【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, August 2, 2022】As an ongoing effort to enhance our valuable service to We Chinese in America website readers, We Chinese in America website posts English and Chinese versions of “IRS News Release” ， “IRS Fact Sheets”， and “tax tips” directly received from IRS Media Relations Office in Washington, D.C.. We are pleased to take on this important role partnering with IRS to better inform the public.

Basic things all businesses should know about excise tax

Tax Tip 2022-116

August 1, 2022

Excise tax is an indirect tax on specific goods, services and activities. Federal excise tax is usually imposed on the sale of things like fuel, airline tickets, heavy trucks and highway tractors, indoor tanning, tires, tobacco and other goods and services.

Businesses that are subject to excise tax generally must file a Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return to report the tax to the IRS.

This tax is commonly included in the cost of the product. While the end consumer doesn’t usually see the excise tax on their receipt, it may be charged at the time of

• Import
• Sale by the manufacturer
• Sale by the retailer
• Use by the manufacturer or consumer

Many excise taxes go into trust funds for projects related to the taxed product or service, such as highway and airport improvements. Excise taxes are independent of income taxes. Often, the retailer, manufacturer or importer must pay the excise tax to the IRS and file the Form 720.

Some excise taxes are collected by a third party. The third party then sends the tax to the IRS and files the Form 720. For example, the tax on an airline ticket generally is paid by the purchaser and collected by the airline.

When to file

Businesses must file the form for each quarter of the calendar year. Here are the due dates:

• Quarter 1 – January, February, March: deadline, April 30
• Quarter 2 – April, May, June: deadline, July 31
• Quarter 3 – July, August, September: deadline, Oct. 31
• Quarter 4 – October, November, December: deadline, Jan. 31

If the deadline for filing a tax return falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the due date is the next business day.

How to file

The IRS does accept paper excise tax returns. However, electronic filing is strongly encouraged, when possible. To make this process easier for taxpayers, the contact information for all approved e-file transmitters of excise forms is listed on IRS.gov. Businesses can submit forms online 24 hours a day.

When businesses e-file, they get confirmation that the IRS received their form. Also, e-filing reduces processing time and errors. To electronically file, business taxpayers will have to pay the provider's fee for online submission.

The excise tax forms available for electronic filing are:

Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return

Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax

Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes, Schedules 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8

(Source: IRS Tax Tips)

Internal Resource Service

Media Relation Office

Washington, D. C

Media Contact: 202 317 4000

Public Contact: 800 829 1040

www.IRS.GOV/NewsRoom

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, August 1, 2022】Per County of San Diego Communications Office. San Diego County residents can now receive information about monkeypox via text thanks to the County public information text message alert system. (Photo credit: County of San Diego Communications Office)

The system allows County health officials to send real-time information about monkeypox in the region. To sign up to receive the messages, text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311.

The system was set up to let County public health officials issue timely information and instructions related to monkeypox in the San Diego region.

Limited Monkeypox Vaccine

The County continues to work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community to develop messaging, education materials, and to administer the limited number of vaccines coming to the area.

Given the scarcity of the monkeypox vaccine and as guided by the California Department of Public Health, the County is focusing on delivering first doses to as many people at high risk as possible. For the current outbreak, that includes men who have sex with multiple male partners and close contacts of reported cases. The County’s approach is in line with strategies in other large jurisdictions with monkeypox outbreaks, including New York and San Francisco.

The state allocates vaccines to counties based on the number of monkeypox and syphilis cases in men reported in a region. To date, San Diego County has received about 2,200 doses and has 20 confirmed and probable cases. The region’s case count is updated each Friday afternoon on the website. 

About Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a viral infection that can spread through contact with body fluids, sores on the body of someone who has monkeypox, or from shared items (e.g., clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids from sores of a person with monkeypox.

