Economic Stimulus

Update 2: You can check the status of your stimulus payment on the IRS website by clicking here.

Update: If you don't normally file taxes, but believe you are eligible for the stimulus payment, you can get a packet containing all of the necessary forms and information by clicking on the following link:

Package 1040A-3


Click here for information specifically pertaining to Seniors and Retirees.

Click here to see answers to Frequently Asked Questions about stimulus payments.

From the IRS:

WASHINGTON — More than 130 million American households will begin receiving Internal Revenue Service letters next week reminding them to file a 2007 tax return in order to receive a 2008 economic stimulus payment.

The mailings by the IRS will begin the first week in March and continue throughout the month. The informational notice, titled Economic Stimulus Payment Notice, alerts people that they may be eligible for a one-time stimulus payment of up to $600 ($1,200 married filing jointly) starting in May. There also is a $300 per child payment for qualifying children younger than 17.

“This special letters remind people that they won’t need to do anything more than file a 2007 tax return in order to put the stimulus payment process in motion,” Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff said.

The notice is informational and does not seek any financial information. The main mailings, which will take place in three weekly batches, will go to taxpayers who filed a tax return last year.

“To receive a payment in 2008, individuals who qualify will not have to do anything more than file a 2007 tax return. The IRS will determine eligibility, figure the amount and send the payment,” the notice states. “This payment should not be confused with any 2007 income tax refund that is owed to you by the federal government. Income tax refunds for 2007 will be made separately from this one-time payment.”

However, some people must take an extra step this year to receive a stimulus payment. In late March, the IRS will send a special mailing to certain recipients of Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits. Generally, those benefits are nontaxable and recipients do not file tax returns. In order to receive a stimulus payment, people in this group need to file a tax return if they have at least $3,000 from a combination of certain Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits and earned income. The minimum stimulus payment for these people is $300 ($600 for married filing jointly).

The IRS has created a sample of Form 1040A with information on how to fill out a few lines that will enable eligible people who do not normally file a tax return to receive the stimulus payment.

Digital TV Transition Information

If you or someone you know still relies on "rabbit ears" or rooftop antennas for TV broadcasts, information is available about the digital TV transition that's happening in February of 2009. If you don't take the necessary steps, you will no longer be able to receive television broadcasts. Those with cable and satellite will not be affected.

Click here for more information...

Governor Announces Free Income Tax Assistance Available Through the Ohio Benefit Bank

Columbus, Ohio - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today that the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has launched a statewide effort to provide free federal and Ohio income tax return assistance to Ohioans with household incomes below $54,000 per year.

The assistance is offered through The Ohio Benefit Bank - a free service that provides help for low and moderate-income Ohioans to claim tax credits and other work support benefits.

"Completing a tax return can often be a complex and time-consuming process. That's why I encourage Ohioans who need assistance to take advantage of the Benefit Bank's tax preparaion services," Strickland said. "Benefit Bank counselors stand ready to help families with their taxes as well as determine their potential eligibility for additional benefits."

Ohio Benefit Bank is offered through a public-private partnership between the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and more than 400 faith-based, non-profit, governmental and private-sector partners.

Trained counselors are currently staffing more than 120 Benefit Bank sites and clinics across the state to help prepare and file federal and Ohio income tax returns at no cost to eligible Ohioans. Free income tax assistance is also available through an online, self-service program at www.OBB.Ohio.Gov. Ohio public libraries are also partnering with the Benefit Bank to provide internet access and encourage individuals to utilize the online program.

Ohioans can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps at Benefit Banks sites and clinics or online.

To identify tax assistance services available in local communities or to get additional information on the Benefit Bank, please call 1-800-648-1176 or visit www.OBB.Ohio.Gov.

In less than 18 months of operations, the Benefit Bank has helped more than 7,500 Ohioans claim more than $9 million in tax credits and other work supports.

However, more than $1.6 billion dollars in tax credits and other supports go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply. More than 95 percent of these unclaimed funds are federal dollars. This includes more than 165,000 Ohioans who do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Upcoming Main Library Events

Monday, February 25
OSU Extension
Peanut Butter Possibilities
6:30p.m.

Monday, March 10
OSU Extension
Eggscellent Ideas
6:30p.m.

Saturday, April 12
Author Charles Lux
Presentation & Book Signing
2:00p.m.

Soup Scoop

Sherry Williams of the OSU Extension Office will offer a program about soup and provide many tasty recipes...and samples too!

The program will take place on Thursday, January 24^th at 1:00p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Main Library, located at 207 N. Market Street in Waverly. Registration is not required.

Computer Classes

The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library will again be holding computer classes. Basics of Computers classes will be offered and will teach, among other things, turning the computer on and off, using the keyboard and the mouse, and opening and closing programs. This class is for the absolute computer beginner.

