INFORMATION

Library Requests Used Book

Jefferson Hills Library is requesting donations of used books, videos, CDs, kids games, puzzles and other materials. Please look around for materials no longer needed or useful, and consider making a donation to your Library. Depending on volume, they may be picked up at your residence or you may just drop them off at the Library. For more information, contact the Library at 412•655•7741. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

 

Try Mental Challenge:

Example:   16  = O in a P   
Answer:     16  = Ounces in a Pound
              
                   26 = L of the A.
               
                Know the Answer?
            CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK..

Credit Reports. (Tuesday, September 12, 2006)

Effective September 1, 2005, Pennsylvania residents were able to request a free credit report, annually, from the three major Credit Reporting Companies. If you did request yours last year, you may now be eligible to request them again, or your one-year may soon be coming up. If you have not requested your free credit reports in the past, this would be a good time to do so. Any errors can be cleared up before the Holiday season.

You may ask, "Why bother? I never have had any problems with obtaining credit. Or, I don't believe in credit and I always pay cash." Even for those who don't believe in making purchases on credit, it is essential that a good credit rating be established. Without making some credit purchases, no credit history and credit rating can be established.

Having no credit experience or a poor credit rating would be detrimental when attempting to make a large purchase, such as a home or car, where it may be necessary to obtain credit. And, a good credit rating is becoming more important, and in many instances, essential in obtaining rental leases, getting car insurance or good rates, seeking employment or even getting raises and promotions. Wonder why you were passed over for that promotion?

Maintaining an excellent credit history and rating is a relatively simple thing to do. Just pay all your bills on time, do not miss any payments, do not default on any bills, credit or loans, and most importantly do not over extend your credit. Sometimes this is easier said than done, though.

Score: Do you know your score. Do you know what a good score is? Scores range for 300 to 850, and the higher the score the lower interest rate you may expect when borrowing. A good score is above 720. Please note, though, when requesting your free credit reports, you will not be given your score - free. Depending on the credit bureau, a score costs between $5.95 to $7.95.

Even though you may not have ever had any problem with obtaining credit, are you really getting the best interest rate possible? Is there something in your credit report(s) that prevented you from getting that raise or promotion? Are there errors on your report and you are not getting the highest possible credit score or even being denied credit, unjustly? Aren't you just a little curious?

One out of Four Reports (25%) contains an Error that is serious enough to result in a denial of credit! Nearly 1/2 of Americans have never requested their reports.

Well, you really must know what is in your records and you must know your credit score. Here's how to do it. Remember, the reports are free, and the score is priced reasonably.

Do Not Call Registries

The Do Not Call Registries are only effective for 5 years. If you were one of the first to register when the law went into effect, the 5 years is expiring, you will be dropped off and again begin to receive those marketing calls at dinner time.  Or the other option is to register again.

This is the Link for the National Do No Call Registry
And this is the link for Pennsylvania State Registry

You may resister at any time, but if you wait beyond September 15th, there will be a delay in getting you set up. So just do it now!

Support Your Library with a Donation

For every $1.00 spent by the Jefferson Hills Library, residents receive $5.50 worth of Library value. The Friends of the Jefferson Hills Library is asking each resident to consider making a tax deductible donation. As little as $1.00 helps, this worthwhile service. Read more about it...

Reference Material ****

School Bus Law

   Need a Refresher on School Bus Law?

ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO VOTE?

Colon and Rectal Cancer Awareness:

How about you; have you had your examine yet? Colon cancer is very slow growing and highly curable if detected early. However, it is the second leading cause of deaths from cancer, only behind lung cancer but ahead of both breast and prostrate. Everyone should have a colonoscopy after attaining age 50, and possibly earlier should there be a family history. Apprehensive? Here is what one person experienced and wrote about:

Pre-Approved Credit Offers.

Do you ever get those pre-approved credit offers or insurance offers in the mail? Do ever wonder how they got your name and address or, better yet, how do they even know that you are reliable?

