Urban Views Weekly January 20, 2016

Jan. 20, 2016 Scholar of the Week - Skyler Dewitt

2016 Tax Filing Healthcare and Taxes Go Together

2 Urban Views Weekly | January 20, 2016 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

VOL. 9, ISSUE 3

Urban Views Weekly, LLC6802 Paragon Place, Suite 410Richmond, VA 23230Office: (804) 441-6255Fax: (888) 439-2534

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FUNdraising Good Times

Fundraising team building

Civic Beat

This is the fourth in a series focused on the prerequisites for fundraising success.We can do so much more together than we can alone. A fundraising team

– that includes board members, staff and volunteers – can transform your nonprofit. It will take time, energy and talent to build and manage such a team, but we believe it is worth the investment. Here’s what we have learned.Fundraising is most effective when managed by a fundraising leadership team. Creating this team will bring together those responsible for major components of your fundraising. Not everyone, but the leaders of each aspect of your fundraising. They should meet regularly to report on their progress and challenges. Members should work collaboratively to help your organization reach its fundraising goal. They should be empowered to make decisions, and the decisions made by this team should be respected and implemented by other fundraising volunteers and employees.A fundraising leadership team helps create accountability and transparency. Members are accountable to each other. Each member knows the commitments, roles, and responsibilities of all other members. There are no secrets. If there is a lull in gifts received, the full team knows about it. When new gifts are received, members know about it. When fundraising management reports are shared at meetings, team members can monitor the progress of fundraising

activities, ask pertinent questions, and work with each other to create new strategies and work-arounds. With a strong fundraising leadership team, the actions of staff, board members, and volunteers are open to review by team members. Financial progress and expenses are reported regularly at these meetings. Members have the opportunity to share information and coordinate their activities for the benefit of your organization, college or university. When you have engaged qualified volunteers to assist with fundraising, you will be amazed at the solutions they can come up with. The key to an effective fundraising leadership team is for it to be volunteer-led with support from staff. That means the fundraising chair leads the team meetings, not the executive director or the chief development officer. Staff members support the work of the fundraising chair by producing and distributing fundraising reports, and taking and quickly distributing minutes that accurately capture action items and next steps. If you have selected a qualified fundraising chair and clearly defined their responsibilities, you will be amazed how they can assist you in meeting your goals. They can do this because they have made them their goals. They are no longer helping your nonprofit; they are orchestrating and attracting people and resources for something they believe in. Next week: Qualities of an empowered team.Copyright 2016– Mel and Pearl Shaw For more fundraising and nonprofit management suggestions visit www.saadandshaw.com. When you are ready to work with fundraising counsel call us at (901) 522-8727.

I-95 Temple Avenue Interchange Improvements Project

City of Colonial Heights Pardon Our Dust

Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 5-7 p.m. (Inclement weather date: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016)

Colonial Heights Courthouse 550 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a “Pardon Our Dust”

public information meeting to discuss construction impacts and traffic management associated with the I-95 Temple Avenue Interchange

Improvements design-build project, which includes the replacement of a signalized intersection with a roundabout. More info:

i95templeimprovements.org

The meeting will be held in an open house format, with general information presentations at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. VDOT, design-

build team members, City of Colonial Heights and Kroger representatives will answer questions and provide information about construction phasing and traffic impacts during the multi-year project.

Construction work is expected to begin in spring 2016 and the contract completion date is in fall 2017.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights

Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT’s

Civil Rights Division at 434-856-8168 or TDD/TTY 711.

State Project: 0095-106-122, P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: NH-095-1(278)

www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

3 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com Urban Views Weekly | January 20, 2016

When she was 7 years old, Skyler Dewitt chipped one of her front teeth. When she went to the dentist, after seeing how they made her teeth look brand new, she knew she wanted to be a dentist. Later, she looked into other options in the dental field and she decided to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. To see what it would be like, she often informally shadows one of her own dental hygienists when they are working on her siblings’ teeth.