The disease can also spread between people through saliva or respiratory droplets, typically between people in a prolonged close setting. Although monkeypox is not generally considered a sexually transmitted disease, it can be transmitted during sex through skin-to-skin and other intimate contact, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, including close contact that may not be necessarily sexual.

Monkeypox Symptoms

Symptoms of monkeypox are similar to, but milder than, the signs and symptoms of smallpox, a related but extinct virus. They include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• Rash

A rash usually develops within one to three days after the appearance of fever.  This rash can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

Most people who develop monkeypox experience symptoms within seven to 14 days (and up to 21 days) after exposure.

Most people who become infected with monkeypox have a mild illness that improves without treatment over two to four weeks. Monkeypox is contagious and can spread to others once someone has symptoms from it and until scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed.

What People Should Do

Anyone who thinks they may have symptoms of monkeypox, including unusual rashes or lesions, should contact a healthcare provider right away or call 2-1-1 for more information.

You must have a rash, or spots, to get a monkeypox test. The monkeypox test is done on your skin with a swab at a clinic or health care provider. The swab is rubbed against spots on your skin, or parts of your rash, and then sent to a specialized lab for monkeypox testing. A preliminary lab test result is usually available within a few days.

Those waiting for results are asked to take steps to care for themselves and others. These include:

• Stay home and away from others.
• Put off travel on public transportation.
• Contact your sex partner(s) and people you have had close contact with since the start of your symptoms.
• Protect any pets.

Also consider using TellYourPartner.org to anonymously inform those you have had close contact with.

For more information on monkeypox, visit the County’s monkeypox website.

(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, July 31, 2022】In today’s world, there are things you can get free. Really? Let’s take a look of the following list:

1.Free entry to national parks

The National Park Service (NPS) manages 423 parks, from Acadia in Maine to Zion in Utah. Of those parks, more than 100 charge entrance fees. The rest are free. However, the NPS waives entrance fees at all parks five days a year. Here are the free dates for 2022:

• Jan. 17: MLK Day
• April 16: Start of National Park Week
• Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Sept. 24: National Public Lands Day
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day

Speaking of veterans, members of the military, as well as military veterans and Gold Star Family members, can all get a pass for free entry to national parks.

For others, it's not free, but it can be a bargain: People 62 and older can purchase a lifetime senior pass to national parks for just $80 (plus a $10 processing fee). Anybody in the car with a person holding a lifetime senior pass also gets in for free.

2.Free fishing

If you want to go fishing, you’ll often have to reel in a fishing license. But many states have days when you don’t need no stinking’ license to fish. In Montana, for example, you can fish for free on Father’s Day weekend and Mother’s Day weekend too. California lets you fish for free on July 2 and Sept. 3. TakeMeFishing.org has the rundown on free finny fun for all 50 states.  

Got allergies? Sanofi will send you a free sample of Xyzal, its allergy relief medicine. Keeping the neighborhood away with your snoring? Get a free sample of Breathe Right Strips. You can also get free samples of Mane ‘N Tail products just by asking. 

You can also get free food samples by mail. Truvia, the artificial sweetener, will send you a sample plus a $1 coupon. Love Corn will give you a free pack of its Love Corn snacks if you register at its website.

3.Free education

Many state colleges offer tuition-free classes for people 60 and older. Ohio residents may attend class at any state college for free; the same is true for people 60 and older in South Carolina. Some states require you to pay lab fees and other associated fees.

4. Free tax preparation

Sure, you may be soaking up the sun on the beach right now, but in six months you’ll feel the chilly winds of winter ­— and the cold hand of the taxman, too. Tax-Aide, from AARP Foundation, provides in-person and virtual tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, but it focuses on those 50 and older. The program is closed for the 2022 tax filing season but will reopen next winter for the 2023 season. And, if your adjusted gross income is less than $73,000, you can use the Internal Revenue Service’s Free File. You’ll be able to fill out and file your return for the 2022 tax year for free.

