Accessibility Tools

Image
Image

News

There are many organizations today that offer short-term volunteer vacation projects both in the U.S. and abroad, lasting anywhere from a few days to several months. Popular programs include teaching English, working with children and teens, building and repairing homes and schools, and assisting with community or environmental projects. These volunteer vacations also allow travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and connect with the local people. 

Most volunteer vacation groups welcome single travelers, couples and families, and you are not required to speak a foreign language. Costs will vary based on the type of volunteer program but usually range from around from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousands of dollars per week, not including transportation to the destination country. Fees typically cover pre-trip orientation information, accommodation and meals, on-site training, local transportation, the services of a project leader and a contribution to the community that covers material and services related to the project. If the organization running your trip is a nonprofit, and there is no recreational component, the cost of your trip is potentially tax-deductible. Consult your tax professional to learn more about any possible deductions available.

Where to Look

There are various companies and not-for-profit agencies that offer volunteer vacation opportunities both domestically and internationally. You may want to use your favorite search engine to find companies by using key search terms such as “volunteering vacations” and include the geographical area in which you are most interested. Look for voluntourism programs that align with your skills and values. You will want to look for well-established organizations and review the projects and accommodations within the particular program.

You may also want to prioritize organizations with transparent funding, that work collaboratively with local groups and have a history of positive impacts and sustainability. Check reviews and independent sources, consider volunteering with reputable local nonprofits as well. It is also important to verify visa requirements before committing.

How to Choose

With so many different volunteer vacation options to choose from, selecting one can be difficult. To help you decide, consider the following questions: Where do you want to go and for how long? What kind of volunteer work interests you? What type of accommodations do you prefer? Do you want to volunteer alone or with a group? Would you prefer a rural or urban placement? What are your age and health considerations, and do you have any special needs that must be met?

Once you figure out what you want and identify a few volunteer vacations that interest you, reach out to the organization to send you detailed information about the program. This should include accommodation details, a breakdown of the fees and what they cover (including their refund policy), the work schedule and responsibilities, and anything else you may have questions about. It may be helpful to obtain a list of previous volunteers and reach out to them to hear about their personal experiences before making a final decision.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

 

Published April 4, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded Taxpayers of the April 15 tax filing and payment deadline. If you are not in a disaster area, a combat zone or are living and working abroad, you are obligated to pay income taxes on April 15. If you do not pay your taxes on that date, you could be subject to interest and penalties.

Taxpayers should be certain to file by April 15, 2025. If you do not file, there is a late filing penalty that could be up to 5% per month on your unpaid tax amount.

If you are unable to pay in full, you should pay as much as possible by April 15. This payment will reduce the interest and tax penalty amounts. The current interest rate is 7% per year and the penalty rate is normally one-half of 1% per month. The IRS reminds Taxpayers that extending the filing date until October 15, 2025, does not extend the deadline to pay tax.

There are four basic plan options for individuals who are not able to pay taxes on April 15, 2025. These include a short-term and long-term plan, an offer in compromise and a temporary delay in payment.

  1. Short Term Plan — If your tax balance is less than $100,000, you may have up to 180 days to pay the balance in full.
  2. Long Term Plan — A long-term payment plan may be possible if you owe less than $50,000 in tax, penalties and interest. This plan typically involves monthly payments for as long as 10 years. The IRS suggests that Taxpayers should simplify the process by using an automatic bank withdrawal each month. The longer payment plan, however, will increase your interest and penalties.
  3. Offer in Compromise — Some Taxpayers may qualify for a reduced tax amount. You may check if this option is available with the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool on IRS.gov. By entering the required information, you can understand whether or not you may qualify for a reduced payment.
  4. Temporary Delay — Taxpayers who are experiencing serious financial hardships may ask the IRS to delay the collection process. If the IRS determines there are major financial issues and the Taxpayer is unable to pay, the IRS may grant a delay in payment. The IRS will assess interest and penalties until the payment is completed.

The IRS reminds Taxpayers who are unable to make full payment that they are more vulnerable to fraudsters. The IRS does not call, text or contact individuals to demand immediate tax payment. The normal IRS collection process starts with a bill or letter that explains the tax obligation and how Taxpayers may question or appeal that amount.

 

Published April 4, 2025

I am very concerned about identity theft. What can I do to protect myself?