The next step in Skyler’s path to becoming a dental hygienist is to continue her education at Virginia Commonwealth University. One lesson Skyler will take with her to college is “if something gets hard, then don’t give up. Just find a different way around it.” While this is not always the easiest thing to do, Skyler’s creative mind helps her figure out alternative ways to get through a challenge. Other than the school’s dental program, another reason Skyler chose VCU is because of the school’s partnership and proximity to the Children’s Museum of Richmond, where she currently volunteers. “I put all my time and effort into there because I just really enjoy being around children,” Skyler said. “The kids are throwing temper tantrums, trying to get what they want, and so you find different ways to calm them down.” Skyler has an interest in being a pediatric dental hygienist. Working at the museum offers her a chance to see the different sides of children and learn different techniques of working with them. Skyler’s main goal is to make sure children are not scared when it comes to taking care of their hygiene. Many of her own friends are

scared to go to the dentist because of what happened when they were younger. Skyler wants to change this.

Outside of maintaining her 3.97 GPA in school and volunteering at the Children’s Museum, Skyler is also busy as a competing member of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America organization and also works. In her free time, some of

her favorite things to do include spending time with friends, cooking and writing. Skyler’s passion for writing started when she was little. “I kind of felt like I had a lot of feelings trapped inside me, so sometimes I would just write and make different scenarios to try to express myself without having to talk to other people,” Skyler said. “It made me feel better and it also improved my writing skills and helped me out in school.” Fantasy writers, who incorporate realistic elements in their writing are typically who inspire her own

work.

One of her biggest influences is her mother. “She has always kind of shown me, if there’s something you really want, don’t let anything else get in the way,” Skyler said. When her dream of being in the dental field started at 7, Skyler’s mom showed her that financial reasons and what others said about the occupation should not change her mind and to “just keep pushing for what you want.” While things will not always be easy, Skyler’s mother taught her that she will be happy if she just keeps working toward what she wants.

Scholar of the WeekBy Janeal Downs

Skyler Dewittof Richmond Community

High School

GPA: 3.97

College of Interest: Virginia Commonwealth University

Major Community Service: Children’s Museum of Richmond Student Leadership Admission

Strong Interests: Dental Hygiene

Favorite Activities: Writing, cooking and spending time with friends

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Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better

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Go to UrbanViewsWeekly.com for application and details.

Watch for our Scholar of the Week segment, Wednesdays at 6:30 PM on


No matter what side of the political spectrum you find yourself on you cannot deny that what we are experiencing this season is an epic shift in the etiquette, decorum and conversation consuming the race and rhetoric of the 2016 presidential campaign. Qualifications and experience be damned, this year’s run is all about the fatigue the electorate “feels” towards the entire political establishment and the usual “players” in that game. Ordinary people are coming out in droves to rally behind the most unlikely of candidates, some of whom promote the most base and regressive ideology just to rile up the gathered crowds who seem hungrier than ever for “red meat.”

These politicians talk about being tired of trying to always be “politically correct” while simultaneously pointing out that America’s “problem is that ‘we’ have become too ‘politically correct!”’ What it seems they mean when they tout these assertions, as fact, really has to do with the ways in which America has changed over the decades and the multiplicity of voices and perspectives now demanding to be heard. The truth is while our democracy has been slowly, but with steady progress, including previously marginalized voices in the conversation about who we are as “Americans” and where we are going as a nation, it engages a full frontal challenge to the implications of what the dominant culture now refers to (often with disdain) as “political correctness.” The diversity of voices and perspectives currently at the table of dialogue will no longer allow the conversation to be dominated by discursive language that promotes false narratives and pejorative labels

or perspectives of the citizens and people who have been previously marginalized by this dominant culture. In other words, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, religious persecution and the like will not go down without a challenge. Not today. In 2016, you better come correct!

All this talk about “I like him because he’s telling it like it is!” is merely a veil for something far more sinister. This intentionally un-named champion of the so-called “truth” is merely taking a page out of the playbook from decades gone by when the language of racial hatred, segregation and intolerance was spoken profusely and publicly by not only elected officials and clergy but particularly those vying for public office. When exposed and called out as being counter to the platitudes and foundations of freedom and justice upon which this nation was built, that challenge was met with force and bloodshed. The struggle for freedom, liberty and justice for all has been long, hard and bloody. “And The Struggle Continues.” The political rhetoric in this season is often crass, complete with profanity, racial slurs, xenophobic and fascist ideology pouring from the platform of political speak, and replayed daily by the 24 hour media machine that no longer seems interested in veracity or truth telling. Political Personalities dominate the news cycle like clips and sound bytes from Entertainment Tonight. The hope is that the voting public takes the gravity and importance of electing

the President of the United States more seriously than the hoards of people gathering to applaud candidates who openly tout racism and misogyny while inciting mob violence against voices of dissent.

