatally shot 16 times, in the head, chest, torso, back, arms, legs and groin while walking away from police last year in Chicago. This shooting by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was captured on a police dash cam video but was held by the police department for over a year until a media request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) forced its public release a year after the incident occurred. First accounts of the fatal shooting painted the “traditional” story of justifiable homicide, a shooting in self-defense that is, historically, the story told by law enforcement, vigilante groups and community watchmen, particularly when the victim is Black. They “feel” threatened and “believe” their life is in danger and so they shoot! They shoot without a pause or a word spoken, or a question asked. Without identifying themselves or giving a command to “STOP” or “DROP the WEAPON!” In the McDonald case, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, in its initial account, claimed Officer Van Dyke shot Laquan McDonald one time in the chest after the teen lunged at the officers on scene while holding a knife. That account was corroborated by at least five of the officers on the scene. Subsequently, the video evidence showed that the account touted by the police was a complete LIE. Although the DrT@Margins2theCenter.com a cellphone videotape of the shooting, Officer Michael Slager was officer responsible for the massacre of Laquan McDonald has been indicted www.theconciliationproject.org arrested and charged with murder. The officer has since been released for murder, where are the charges for the officers involved in the, apparent, on a $500,000 bond and house arrest because state Circuit Judge cover-up and filing of a false report? The breech of trust between communities of color and Clifton Newman said bringing the officer to trial was taking too long. Slager’s trial is scheduled to begin October 31st, a year and a half after Walter Scott’s death. The Bill of Rights guarantees those sworn to “protect and serve” those communities has been irreparably damaged. “Charges filed” does not mean that anyone will ever actually be convicted AND serve time for these the right to a speedy trial, however it must be said that the number of black & brown citizens murders. The justice system is broken, and it needs to be, completely, rebuilt. RE-FORM WILL awaiting trail, while remaining incarcerated, in the criminal justice system is truly an NOT DO ENOUGH! indictment of the partiality with which “rights and guarantees” are rationed out to citizens who have no power, privilege or finance as compared with those who do.

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, recently proclaimed that she is “American”, and not “African American”. Goldberg’s comment sparked controversy within the black community on how we should identify ourselves.

What’s your preference: American or African American?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Up Next Week: Come Correct- Politically or Otherwise

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Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

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The Deal

Take a Close Look at Social Security in 2016 If you’re not close to retirement age, it’s easy to ignore what Social Security is doing. However, some significant announcements late last year make now a very good time to pay attention.

What follows is a summary of notable changes to Social Security at the start of 2016 and ways to ensure you’re making the right retirement planning and claiming decisions based on what’s ahead: •

•

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Married and divorced individuals may have to rethink the way they claim benefits. Also last October, Washington settled a federal budget battle in part by closing some notable loopholes in Social Security law that allowed certain married couples to substantially increase their benefits over time and certain divorced individuals to claim benefits from former spouses under certain circumstances. These new restrictions on so-called fileand-suspend and restricted-claim strategies go into effect this coming May. In short, if you’re close to age 62 (the earliest age you can start claiming Social Security benefits) getting qualified advice has never been more important.

Other COLA-related issues. When there’s no cost-ofliving adjustment, there’s no change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, which will stay at $118,500 in 2016. This means earnings above that level aren’t subject to the Social Security portion of the payroll tax or used to calculate retirement payouts.

At the same time, the Social Security earnings limit for people who work and claim Social Security payments will stay at $15,720 in 2016 for people ages 65 and younger.

Social Security beneficiaries who earn more than this amount will have $1 in benefits temporarily withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit.

Some benefits are going down – a little. The highest possible Social Security payment for a 66-year-old worker who signs up for Social Security this year will be $2,639 per month, down $24 from $2,663 in 2015. The reason?

Social Security noted that despite no cost-of-living

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adjustment there was an increase in the national average wage index, one of the statistical guideposts the agency uses to calculate benefits.

•

Service changes. If you haven’t created a My Social Security account, do so for two reasons: First, there have been reports of ID theft related to thieves attempting fraudulent signups for such accounts. Second, the agency is making more detailed account data available online such as estimates of monthly payments at various claiming ages. Also, Social Security expanded office hours in some of its field locations in 2015, so if you need face-to-face assistance, check hours of operation at your closest local office.

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Bottom line: Social Security froze benefit amounts for the coming year, and that has an impact on both current and future recipients. You can’t fully understand your retirement without understanding how Social Security works, so now’s the time to learn.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs.

To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney.

