September is National Preparedness Month- Keep Your Business Safe

 

September 2021 is National Preparedness Month. Disasters can take many forms and the financial cost of rebuilding after a disaster can be overwhelming. If you’re prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations when a disaster strikes. During National Preparedness Month, take the important steps to keep your small business, employees and family safe when a disaster strikes.  Learn more   This week, Hurricane Ida made landfall, causing unprecedented damage. A disaster declaration has been issued for Louisiana and Mississippi. Small businesses and nonprofits in impacted areas can now apply for SBA disaster assistance. Contact the Customer Service Center for help with your application at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Apply for assistance SBA Awards $5.2 Million in PRIME Grants to Help Emerging Micro-Entrepreneurs Gain Access to Capital Grants Will Help 27 Organizations Provide Technical Assistance and Training Services SBA has awarded 27 organizations across the United States a total of $5.2 million under the Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME) grant awards. PRIME supports these nonprofit organizations as they help low-income entrepreneurs get financing to establish and expand their small businesses by providing direct technical assistance, or provide capacity-building training for other organizations that provide capital to underserved small businesses. The SBA placed special emphasis in this year’s competition on projects that will offer training and technical assistance to strengthen economically disadvantaged businesses, particularly those that service entrepreneurs in Opportunity Zones, rural areas, and HUBZones. Among this year’s 27 recipients, 15 provide services in Opportunity Zones and 12 provide services in HUBZones. Nearly 9,000 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories have been designated as Opportunity Zones. Learn more   National Small Business Week is almost here! Earlier this week, the SBA announced the event schedule. There is still time to register for the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, September 13 – September 15, to learn new business strategies, meet other business owners, and chat with industry experts. This free online event will include educational webinars, updates on resources for small businesses, and a networking chat room for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.  Register   Paycheck Protection Program borrowers: If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below. Find out if your lender is participating.  Watch a video about how to use the portal. Apply for forgiveness. For additional information, visit the SBA website. Looking for Small Business Statistics?  The SBA Office of Advocacy recently released the latest federal economic data into state-by-state snapshots of small business health and economic activity.   This year’s profiles focus on state small business dynamics and employment. They answer questions like:  How many small businesses are in my state?  How many people do small businesses employ?  How many jobs do they create?  How many establishments opened and closed?  What industries have the most small businesses?   What demographic groups own the most small businesses?  How much do small businesses export?  Learn more Getting It Right- Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities: Webcast Series for Health and Retirement Plan Sponsors September 9, 2021 | 2:00 pm ET Operating an employee benefit plan can be challenging, especially for small businesses who have limited time, resources and access to professional help with benefit programs. To help increase awareness and understanding about basic fiduciary responsibilities when operating a health or retirement benefit plan, the U.S. Department of Labor is presenting the Getting It Right – Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities webcast series on September 9, 2021. Register Small Business Resources for the Military Community The SBA offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership. Explore funding programs, training, federal contracting opportunities and more. Learn more   Thanks to vaccines, small businesses across America have opened back up. Keep the momentum going by getting vaccinated. Find a vaccine provider near you. Learn how businesses can get tax credits for allowing employees to get vaccinated.  Learn more

Leon County Government Employment Opportunities - 09.06.21

 

 

LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are driven by making a difference on the issues that matter most to our community and committed to demonstrating results, exceeding expectations in areas of customer service and exercising responsible stewardship of our community’s resources, then you may have what it takes to join our team. 

 Do you want to join the Leon County team?  Apply Online.

CLOSING DATE: September 10

Administrative Associate V

EMS Supply/Logistics Technician

Housing Services Specialist

Information Professional 

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Equipment Operators

Maintenance Technician

Paramedic

Project Engineer

Survey Party Chief

OPEN CONTINUOUSLY

Paramedic (PRN)

EMT (PRN)

Consolidated Dispatch Agency

 Public Safety Communications Operator (Open Continuously)

http://www.talgov.com/employment/cda-psco.aspx

 For additional information on Leon County employment opportunities:

• Visit LeonCountyFL.gov/HR/jobs
• Call our Job Line at (850) 606-2403
• Watch Channel 16 on Comcast and CenturyLink
• Visit Human Resources, 315 South Calhoun Street, 2nd Floor, Suite #210

Drug Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer

People Focused.  Performance Driven

 

Cada contribuyente tiene el derecho de cuestionar la posición del IRS y ser escuchado

Los contribuyentes tienen el derecho de cuestionar la posición del IRS y ser escuchados. Esto es parte de la Carta de Derechos del Contribuyente, que describe claramente los derechos fundamentales que todos los contribuyentes tienen al trabajar con el IRS.

Los contribuyentes tienen derecho de:

• Levantar objeciones.
• Proporcionar documentación adicional en respuesta a acciones formales o propuestas del IRS.
• Esperar que el IRS considere sus objeciones a tiempo.
• Hacer que el IRS considere cualquier documentación de respaldo con prontitud.
• Recibir una respuesta si el IRS no está de acuerdo con su posición.

