Winter 2017
In this Issue:
- Protecting Yourself During Tax Season
- 2017 General Assembly Session
- Your Community, You’re Connected – Assessments, Penalties, and Collections
- Archived Your Community, You’re Connected Programs Available
- Educational Opportunity: 2017 WMCCAI Conference and Expo – Saturday, February 25, 2017
- WMCCAI Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors Living In Common Interest Communities
- Looking for Homeowner and Condominium Resources?
Protecting Yourself During Tax Season
April 15 is a day synonymous with Americans as Tax Day. While the date holds a stigma as a day most consumers do not look forward to, to some it may mean receiving that much anticipated refund. Perhaps you are planning on using your refund to recuperate from holiday spending, pay an outstanding medical bill, put a down payment on a new vehicle, or add some extra cash to your vacation fund. But what would happen if you went to file your taxes to obtain that refund, and you found out someone else beat you to it? Someone who stole your identity to defraud the government and claim your refund?
It is more common than you would imagine! In fact, according to fraud.org, in 2015, this type of fraud affected nearly a quarter million Americans. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated thieves using fraudulent tax and wage information to defraud the government is the fastest-growing type of identity theft. That statistic is substantiated with the comparison of the 2015 and 2016 Better Business Bureau list of top ten scams. According to the Better Business Bureau, tax scams ranked number one both years; in 2015 with 2,413 reports, and 2016 with 7,530 reports. The number of reports for tax scams more than tripled in one year! The National Consumers League estimates between 2011 and 2014, “identity thieves claimed $23 billion in fraudulent tax refunds; money that was supposed to go to legitimate taxpayers, but instead ended up in criminals’ pockets.”
The National Consumers League outlines how it works: scammers find out your personal information that is required to file a tax return - simply your name, social security number, and date of birth. They then falsify a W-2 form, file the return, and illegally collect the refund. Consumers often do not discover they were victims of this crime until they attempt to file their own legitimate tax return. Once filed, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send a notice to the victim stating someone else already filed in their name.
Fortunately, the National Consumers League and other resources compiled steps consumers can take that may help reduce the risk of tax fraud. Here is how:
- File early in the tax season before thieves even have the chance to take advantage.
- Use a secure internet connection if filing electronically. This means do not use unsecure, publically available Wi-Fi hotspots at places like coffee shops or hotel lobbies.
- If you do not usually file online, mail your tax return directly from the post office. This makes it more difficult for thieves to get their hands on your personal information.
- Remember, if the IRS needs to contact you, they will do so first by mail. The IRS will not call you to say you owe taxes. They will not contact you by email, text, or social media. The IRS will not ask you to make payment over the phone with a credit card, with a gift card, prepaid debit card, or wire transfer. Even if you receive a phone call from a caller that holds a portion of your social security number, be skeptical. You can always call the IRS directly to confirm communication.
- Do not give out your social security number unless absolutely necessary. Always ask why it is needed, how it will be used, and how it will be stored.
- Shred old tax returns you are no longer required to keep. The rule of thumb is generally to retain the previous three years.
- Research tax preparers thoroughly before you commit to one and turn your personal information over to them.
- Routinely check the status of your refund on the IRS webpage.
If you think your identity has been stolen, call the IRS Identity Theft Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490. Report the fraud and ask for the IRS ID Theft Affidavit Form 14039. If you are a tax identity theft victim, the IRS may give you a personal PIN number to verify your identity and protect your file going forward.
2017 General Assembly Session
The 2017 Virginia General Assembly Session convened on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia can take an active role in the legislative process. The Virginia General Assembly website offers online resources to keep the public informed. The Legislative Information System allows individuals to follow the status of bills. To receive email notifications about specific bills, sign up for the free Lobbyist-in-a-Box service, and track up to five bills without charge. Search for proposed bills specifically related to common interest communities, the Property Owners’ Association Act, or the Condominium Act. Volunteer leaders and members in common interest communities are encouraged to stay informed and engaged.
Your Community, You’re Connected - Assessments, Penalties, and Collections
The most recent Your Community, You’re Connected program, Assessments, Penalties, and Collections, replays on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m. on Fairfax County Government Channel 16 and is also available for viewing by Video on Demand. Marla Diaz, attorney with Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP; and James L. Claggett, Jr., Community Manager with Associa, CMC joined Michelle L. Thompson, the Fairfax County homeowner and condominium association liaison to discuss all aspects of association assessments and collections.
Join us for our next exciting conversation, Association Communications on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m
Archived Your Community, You’re Connected Programs Available
November 15, 2016 - YCYC: Association Conflicts of Interest
September 27, 2016 - YCYC: Succesful Association Elections
July 19, 2016 - YCYC: 2016 Legislative Review
May 24, 2016 - YCYC: Architectural Covenants and Compliance
March 29, 2016 - YCYC: People, Parking and Pets
February 9, 2016 - YCYC: Successful Board Meetings – From Beginning to End
November 10, 2015 - YCYC: Association Insurance: Asset & Liability Protection
September 15, 2015 - YCYC: Financial Success
May 5, 2015 - YCYC: The Anatomy of a Successful Community Association
March 10, 2015 - YCYC: Fair Housing is Everyone’s Business
Educational Opportunity: 2017 WMCCAI Conference and Expo – Saturday, February 25, 2017
Attend the largest community association industry event in the Washington metro area hosted by the Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute (WMCCAI)! The 2017 WMCCAI Conference & Expo features 15 educational sessions on relevant topics affecting community associations and more than 200 exhibiting companies offering a wide variety of products and services. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join more than 2,000 community association professionals involved in your community to:
- Learn tips and best practices to get more involved in your community
- Network with other volunteer association leaders
- Earn Continuing Education Credits
- Visit with businesses and management companies that cater to your needs
- Meet community association industry leaders
For more information visit the WMCCAI website at www.caidc.org and REGISTER TODAY
WMCCAI Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors Living In Common Interest Communities
The WMCCAI Media/Essay Contest is open to all high-school seniors within the WMCCAI service area (the immediate Washington metro area) living within a community association (i.e., homeowners association, condominium association, or cooperative association). A 500-700 word essay or 3-5 minute video/PowerPoint presentation on “How Can Starting a Green Initiative Using Teen Volunteers Benefit my Community?”
Applicants must submit a fully completed application form and all necessary statements, documents and references no later than 5 p.m., EST, March 31, 2017. Mail entries to WMCCAI, 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West, Falls Church, VA 22043, Attn: Scholarship Program. Email applications are acceptable if submitted by the deadline and the original documents are received within 4 business days of the above stated deadline; additional information submitted with the hard copy of an emailed application will not be considered. Email applications must be sent to outreach@caidc.org.
Looking for Homeowner and Condominium Resources?
Visit the Homeowners’ and Condominium Association webpage for links to valuable resources such as education, publications and laws related to living and managing a common interest community. Feel free to contact the Homeowners’ and Condominium Association Liaison any time at 703-222-8435.