5. Free trees

You can nearly always find free trees in the spring, when you'll notice tiny seedlings growing in your lawn. If you want to plant bigger trees, however, organize a tree giveaway event and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) will reimburse you for native trees. You'll need to have a plan for caring for the trees once you get them. Request your trees (and a free tree-planting event tool) during the spring at the NWF website. The 2022 season is past but visit the website for the 2023 planting season.

You can also get free trees from some state and local governments, which often work in partnership with local tree-planting groups to encourage cultivation of native trees. Tree giveaways are especially common around Arbor Day and Earth Day, both in April. Some electric utilities also give away free trees since shade on a house can reduce energy consumption. On a web browser, search the name of your utility company plus “free trees” to see if a tree program is available locally.

6.Free bluebirds

OK, you can't order free bluebirds online — that would just be wrong — but you can build a home for them. Don't know how to build a bluebird house? The North American Bluebird Society has got your back. You can get free plans for a bluebird house on their website, as well as handy tips on how to attract them. Not sure if you have a bluebird in your area? Download Merlin, the free bird identity app from allaboutbirds.org.

7.Free books

Your local library is, of course, your go-to location for free books, and they often provide free e-books, audiobooks and video as well. If you don't have a library card (and why don't you?), find a Little Free Library near you with this handy locator tool.

You'll also get free plans to build your own Little Free Library, a weather-proof box — it typically resembles a large, freestanding mailbox — where friends and strangers alike can borrow and leave books day or night.

And if you’d rather build than read, check out Tool Libraries, which allow you to borrow a tool for a project rather than buy one.

8.Free coffee

If you need a java fix, but you’d prefer not to pay for it, you have options. You could join the Peet’s Coffee Rewards — called Peetnik’s — and get 125 points after your first purchase. That’s enough for a free beverage. Join the Starbucks rewards program and you’ll get a free coffee on your birthday as well as free refills on your brewed coffee or tea. There is no charge to sign up for either rewards program.

9.Free movies

If you don't want to pay for sites like Hulu or Netflix, you have plenty of others where you can watch movies for free — and many of the available movies are quite good. Crackle.com, and TubiTV are good places to start. You'll have to watch a few ads in exchange for getting to see the movies — but, hey, they are free of charge.

10.Free birthday stuff

Everyone likes to celebrate a birthday, and you can celebrate yours — typically, by joining a rewards program. Chili’s rewards will give you free dessert on your birthday. In fact, just about every restaurant chain has a birthday gift for people who join. And Denny’s will get you a free grand slam birthday breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon or sausage).

But it’s not only restaurants that give out birthday gifts. Sephora promises a free birthday makeup or skin care gift for members of its Beauty Insiders club. The Body Shop will give you a $10 coupon on your birthday if you join the Love Your Body Club. DSW will give you a $5 coupon on your birthday month, provided you join DSW VIP.

11.Free samples

Got allergies? Sanofi will send you a free sample of Xyzal, its allergy relief medicine. Keeping the neighborhood away with your snoring? Get a free sample of Breathe Right Strips. You can also get free samples of Mane ‘N Tail products just by asking. 

You can also get free food samples by mail. Truvia, the artificial sweetener, will send you a sample plus a $1 coupon. Love Corn will give you a free pack of its Love Corn snacks if you register at its website.

12.Free music

Soundcloud will give you free MP3 downloads of many artists for 30 days, although not entire albums at a time. Last.fm will also let you stream or download music for free. 

Did you see the Tedeschi Trucks Band concert on Oct. 3, 2010, at the Bourbon Street Ballroom? You can listen to it again at the Internet Archive, along with hundreds of other shows by the band. The site has hundreds of free streaming concerts online. It also has free books, video, and software.

Another site, Sugarmegs Audio, has — not surprisingly — hundreds of Grateful Dead concerts. But it also has shown by The Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, The Who, Steely Dan, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, the Wallflowers and more.

(Source: New York Times)

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