Aquí hay algunas cosas específicas que este derecho les ofrece a los contribuyentes.

• En algunos casos, el IRS notificará a un contribuyente que su declaración de impuestos tiene un error matemático o administrativo. Si esto sucede, el contribuyente:
  • Tiene 60 días para decirle al IRS que no está de acuerdo.
  • Debe proporcionar copias de cualquier archivo que pueda ayudar a corregir el error.
  • Puede llamar al número que figura en la carta o factura para asistencia.
  • Puede esperar que la agencia realice el ajuste necesario a su cuenta y envíe una corrección si el IRS mantiene la posición del contribuyente.
     
• Esto es lo que sucederá si el IRS no está de acuerdo con la posición del contribuyente:
  • La agencia emitirá un aviso proponiendo un ajuste de impuestos. Esta es una carta que viene por correo.
  • Este aviso le brinda al contribuyente el derecho de cuestionar el ajuste propuesto.
  • El contribuyente emite un desafío al presentar una petición en el Tribunal Tributario de los EE. UU. El contribuyente generalmente debe presentar la petición dentro de los 90 días posteriores a la fecha del aviso, o 150 días si se encuentra fuera de los Estados Unidos.
     
• Los contribuyentes pueden presentar documentación y objetar durante una auditoría. Si el IRS no está de acuerdo con la posición del contribuyente, la agencia emite un aviso que explica por qué aumenta el impuesto. Antes de pagar el impuesto, el contribuyente tiene el derecho de presentar una petición ante el Tribunal Tributario de los EE. UU. y cuestionar la decisión de la agencia.
   
• En algunas circunstancias, el IRS debe proporcionar a un contribuyente la oportunidad de una audiencia ante una Oficina de Apelaciones independiente. La agencia debe hacer esto:
  • Antes de tomar medidas de cumplimiento para cobrar una deuda tributaria. Estas acciones incluyen imponerle un gravamen a la cuenta bancaria del contribuyente. Inmediatamente después de presentar un aviso de gravamen federal de impuestos en el lugar apropiado de presentación del estado. Si el contribuyente no está de acuerdo con la decisión de la Oficina de Apelaciones, puede presentar una petición ante el Tribunal Tributario de los EE. UU.

Tax relief now available to victims of Hurricane Ida; Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Jan. 3

 IRS: Tax relief now available to victims of Hurricane Ida; Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Jan. 3

WASHINGTON — Victims of Hurricane Ida that began on Aug. 26 now have until Jan. 3, 2022, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

The IRS is offering this relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual or public assistance. Currently this includes the entire state of Louisiana, but taxpayers in Ida-impacted localities designated by FEMA in neighboring states will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

“During this difficult time, the IRS stands ready to help victims of Hurricane Ida,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “We want people affected by this devastating hurricane focused on their safety and recovery for themselves and their families. To provide assistance now and in the weeks ahead, we have a variety of different types of relief available to help people and businesses affected by this disaster.”

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Aug. 26, 2021. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Jan. 3, 2022, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. This means individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2020 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2021, will now have until Jan. 3, 2022, to file. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2020 returns were due on May 17, 2021, those payments are not eligible for this relief.

The Jan. 3, 2022 deadline also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments due on Sept. 15, 2021, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Nov. 1, 2021. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations, operating on a calendar-year basis, that had a valid extension due to run out on Nov. 15, 2021. Businesses with extensions also have the additional time including, among others, calendar-year corporations whose 2020 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2021.    

In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Aug. 26 and before Sept. 10, will be abated as long as the deposits are made by Sept. 10, 2021.

The IRS disaster relief page has details on other returns, payments and tax-related actions qualifying for the additional time.

The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. Therefore, taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to get this relief. However, if an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date falling within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

In addition, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.

Individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses can choose to claim them on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2021 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (2020). Be sure to write the FEMA declaration number – 4611 − for Hurricane Ida in Louisiana on any return claiming a loss. See Publication 547 for details.

The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by Hurricane Ida and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, visit disasterassistance.gov.

Low-income families still have time to sign up for advance child tax credit payments

 Low-income families still have time to sign up for advance child tax credit payments

It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance child tax credit payments.

The IRS urges anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. The Eligibility Assistant can help determine eligibility for the advance child tax credit. The Non-filer Sign-up tool can help people file a simplified tax return to sign up for these payments. Some non-filers may also be eligible for the $1,400 per person Economic Impact Payments and the recovery rebate credit. People can get these benefits, even if they don't work, have no income or don’t have a permanent address.

For these families, each advance CTC payment is up to $300 per month for each qualifying child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17.

Payments are generally issued on the 15th of each month through December 2021.

