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MJ Morning Show

MJ Morning Show

MJ Morning Show

Tax Prep Help Available For Qualifying Suncoast Residents

Roxanne featured
Author Roxanne Wilder
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 22: A copy of a IRS 1040 tax form is seen at an H&R Block office on the day President Donald Trump signed the Republican tax cut bill in Washington, DC on December 22, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Kathy Pickering, vice president of regulatory affairs and executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block released a statement about the new tax bill saying, " It's going to change the way you think about and plan your income taxes. You'll need to take a fresh look at your individual situation to know your outcome and new strategies to use to get the best tax outcome." (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Did you know United Way Suncoast has an incredible “VITA” program to help process tax returns for thousands of people living on the Suncoast?

In 2023, United Way Suncoast’s VITA program processed tax returns for nearly 10,000 people on the Suncoast. This brought in $13.8 million in returns, tax credits, and savings to residents in the five-county footprint. United Way Suncoast is ready to improve on those numbers in 2024 and make even more of an impact.

Here’s how one is able to qualify. If you are part of any household with annual earnings of $79,000 or less, you can qualify for free tax preparation services. Helpful volunteers work hard each year helping folks prepare their returns.

United Way Suncoast focuses on families living paycheck to paycheck, which are called ALICE families. VITA is so important when it comes to helping these families steady their finances.

The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit are key components in helping families find tax relief.

Tax-A-Thons Scheduled To Provide Tax Help On Suncoast

There are two Tax-A-Thons coming up locally. First, there is a Tax-A-Thons scheduled for Feb. 10 that will serve residents of Sarasota and Manatee county. Then another Tax-A-Thon event will take place on Feb. 17 for residents of Hillsborough and Pinellas. Go online and make an appointment to be seen at the event to make it easier and prepare to spend an hour in your appointment.

You can get tax preparation help if you are a qualifying Suncoast resident. You can find out more by listening to Roxanne Wilder’s interview with Margarita Sorah who works for United Way Suncoast.

13 Tax Free Hurricane Supplies During Tax Holidays For 2023

The state of Florida has “Disaster Preparedness” sales tax holidays, the first beginning Saturday, May 27. For this year’s hurricane season, it’s not the only one. Here are details on the dates and what tax breaks from which you can take advantage.

There will be TWO “Disaster Preparedness” tax holidays that have been created by the state. The first one begins Saturday, May 27 and runs through June 9. The second comes later in the season from August 26 through September 8.

Related: 5 Things You Should Have Before Hurricane Season Starts

While there’s no emergent threat of any storm heading towards Florida any time soon, there have been some disturbances in the tropics already. It’s always best to be prepared before hurricane season starts. We remember a lot of people running around town gathering supplies before Ian hit. Don’t let that be you this year!

During the Disaster preparedness sales tax holidays, tax may not be collected during the dates set by the state on certain items listed in the bill. Here’s the list of what is tax free during the tax holiday.

  • A portable self-powered light source with a sales price of $40 or less.

    Flashlights and battery powered lanterns are a must during power loss.

    Flashlights and lanterns costing $40 or less

    Andrew M./BBGI.

  • A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less.

    Be sure you have fresh batteries available.

    Portable Radio

    (Andrew M./BBGI)

  • A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.

    Great for roof damage or just to keep items dry.

    Tarp

    (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.

    Be sure to remember: engine fuel does have a shelf life. The time does vary based on the type of fuel you use.

    Fuel tank

    A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
    (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.

    Check all of your battery operated devices to be sure you have the types of batteries you’d need in case of emergency.

    Batteries

    A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.
    (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.

    In fact, multiple moderate sized coolers can be great for food storage.

    Hurricane supplies: coolers

    A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
    (Photo by Kat Wade/Getty Images)

    They can also be good to keep electronics and paperwork dry.

  • A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.

    Remmeber: NEVER use a generator indoors. This should be combined with the use of a carbon monoxide detector.

    Portable generators

    A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
    (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.

    Just a sample of what you can find. There are all sorts of power banks available. Also, be sure that you have the right cable for your Android or iPhone.

  • Other items that may be necessary in case of a hurricane:

    A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less. Reusable ice with a sales price of $20 or less. A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less. A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less. An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less.

    MJ's Carbon Monoxide Detector

    MJ’s Carbon Monoxide Detector
    (Photo by MJ)

  • The following supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets purchased for noncommercial use:

    1. Bags of dry dog food or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $100 or less per bag.

    2. Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.

    3. Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less per item.

    4. Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item.

    5. Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item.

    6. Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item.

    7. Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item.

    8. Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $25 or less per item.

    9. Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item.

    10. Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package.

    11. Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package.

    12. Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package.

    13. Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item.

  • Common household consumable items with a sales price of $30 or less. For purposes of this exemption, common household consumable items means:

    1. The following laundry detergent and supplies: powder detergent; liquid detergent; or pod detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, stain removers, and bleach.

    2. Toilet paper.

    3. Paper towels.

    4. Paper napkins and tissues.

    5. Facial tissues.

    6. Hand soap, bar soap and body wash.

    7. Sunscreen and sunblock.

    8. Dish soap and detergents, including powder detergents, liquid detergents, or pod detergents or rinse agents that can be used in dishwashers.

    9. Cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays.

    10. Hand sanitizer.

    11. Trash bags.

Roxanne is a co-host on the MJ Morning Show and host of Middays on Q105 in Tampa Bay. She also hosts segments on The Current, which features local feel-good stories and health and wellness segments, and airs on five of the six Tampa-based Beasley Media Group stations. Roxanne has conducted hundreds of interviews, from athletes to Oscar winners, including Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Chadwick Boseman. She also specializes in media training, having worked with clients in the NFL, NBA and WWE for television, in print, and online. Roxanne is a published author and will be releasing a thriller novel in 2024. Her favorite thing in the world is being with her two daughters and husband. As a content creator for Q105, Roxanne writes about family activities in the Tampa Bay area, as well as reviews for local restaurants and travel.

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Roxanne featured
Author Roxanne Wilder
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