In addition, the library will be holding an Internet class. The requirement for this class is a basic knowledge of using the computer, keyboard, and mouse, and opening and closing programs. If you do not possess these basic skills, you will need to start with the “Basics of Computers” class.

An E-mail class will also be available. As with the “Internet” class, the requirement for this class is a basic knowledge of using the computer, keyboard, and mouse, and opening and closing programs. In addition to these requirements, you must also have basic internet skills. If you do not possess these basic skills, you will need to start with the “Basics of Computers” class and/or “Internet” class as appropriate.

All classes are FREE and will be held at the Main Library located at 207 N. Market Street, Waverly. The classes are approximately two hours long, beginning at 5:30p.m. Registration is required for all computer classes, as seating is limited. To register for computer classes, please call the library at 947-4921 and ask for the Reference Desk. Class dates are listed below:

Basics of Computers – Thursday, January 24^th & Thursday, February 14th

Internet - Thursday, January 31^st & Wednesday, February 20^th

Email - Thursday, February 7^th & Thursday, February 28^th

We will be continuing to offer computer classes throughout the year. Future dates will be announced as they are scheduled.

Santa at Eastern Branch Library

On Tuesday, December 18th @ 6:00 pm, Santa Claus made his way to Beaver, Ohio to visit with 47 fine boys and girls. Santa read a story to the children and listened to every wish that they had. Santa left Beaver with a full belly of cookies and punch.

Tis the Season...

We've been celebrating the holidays here at the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library, helping the community to make ornaments, brownies in a jar, and other holiday gift ideas. As you can see from these pictures, we love to get into the holiday spirit...even Santa stopped by!

On Thursday, we enjoyed the talents of the Waverly High School Madrigal Singers, who honored us with many traditional Christmas carols, and an entertaining new take on "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

Don't forget to stop by on Monday, December 17th, at 6:00 pm to meet author Maryanne Raphael. She will discuss her mission experiences working with Mother Teresa in Missionary of Charities in Calcutta, South Africa, Mexico, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and the Bronx.

Santa to Visit Western Library

Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their helpers will be at the Western Branch Library Monday, December 10th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Parents can bring their cameras to take pictures. For more information call the Western Branch Library at 493-1745.

Main Library Holiday Events

“Brownies in a Jar” at the Library

WAVERLY, Ohio – Sherry Williams of the OSU Extension Office will offer a “Brownies in a Jar” program at the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library. “Brownies in a Jar” make a pretty AND tasty Christmas gift! The program will take place Monday, December 10^th at 6:30p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Main Library, located at 207 N. Market Street in Waverly. You must bring with you a quart jar, and you’ll get to take the finished product home with you at the end. There, you can decorate it with beautiful fabric and ribbon. Registration is required, so please call 947-4921 and ask for Reference, if you plan to attend.

Madrigal Singers

On Thursday, December 13, the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library main branch will host the Madrigal Singers of Waverly High School at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the holiday season.

Author Maryanne Raphael

Maryanne Raphael, author of “What Mother Teresa Taught Me”, will present a program at the Main Library on Monday, December 17 at 6:00p.m. Raphael is a freelance writer who knew Mother Teresa personally from working beside her in her Missionary of Charities in Calcutta, South Africa, Mexico, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and the Bronx.

We're Growing!

"The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library is hoping this time next year to be close to completion on a 1,200-square-foot expansion of the Eastern library branch in Beaver that will almost double the public space available in the building."

Click here to read the full story from the Chillicothe Gazette!

Count Down to Christmas

On Tuesday at Eastern, our storytime theme was Count Down to Christmas. We read Polar Express, and each child received a gold bell, along with a craft, counting down the days to Christmas. For a snack we drank hot chocolate and ate donuts. The kids had a great time. There were 17 Children along with 11 adults.

Thanksgiving at the Eastern Branch Library

At Eastern, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving Feast for storytime.
We read a story and went around the room and gave the children an opportunity to say what they where thankful for. Then, we ate all kinds of good food and played "put the
gobbler on the turkey!"

Gifts in a Jar

On Tuesday, December 4 at 2:00 pm, Sherry Williams from the OSU Extension Office will be showing everyone at the Western Branch Library how to make homemade gifts in a jar.

Prior registration is required for this event. This will ensure that the participants will have adequate supplies to make a gift. All participants must bring their own quart jar with a lid. Call the Western Branch Library if you have questions or to register for this event.

Telephone: (740) 493-1745

We hope to see you there!

Thanksgiving Storytime

The Western Branch Library had a special Thanksgiving Storytime on Monday evening. We talked and read about the first Thanksgiving, then read the book " Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks," by Margaret Sutherland. After the story, the children enjoyed Thanksgiving themed treats.

On Tuesday, a great group of children from the Idaho Head Start came to visit the library for storytime. We again read " Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks," and many of the children expressed the things they were thankful for this year .

The Western Library Staff would like to wish everyone
a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!