Here are more details and information about how to get the payments:

• The IRS sends advance child tax credit payments to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income tax return. This includes people who successfully use the Non-filer Sign-up tool for advance CTC, available only on IRS.gov. People can access the Non-filer Sign-up tool or the step-by-step guide for using it on IRS.gov.

• Aside from filing a simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up tool, families don't have to do anything else if they are eligible to receive monthly payments.

• The Non-filer Sign-up tool is available until October 15, 2021. Using the tool by 11:59 p.m. ET on any month’s deadline will apply to the next month’s payment.
 
• Families who receive their first monthly payment in any month after July will still receive their total advance payment for the year. This means that the total payment will be spread over fewer months, rather than six months, making each monthly payment larger.
 
• The IRS encourages people to request payments by direct deposit, which is faster and more secure than other payment methods. People who don't have a bank account should visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation website for details on opening an account online. They can also use the FDIC's BankFind tool to locate an FDIC-insured bank.

• Finally, BankOn, American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America and National Credit Union Administration have lists of banks and credit unions that can open an account online. Veterans can see the Veterans Benefits Banking Program for financial services at participating banks.

Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: Low-income families still have time to sign up for advance child tax credit payments https://go.usa.gov/xFzab

Conozca sus derechos laborales

 

Sepa cuáles son sus derechos como trabajador

Todas las personas que trabajan en Estados Unidos tienen derecho a un lugar de trabajo seguro y saludable, así como al pago completo de sus salarios. Durante la Semana de los Derechos Laborales, del 30 agosto al 3 de septiembre, conozca los recursos existentes, en español, que pueden ayudarle con varios temas relacionados con el trabajo. Entre ellos: Cómo buscar empleo  Cómo preparase para su jubilación Cómo presentar quejas en situaciones que pongan en peligro la seguridad laboral del trabajador

Leon County Recognized for Outstanding Public Works Projects

 

Leon County Recognized for Five Outstanding Public Works Projects

Earlier this month, Leon County Government received five Project of the Year awards from the Big Bend Branch of American Public Works Association (APWA) recognizing outstanding public works projects. Each year, APWA spotlights special projects in the community that have achieved project goals within budget all while exceeding public expectations.

“The County’s award-winning projects demonstrate our commitment to creating safe, long-lasting infrastructure for the community,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Rick Minor. “Well-designed projects such as these serve not just the neighborhoods and businesses of today, but they will also contribute to a high quality of life for future generations.”

This year, the following Leon County Government projects received awards:

• Meridian Road Drainage Improvement Project in the category of Environmental/Stormwater. Historically, heavy rain caused water to run over Meridian Road and created hazardous conditions in the area. To reduce flooding, Leon County improved drainage by installing large box culverts to move water beneath the roadway. Such improvements are also expected to reduce soil erosion, improving the health of adjacent wetlands and Lake Jackson.

• Crowder Road Sidewalk in the category of Transportation. To improve pedestrian safety, Leon County constructed a six-foot wide sidewalk along the north side of Crowder Road and east side of Indian Mound Road. The project also included additional drainage improvements such as the construction of underground storm structures, storm pipes, concrete ditch and sodded swales. 

• Centerville Trace Dam Restoration in the category of Emergency Construction Repair. When homeowners notified the County of a leak in the dam, the County quickly confirmed the leak and conducted a geotechnical analysis of soil samples to determine the extent of needed repairs. To restore dam integrity, an interlocking steel sheet pile retaining wall was built along the center of the dam with a continuous reinforced concrete pile cap, a new dam overflow spillway, a wooden pedestrian boardwalk over the spillway and a stabilized maintenance access road.

• Bradfordville Volunteer Fire Department in the category of Structures. This project consisted of constructing a new fire station in northeast Leon County. The new 1,000 square-foot facility now houses a 2,500-gallon tanker and equipment for the Bradfordville Volunteer Fire Department.

• Old Bainbridge Safety Improvements in the category of Best Performance. With narrow lanes and numerous curves compromising its safety, this segment of Old Bainbridge Road from US-27 to the County Line suffered 120 crashes in five years. To enhance safety, countermeasures were developed including widened shoulders on the outside of curves, added activated solar speed feedback signs, highlighted curve warning signs and intersection ahead warning signs with street name plaques.

“Earning not one, but five distinguished awards showcases how our County teams work alongside our community to produce the best results,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “Our Public Works crews and engineers continue to set the highest standards in public service and infrastructure, all of which will serve our community for years to come.”

The APWA Awards Program promotes excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who accomplished the projects together.

The American Public Works Association is a non-profit international, educational and professional association of public agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for communities through public works projects and services.

For more information, contact Brent Pell, Director of Public Works, at (850) 606-1500 / PellB@LeonCountyFL.gov or Mathieu Cavell, Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov .

 

In 2020, Leon County installed an interlocking steel sheet pile at the Centerville Trace Dam.

 

Leon County improved drainage at Meridian Road by installing large box culverts to move water beneath the roadway.