The widespread reach of technology has led to growing concerns about identity theft. If your personal information falls into the wrong hands, it could lead to identity theft. Identity theft could result in fraudsters using your personal information to open credit card accounts, bank accounts and telephone service accounts or to make major purchases – all in your name.

If you suspect your personal information has been compromised or is at risk, it is advisable to place a fraud alert on your credit file. For enhanced security, consider implementing a credit freeze. A fraud alert is a notification placed on your credit report that prompts potential creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit in your name. A credit freeze completely blocks access to your credit report, preventing anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your explicit authorization. Fraud alerts and credit freezes are completely free to set up and remove, and neither action will affect your credit score.

A credit freeze provides significantly stronger protection than a fraud alert, but there is a drawback. When you freeze your credit, you will not be able to open new lines of credit or obtain a new loan while the freeze is activated. It does not affect your ability to use existing credit cards or other accounts that are already open. If you need to apply for a new credit card or some type of loan, you can temporarily lift the freeze on your account until your application is approved; then, you can refreeze it at any time.

Fraud Alert Set-Up

To set up a fraud alert, you will need to contact one of the three major credit reporting bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – either by phone, online or by mail. You only need to contact one of these agencies, and they will notify the other two. Here is the phone and website contact information for each of the three bureaus.

  • Equifax: 800-685-1111 or Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
  • Experian: 888-397-3742 or Experian.com/help
  • TransUnion: 888-909-8872 or TransUnion.com/credit-help

Even if you have not been a victim of identity theft, it is advisable to set up an “initial fraud alert.” This alert lasts for one year and can be renewed annually.

Credit Freeze Set-Up

To set up a credit freeze you will need to contact each of the three credit reporting bureaus mentioned above – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A credit freeze remains in place until you choose to unfreeze it. Keep in mind that, before applying for a new credit card or loan, you will need to temporarily lift the security freeze by following the procedures provided by each credit bureau.

You can monitor your credit file by regularly reviewing your credit report, even if you choose not to establish a fraud alert or a credit freeze. You can also obtain a free credit report each week from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

 

Published April 11, 2025

The April 15 tax deadline is rapidly approaching. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers they should promptly file their tax return. The best practice is to file a return electronically and request any refund directly to your bank account. Electronic filing reduces taxpayer errors and will speed up receipt of your tax refund.

  1. Electronic Filing Options— Taxpayers with incomes of $84,000 or less in 2024 may use the IRS Free File software. In addition, Free File Fillable forms are available to all taxpayers, regardless of their income level. Taxpayers in 25 states may use the IRS Direct File program if they have a simple return. The IRS also supports the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. For members of the military, the Department of Defense offers the MilTax program for members at no cost.
  2. Where's My Refund?— The “Where's My Refund?” tool is typically updated within 24 hours after an electronically filed tax return. You will need your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount to check your refund status.
  3. Payment Options for Taxes— There are multiple payment options for those that owe taxes. You can use Direct Pay to make a transfer from a checking or savings account, or make a payment through an IRS Individual Online Account. Taxpayers may also pay using a debit card, credit card or digital wallet. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is another option to accept payments. Additionally, you can also pay by check, money order or make a cash payment through a retail partner.
  4. Unable To Pay Taxes— If you experience financial problems and owe less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest, you may create a payment plan which provides you with 180 days to pay in full. If you owe less than $50,000, you can create a long-term payment plan. Under this plan, your monthly payments may be stretched out for up to 10 years.
  5. Extension to October 15— Taxpayers who cannot complete their filing by April 15 may receive a six-month extension until October 15. All taxpayers, regardless of income, may use the IRS Free File program to file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If you make an electronic payment using Direct Pay or a debit or credit card, you qualify for an extension. The tax payment is due on April 15 even if your filing date is extended to October 15.

There are exceptions to the filing and, in some cases, to the payment deadlines. These may apply to taxpayers who serve in an active combat zone, live outside the United States or live in certain disaster areas. Contact your tax professional or go to IRS.gov if you think you may qualify for one of these exceptions.

 

Published April 11, 2025

FOLLOW US

vimeo logo

ADDRESS

Washington County
Community Foundation
Suite 100
1707 North Shelby Street
Salem, Indiana 47167

CONTACT

AccreditedCF Seal   Donate Now