There are four consumer credit reporting companies that have a wealth of information about you: Equifax, Experian, Transunion, and Innovis. They are permitted to provide this information to creditors and insurance companies. So, the creditors and insurance companies have access to your credit history, and can make you a firm offer. These offers are firm and pre-approved; all you have to do is accept. For the most part, these offers are legitimate and may be welcomed by you. On the other hand, the offers may be a nuisance and you prefer not to receive them.

The good news is that the law allows consumers the option to Opt-out or to Opt-in. You may call 1.888.567.8688, or on-line go to OptOutPrescreen web site.

Email Tip:

Everyone over 50 whose eyesight isn't what it was or those with less than 20-20

If you hold down the Ctrl key on your key board and turn the small wheel in the middle of your mouse, (if you have a wheel mouse) the print size will change - it will either get larger or smaller - depending on which way you turn the wheel.

Calculators:

Mortgage Calculator & Amortization Schedule

Property Tax Calculator

Don't know your Allegheny County Municipality tax rate? Find it Here!

Don't know your Allegheny County School District tax rate? Find it Here!

Area Information & Phone Numbers...

Cell Phone numbers are being made available to Telemarketers. (Thursday, January 11, 2007)

This information has been floating around the Internet recently. The danger here is that your cell phone will be ringing and, yes, you will be paying for the call. However, this information is bogus! The Federal Communications Commission has advised "placing telemarketing calls to wireless phones is -- and always has been -- illegal in most cases."

The Federal government maintains a Do-Not-Call Registry for both "land line" and wireless phones but does not have plans to maintain a separate registry just for wireless phones. You may add both types of phone numbers to the national registry by going to the online government Do-Not-Call Registry web site or by calling toll-free at 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register. Registered numbers remain in effect for 5 years.

You may want to register all your phones, unless you enjoy receiving telemarketer calls at dinner time.

Poor Man's Home Security System.

You would like to have the protection of a home security but really don't want to put out the cash? Well, there is a system that may be reliable, inexpensive and you may already own. All you have to do is test it and then put it into use. As you will see, it is even a bit portable. Here's how it works....

Sewage Information and Rates and a tip on reducing your sewage bill.

Stroke: STR These three letters save lives!

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke ...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized; diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. How a stroke may be recognized...

Jefferson Hills Library Vintage Books for Sale

The Friends of the Jefferson Hills Library has "A Collection of Vintage Books" for sale – some rare and some first editions. See the list here...

Jefferson Hills Voting Districts

There are eight polling districts in Jefferson Hills. Polls are open on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. If you need a Voter’s Registration Form, Absentee Ballot, or any other information on Voting, contact the County Elections Department at 412-350-4500. Listed below are Jefferson Hills voting sites by district (your District Number is located on your voter's ID card).

#1 Gill Hall Community Center

#2 Jefferson Hills Municipal Center (Library Entrance)

#3 Route 885 Fire Hall

#4 Route 885 Fire Hall

#5 Jefferson Hills Municipal Center (Council Chambers Entrance)

#6 Floreffe Fire Hall

#7 Large Fire Hall
#8 United Methodist Church

      

Taxes ****

Deadlines for tax years 2010/2011.

Property Tax

2010 Property Data Mailer is being mailed to owners to review and correct property information to ensure accuracy.  The mailer is then to be returned in the pre-paid envelopes. See more information on the Allegheny County web site.

2002 Base Year in Jeopardy (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)

Common Pleas Court Judge R Stanton Wettick, Jr. ruled in favor of a Wilkinsburg couple that an appeal may request that a property value may be based on the current market value in lieu of the 2002 base value. It may be anticipated that school districts and other taxing bodies may appeal other properties in order to increase property values to the current market value, also.
See the complete story at the Post Gazette web site

County Executive Dan Onorato is not pleased, and the County will most likely appeal. In the meantime, you may want to prepare by considering a possible change to your property taxes in your personal financial planning and budgeting.