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2016 Social Security payments won’t increase. In late October, Social Security announced that there wasn’t enough inflation in 2015 to create a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to monthly benefits this year.

Understandably, this announcement shook up recipients who look to Social Security for a significant part of their monthly income. It’s only the third time payments were frozen in the past 40 years since automatic COLA adjustments began, but here’s the rub – all three occasions occurred after 2010. In short, most seniors will have to live with an average monthly payment of $1,341 with married beneficiaries receiving a total of $2,212.

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Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

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Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you d

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hortly after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, civil rights leaders and black elected officials throughout the country called for a national holiday to honor King, who dedicated his life to pursuing equal rights for all people. The push for a King holiday was realized in 1983 when President Ronald Reagan signed legislation designating the third Monday in January as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This year marks the 30th anniversary since the federal holiday was celebrated legally in 1986.

The King holiday is celebrated or observed in schools, workplaces, community facilities and churches throughout the country and in various parts of the world. Often leading such observances are individuals who embody the courage, compassion, integrity, inspiration and vision displayed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Urban Views Weekly is proud to feature in this issue two Richmond-area individuals, who not only believe in the teachings and work of Dr. King, but display many of his characteristics and qualities in their own lives and in helping the lives of others. They are Urban Views Weekly’s Visionaries 2016.

Henry Mack

Henry Mack served honorably as a warrant officer in the U.S. Navy, with stints in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. He retired as a chief warrant officer, filled with a love for his country and proud of his role in “ensuring Democracy 6

Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

and the American way of life,” he said.

After the war, Mack worked in construction for several years in New Jersey before moving to Richmond to attend Virginia Union University. He earned a degree in business administration and later started a construction company that specialized in renovation. While successful in college and his construction business, Mack was less successful overcoming the disabilities, including posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), that came home with him from Vietnam.

Mack filed a claim for his disabilities in 1968, the same year in which Martin Luther King Jr. was killed. The claim was initially denied. It would be 1998, 30 years later, that the claim was settled or “ejudicated,” said Mack.

Continuing to pursue the claim was worth the effort, said Mack, adding that his military training and staying focused helped him while pursuing his claim.

The lengthy claim process prompted Mack to start an organization to help other veterans facing obstacles and struggles similar to his own. In 1997, Mack founded Veterans Helping Veterans Now (VHVNOW) a nonprofit organization that works with U.S. Veterans and non-veterans, men and women, who are homeless, incarcerated or have been incarcerated. The organization, which has served 1,000 to 1,500 veterans, also provides assistance and guidance to women who have been sexually traumatized.

VHVNOW also works with dependents and spouses of military veterans who have been exposed to contaminants such as Agent Orange. Other services include housing, restoration of voting rights, employment, job training, education, and assistance with filing claims for veterans’ benefits.

Many Vietnam veterans were met with hostility when they came home, said Mack, who acknowledges that the recognition now received by veterans is long overdue.

He believes that the increased presence of women in the military has brought more attention to veterans’ needs.

Mack, 72, a resident of Chesterfield County, said he feels good about the work his organization has provided, but noted that much work remains. He is in the process of

By Bonnie Newman Davis

doing for others?’ - Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. committees including: The Boys Scouts, The Healing Place, Blackwell Civic Association, Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR) and the Virginia Prostate Cancer Coalition.

• Chaired the United Voices of Veterans Action Group at the Richmond McGuire VA Medical Center.

• Participated in the Southside Lock-Up fundraiser to benefit the Central and Southeastern Virginia Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

renovating an outreach center for veterans and others in need.

Partnerships with Richmond Police, a local sorority and the Chesterfield Fire and EMS have benefited his organization, which counts on volunteers for support.

Funding also is a priority, and Mack hopes that grant procurement will provide his nonprofit much needed financial assistance.

“Our youth are really struggling and it’s up to us to turn around this paradigm,” he said.

Mack Moments: • Participated, volunteered, and served on many

• Attended the Richmond Citizen’s Academy, Chesterfield County Police 29th Citizens Academy and the Chesterfield Citizens Fire and EMS Academy.

• Inducted in the Chesterfield Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2014 and recognized as an Allen and Allen Hometown Hero in 2015.

Michelle Oliver

Just months before the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, his speeches often focused on the economic inequality and injustice that permeated America. King was planning a poor people’s march in Washington to bring attention to the income disparities felt by African Americans, Native Americans and other racial minorities.

