New York —The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning for taxpayers in Delaware about a tax scam that has re-emerged and may be spreading to other areas. The scam involves people posing as tax preparers and luring victims in by promising large refunds from the IRS, frequently involving education credits or the Earned Income Tax Credit.

People who are falling for this scam are discovering that a side-effect is that it will cost them their federal benefits, ranging from certain veterans benefits to Social Security payments or low-income housing benefits.

Read the full story here…
IRS ISSUES WARNING ABOUT BOGUS TAX PREPARERS IN DELAWARE

Health and Fitness Event Will Run During Vermont Avenue Farmer’s Market

The Department of Veterans Affairs will raise awareness of heart disease in women, particularly women Veterans and VA employees, at a “VA Goes Red” health expo Thursday, Sep. 27, outside VA’s central office at 810 Vermont Avenue. The event will run in conjunction with the FRESHFARM farmer’s market held at the same location from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“We are proud to team with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red For Women movement to raise awareness of heart disease in women Veterans and VA staff,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This event not only highlights our commitment to care for women Veterans, but it’s also a great opportunity to share information about cardiovascular disease and prevention.”

Activities will include healthy cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, health screenings and CPR instruction. VA’s Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey and Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Health, Dr. Robert Jesse, a cardiologist, will speak during the programmed portion from noon to 1:00 p.m. AHA President Donna Arnett, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., and chairperson of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, will also speak during the event.

“With the number of female Veterans and women in the military rising, and Go Red For Women entering its 10th year, now is the time to unite in the fight against the number one killer of women and advocate for an increase in women-focused research,” said Dr. Arnett. “Currently, 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, so we’re thankful for the opportunity to provide thousands of women with life-saving information about their personal risks through our relationship with VA.”

VA and the AHA announced their collaboration in May. By combining efforts, the
organizations can maximize their resources and share Go Red For Women’s messages and tools
with women Veterans and VA employees.

The farmer’s market—which opened as a result of First Lady Michelle Obama’s mission
to make healthy food options more accessible to the DC population—provides an ideal venue to
discuss heart disease prevention strategies, which include exercise and healthy eating.

Women serve in every branch of the military, representing 15 percent of today’s active
duty military and nearly 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces. By 2020, VA
estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population.

Visit www.va.gov/womenvet and www.womenshealth.va.gov to learn more about VA
programs and services for women Veterans.

SYMRNA – Joined by Delaware veterans, members of the American Legion #14, Attorney General Beau Biden and legislative leaders, Governor Jack Markell signed legislation today requiring State agencies, including all public schools, to display a POW/MIA flag on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. National POW/MIA Recognition Day, observed on the third Friday of September each year, serves as an opportunity to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families. House Bill 276 supports the goal of this day by ensuring state facilities and public schools display the POW/MIA flag in remembrance.

 “The POW/MIA flag has various symbols on it, but the phrase ‘You are not forgotten’ is the most important,” said Governor Markell. “We owe a significant amount of gratitude to the U.S. military personnel who were prisoners of war and those currently missing in action. Signing this bill into law signifies Delaware’s ongoing commitment to the words on this flag.”

 Primary House sponsor, Rep. Bill Carson, D-Smyrna, said he grew up with friends who served in Vietnam, some of whom did not return. One soldier, Marine Captain Larry Potts, was shot down by enemy fire in Vietnam 40 years ago, but his body was not found among the wreckage. Sponsoring the POW/MIA flag bill, he said, was one way to pay tribute to Capt. Potts and all the other Delawareans listed as missing or who were prisoners of war.

 “This is a way to honor heroes of all generations and all wars who were captured or went missing while defending our country and the liberties we so enjoy,” Rep. Carson said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we have today. We owe them a debt of gratitude, and flying the POW/MIA flag is just one small way to do that.”

“If a building can handle it, I think we should fly the POW-MIA flag every day to remember the brave men and women who are either in an enemy’s hands or are missing,” said Sen. Bruce Ennis, D-Smyrna, the bill’s chief Senate sponsor.  “But if a building has only one flagpole, then, I think it’s important and fitting to fly that flag on the day we recognize our POWs and MIAs.”

 The 2012 National POW/MIA Recognition day will be observed Friday, September 21. It will be the first time this new requirement is implemented statewide.  

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 For pictures from the event, please visit the online Flickr album.