Property Tax 2002 Base Year in Jeopardy - AGAIN!! (Monday, June 11, 2007)

Common Pleas Court Judge R Stanton Wettick, Jr. ruled that the roll back to the 2002 base value, directed by County Chief Executive Dan Onorato is unconstitutional.  However, the County will appeal this decision to the PA Supreme Court. If this decision holds, then there will be a reassessment on 2009 and another in 2010. The reassessments process will cost the taxpayers – us – millions, in addition to the resulting tax changes.

But, in the short run, no changes will be experienced from this decision. So just wait and see what is decided. For more information see the . article.

Property Tax Assessment Board will Allow Current Market Values (Wednesday, September 8, 2006)

Home owners with their property market value less than the 2002 base year value, may file an appeal to have it decreased. You should have substantiating evidence that the market value is in fact lower.

Common Pleas Court Judge R Stanton Wettick, Jr's. ruling did not specify whether school districts and other taxing bodies will be able to do the same, so the assessment board did not state if they will allow these appeals either.
See the complete story at the Post Gazette web site

Calculate your own property taxes.

Read more about Property Taxes.  Also, see Tax Deadlines for tax year 2010/2011.

Home Owner and Renter Rebate Program

This program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. In addition, Property Owners income must not exceed $35,000 and Renters must not exceed $15,000. Only 50% of Social Security or Railroad Retirement Tier I need be included in the determination.

PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE:

Homeowners: INCOME REBATE
$0 to $8,000          =   $650
$8001 to $15,000   =  $500
$15,001 to $18,000 = $300
$18,001 to $35,000 = $250

Renters: INCOME REBATE
$0 to $8,000  =           $650
$8,001 to $15,000 =   $500

The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2010 is June 30, 2011. Checks will begin to be mailed July 1, 2011.

The following are instructions and forms:

  PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Booklet

  PA_ Property Tax and Rent Rebate Brochure

   PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Form

   PA Property Tax Rental Certificate

  PA Property Tax - Partial Home Owner and Renter During the Year

For more information, call 1-888-222-9190, or go to the PA Property Tax Relief Web Site.

Tax Return Computer Software - Federal and State.

If you have been or are interested in completing and filing your own tax returns, you may be interested the little known but excellent software package, Tax Act. It is priced less than the leaders but just as good and possibly better. You have the option of doing your tax returns online, downloading the software or purchasing the software on a CD. If interested, you may find more information on the Tax Act web site, along with some useful information.

VITA - Income Tax, Property and Rent Rebate Help

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. (VITA) VITA is a program of the IRS that assists you in filling out your tax forms - FREE. VITA Sites are open through April 15th. These sites are staffed by trained volunteers, so why pay exorbitant fees? Keep your entire refund. However, if you do have a complicated return, you may want to seek out a CPA or qualified tax professional. If you are not sure, VITA can help in making this determination, also.

Tax Refund - What to do with it?

How about a new plasma TV, a Vacation or a trip to the Mall? If any of these sound good, you may want to take a look at some Sound Financial Tips.

Tax Tips:

Regardless of who does your return, here are some tips that you want to consider.

Tax Act Software: For a very small sum, less than $25.00,  purchase TaxAct software, or file your taxes online - FREE - through TaxAct, file online. Try it, you will like it.

Business Mileage for 2011 can be deducted at 51 cents per mile.
Medical Mileage for 2011 can be deducted at 19 cents per mile.
Charitable Organizations for 2011 can be deducted at 14 cents per mile.

PA Sate Sales Tax: Don't forget to deduct Sate and Local Income Tax from your Federal return. You have the option of deducting Sate & Local Income Taxes that you paid, or deducting a General Sales Tax, whichever is greater. See Publication 600 to determine the amount of Sate and Local Sales tax that you can deduct, or deduct the actual amount that you paid.

 

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