Michelle Oliver wasn’t born when King was killed, but the quest for justice and economic empowerment that King espoused lives within her. As a child, Oliver recognized the importance of economic freedom, and by age 10 she had launched her own business, Stickerfantastick.

“For $2 you would get the stickers of the month and a newsletter mailed to you,” Oliver said. “My father finally showed me I need to look at my pricing because of the cost of the mailing and cost of stickers. Great lessons learned!”

Oliver said her experience taught her that the person who owned the businesses not only made the decision, but also made the most money. “When I think about it, my father, even though he was a federal probation officer, had his own side business. Before ADT and these other alarm systems companies, he installed burglar alarm systems in homes. I watched him order wholesale and make a profit because he had an expertise that people had no clue about.”

Today, as president and a financial adviser for the Oliver Financial Group, Oliver, 44, routinely talks to women about financial concerns that burden their communities.

Her compassion for women facing unexpected circumstances leads her to assist women in transition from divorce or the death of a spouse. And, she has a knack for working with different markets and developing an understanding of various parties.

Photos: Bonnie Newman Davis www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

continues on page 8

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From Visionaries pg 7

A graduate of Virginia State University, Oliver began her adult career at Life of Virginia before moving on to Wachovia Bank and Securities, GE Financial, and Genworth Financial and Virginia Asset Management (VAM). She owned the Oliver Financial Group for nearly seven years, until merging her practice into the Richmond-based branch of VAM in 2010. Two years ago, Oliver returned to her independent practice, a move that enables her to more effectively assist clients, she said.

are so many more things, consciously and subconsciously, that we think and believe to be true.”

However, a different truth exists, Oliver explained.

“Generational wealth is not the power ball jackpot, it is not the athlete, it is not spending money because we have it. It is so much more.

Our community is a community of spenders.

The media knows it, companies that sell to us know it, and they use us to make millions from our lack of knowledge.”

“Statistically there are less than 8 percent minorities in all of financial services, including administrators and call centers,” she said. “Very rarely do you see a minority woman trailblazing in the industry.”

Oliver is passionate about promoting financial literacy and enjoys helping others make positive changes for themselves and their families.

“My charge in life is to help others understand finances; to help others understand that putting money away for your retirement is not a sin and you are not going to starve,” said Oliver, who lives in Henrico County. “My charge in life is to help others maintain their small businesses. I am here to help others understand that it is just as easy to save as it is to spend. I am here to help others understand how to run an effective business and to provide the tools you need to stay in business. That is my charge. That is my gift.”

Oliver articles or commentary about money management and life insurance have appeared in several print and online publications, including Bankrate. com, Black Enterprise, Essence, Heart and Soul, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In 2009, Michelle also served as the CVS Pharmacy Personal Finance Expert Spokesperson. Professionally, she is a member of Ladenburg Thalmann Institute for Women and the

Oliver’s Assets • Holds Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 Registrations Michelle Oliver

National Association of Professional Agents (NAPA).

“Michelle flies under the radar, helping and assisting others,” said a longtime colleague. “With all that she does in her professional life, she is very active in her children’s lives and a great wife. She is a great listener, motivator and has a sense of humor.”

Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.’s economic justice platform near the end of his life, Oliver offered several reasons for today’s continuing cycle of economic disparities in the African-American community.

“Economic inequalities still remain an issue because of what we are taught,” she said. “We are taught to get good grades, work hard, and work for a large corporation. No one teaches entrepreneurship. We are taught that our children need to play sports in order to earn lots of money. We think that we should spend our tax refunds instead of saving a portion or all of it.

We are taught that having the best and latest model car, house, and clothes means you are wealthy. There

• Life & Health Insurance licensee • Registered Representative of Securities America Inc. • Investment Advisor Representative of Securities America Advisory Inc. • Securities offered through Securities America Inc., member FINRA (www.finra.org) / SIPC (www.SIPC. org) Advisory Services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. (The Oliver Financial Group and Securities America are separate companies.)

• Securities license in Virginia and Maryland.

• Executive Board Member and Secretary, Bizworks, a nonprofit business incubator in Chesterfield County.

• Vice President of Programs, Hungary Creek Middle School Parent Teacher Association.

Bonnie Newman Davis is a Richmond-based journalist, journalism educator and news media consultant.

Photo: Bonnie Newman Davis

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Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

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Review project information and National Environmental Policy Act documentation at VDOT’s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 23834-9002, 804-524-6000, 1-800367-7623, or TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.

If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Cynthia Crouch, EIT, PMP, project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, Richmond District, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or cynthia.crouch@vdot.virginia.gov on or prior to January 20, 2016. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of the date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above.

