Tax Returns

FRANKFORT - The Department of Veterans Affairs urges veterans to file federal tax returns to ensure they qualify for economic stimulus checks of at least $300. Veterans who would not ordinarily file a federal tax return must do so in order to receive the federal stimulus payments that will begin in May. Retired members of the military need to be aware that the only way they can get a stimulus payment is to file a return. Even those who have little or no tax liability may qualify for a minimum payment of $300 if their tax return reflects $3,000 or more in qualifying income.

Tax season has hit with a fury and local tax preparation specialists are in the midst of their annual storm. Recent changes in tax laws are leaving many people wondering where they stand and how much more, or less, they will owe Uncle Sam at the bottom line. One change in particular, referred to as the "kiddie tax," affects families who have saved money for their children's college education. Today's 529 plans allow savings to grow tax-free when they will be used for college expenses, but 529s haven't been around that long.

April in America is an adventure. The weather can never be taken for granted nor can it be predicted to bring spring. The dogwoods may bloom or be frozen in place. The daffodil explodes and trumpets the arrival of another growing season and awakens the japonica and forsythia from a long winter's nap. April can be the month for surprise as we witness these early and eager plant specimens shriveling. April in America, for those who must file tax returns, is often the time for vexation, consternation, dehydration, creeping starvation and the plea for salvation.

Some people have been arguing lately that Kentucky should raise its minimum wage. But raising the minimum wage to eradicate poverty is not a solution. It is a Band-Aid ? and a poor one at that. We can all agree that poverty is a problem, but most of the time liberals and conservatives clash over how to solve it. In particular, I have seen some recent comments by liberal pundits regarding the issue of raising Kentucky's minimum wage, and I think they are way off base. To start with, some have made the assertion that no one can afford to live on $5.15 an hour.

LANCASTER - A Garrard County couple charged with trafficking narcotics after thousands of pills were allegedly found in their home were in court Tuesday, this time asking for evidence to be suppressed. Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Lockridge said a motion was made on behalf of Faye and Bobby Shumaker to suppress evidence collected during various searches. The Shumakers were arrested Feb. 26 after police found narcotics on Bobby Shumaker during a traffic stop, then executed a search warrant for the couple's residence at 104 Royalty Drive.

Last year, for the first time ever, more taxpayers filed electronically than with paper. "E-file" means more convenience, faster refunds and less paperwork for many Americans. All told, more than 68 million Americans chose e-file instead of paper - an 11 percent increase over the previous year. More than 990,000 of those returns came from Kentucky (59 percent of all Kentucky filers). Electronic filing is transforming our lives along with on-line messages, shopping, banking and bill-paying.

LANCASTER - Local authorities found much more than 20,000 pills when they searched the home of a Lancaster couple accused of drug trafficking. Police also found more than 40 boxes of sample drugs at the residence of Bobby and Faye Shumaker, according to evidence reports, and four blank drug prescription pads from Lancaster Family Health Care. Bobby and Faye Shumaker's 104 Royalty Drive home in Lancashire Estates stored 13 different types of sample drugs found in boxes, assorted bottles and packs and included brand names such a Paxil, Lamisil, Lipitor, Singulair, Zocor and Pravigard.

State Rep. Bob Damron was being clever last week when he told the Lexington Herald-Leader "there's something un-American about paying income taxes when you didn't make any income. " He may be on to something, actually. We hesitate to point out that only last year he voted for the "un-American" provision that he now criticizes as some kind of Republican dirty trick. It doesn't matter now, really. Even though he is trying on his Howard Dean criticize-Republicans-no-matter-what act now, the state budget passed unanimously.

Dear Editor: I hope you will print my thoughts about a bill sponsored by Jody Richards requiring candidates for statewide office to disclose income tax returns for at least the past two years. House Speaker Richards is on the right track. This is an ethics issue, and ethics should not be limited by partisan politics. Candidates for statewide office are not exactly like the rest of us who can choose to live and work in a more private arena. When you run for statewide office, you are saying to the public, "Trust me, I'm working for you, and I expect you to pay my salary.