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs

One thing Natasha Coleman really cherishes is education.

Through financial struggles, the loss of her grandmother and her father figure, Natasha always felt education was her way out.

Growing up in a small Virginia county, her mother had to drop out during her junior year of high school for a full time job to support her grandparents. “I’m so different from her, how she was as a teen, but she encourages me and she wants me to do better for myself than she was able to,” Natasha said. “I think that’s been a very influential voice in my life and has made me keep going even when I felt like giving up.” As a first generation student going to college, Natasha wants to use this chance to make a difference for her family.

Natasha Coleman of Thomas Jefferson

Community High School GPA: 4.7 College of Interest: Howard University, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University Major Community Service: Church Hill Activities and Tutoring and Student Leadership Admission Strong Interests: Health Favorite Activities: Volunteering

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Urban Views Weekly | January 13, 2016

prepare a lab sample and give blood pressure checks.

Currently with a 4.7 GPA in high school, she plans to continue her education in order to accomplish her dream of working in the health field. While they may change, her top three choices for college are Howard University, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University. She already prepares for a life caring and helping others through volunteer work, one of her favorite things to do. From the summer of her 8th grade to the summer of her 11th grade year, Natasha worked with Church Hill Activities and Tutoring. During the school year she was a tutor, and during the summer she was a counselor. “I really liked it because I was Growing up seeing the compassion her able to connect with students that were in my mother had for others as a personal care community,” Natasha said. “I would say that I ™ ek of the We nurse and also seeing the compassion her was a positive role model to them because in mentor, who is a nurse, has are two of her my specific neighborhood students struggle inspirations. Natasha always knew she to just get through high school graduation wanted to do something in the health field and plans to become and so we’re reaching them at an early age.” She enjoyed the a nurse practitioner. “The relationship piece is so important to relationships she built with the students and other people me. I want to be able to impact people when they’re not feeling involved with the program. Another volunteer opportunity well or if they’re just coming in for a checkup,” Natasha, who she had was with her church’s program, Student Leadership always felt closer to her nurses over her doctors, said. “There’s Admission. She was the leader of her Church’s youth group and plenty of value to doctors, but I feel like they come in and they she helped plan activities and games with six other students. tell you what’s wrong with you and then they give you some While some may look down on Richmond City Public Schools, medicine.” She described nurses as people who are there to Natasha wants the community to know, “I’m just one of the very help patients prevent certain illnesses by being personal. This many people that are examples of how bright and passionate we past summer, Natasha had the opportunity to do an internship are.” With the support of her family and education as her way with the Richmond City Health District in the family planning out, her main goal in life is to have happiness and prosperity.” clinic. She was able to work with nurses and nurse practitioners,

Scholar0

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How to Guide

How to Choose a Tax Professional Tax codes are becoming more complicated every year. Why run the risk of making a mistake? A professional tax preparation service can help you file your quarterly or annual tax returns. A reliable tax preparer can save you time and money.

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A legitimate and reputable professional tax preparer should have:

As of 2011, the IRS requires professional tax preparers to register, pass a competency test and meet continuing education requirements. This government agency also licenses its own Enrolled Agents who must meet the same standards. The Treasury Department authorizes these Enrolled Agents to aid taxpayers at all levels of an audit.

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A relationship with an organization requiring continuing education

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A fee schedule based on the complexity of your return

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The willingness and ability to answer all of your questions

Before hiring a tax preparer, verify that they will represent you if you are audited by the IRS. Ask about the preparer’s audit rate.

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Knowledge of your state’s tax laws

The person you are hiring must specialize in tax preparation. A certified public accountant might not be a tax specialist, and is no guarantee you will not be audited. The federal tax code changes every year. It is a challenge for tax professionals to stay current with the changes. A CPA specializing in taxation should have documentations of any continuing education classes completed in the past year.

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Familiarity with any special circumstances that may apply to you

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A willingness to include an itemized list of any judgment calls it has made and attach it to your copy of the return

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A willingness to provide an in-person review of any expected refunds with the preparer.

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Claims that they can obtain larger refunds than their competitors

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Guarantees of a refund up front

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A request for your signature on a blank tax form

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An unwillingness to sign a return, known as “ghost” preparation.

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

The best tax professional has a proven track record of competence, a stellar reputation and an attitude of respect for clients. It is your financial and legal status at stake. The preparer should be ready and able to stand behind their work and beside you if you ever need to appear for an audit.

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