Up Next Week: The Naysayers...don’t tell the truth

ViewPointsBy Dr. T

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.Founder and Artistic DirectorThe Conciliation Project andAssociate ProfessorVirginia Commonwealth UniversityDrT@Margins2theCenter.comwww.theconciliationproject.org

Come Correct- Politically or Otherwise

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll

The 2016 Presidential campaign is in full swing. While the current cast of primary hopefuls are fighting for the nomination, the eventual nominees of both parties will then turn their efforts to wooing the all important independent voter.

How about you? Do you identify with a political party, or are you an independent voter?Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

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Whether you’re talking about diet, exercise or money, keeping New Year’s resolutions is challenging. A University of Scranton researcher noted that “weight loss” is the current reigning resolution, followed by “improve finances” at No. 2.

And while the study showed that roughly 40-46 percent were successful in their specific goal at the six-month mark, more than half gave up.

Your personal finances need more dedication than that.

If you want to add some fairly easy money resolutions that can help your finances overall, consider the following:

Make your first budget or do a better job of reviewing the one you have. A 2013 Gallup survey reported that only one-third of Americans actually prepare a detailed household budget. Make your first resolution to create or review your household budget so you know where your finances stand at all times.

Budgeting involves day-to-day tracking of finances, but having a quick way to determine your net worth – your assets minus your liabilities – offers the biggest picture of how you’re doing and what next steps you might take to improve your circumstances. Make this calculation an annual kickoff to the New Year.

Having an emergency fund means you’re always ready for the unexpected. The average emergency fund generally covers three-to-six months of daily expenses – yours could be more or less. Keep in mind that the primary purpose of an emergency fund is to keep you away from savings when unexpected expenses happen.

Depending on your comfort level with all things digital, virtually every aspect of your financial life can be managed online or with computer-based software. From

setting up a basic paper or online calendar to track pay dates, bill due dates and deposit dates for savings and investments, a daily series of reminders and action items will keep your money issues on time and on track.

Recommit to retirement. If you’re employed or self-employed, here’s how to make a retirement savings resolution stick. First, make sure you’re signed up for a 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plan at work or a corresponding SEP-IRA, self-directed 401(k) or other self-employment retirement plan that fits your tax and financial situation. Then check what your 2016 maximum contribution (www.irs.gov) is for your respective plan. Finally, through budgeting or a plan to bring in more income, determine how you can come as close to your maximum contribution as possible for the coming year. And of course, don’t forget about Traditional or Roth IRAs that

you can contribute to independently of work-based plans. All of these options can improve your retirement prospects while saving you considerable money on taxes.

Review your non-retirement benefits and insurance. For most employed and self-employed people, open enrollment for health and other company benefits wrapped up before year-end. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make notes at any point in the year for possible changes and improvements to your health insurance and related tax-advantaged accounts. The same goes for reviewing your personal home, auto, life and disability coverage for potential savings and/or better coverage. Qualified advisors can help you review these choices.

Find more money to save. Whether it’s adjusting what you spend, paying off expenses or finding ways to bring in more income, saving more is one of the best financial objectives there is. The first step is to track and set spending limits – those limits will help you reset or eliminate expenses that are standing in the way of your goals.

Bottom line: Making New Year’s resolutions always sounds like a good idea at the time, but keeping them requires determination, study and focus. This year, build the kind of money habits that position you for success.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

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6 Urban Views Weekly | January 20, 2016

Health insurance becomes a major issue in filing federal taxes

Affordable Care & Taxes

When President Obama signed into law new healthcare reform in March 2010, he wasn’t solely overhauling America’s healthcare landscape as we knew it, but also our tax system.

The Affordable Care Act created a variety of tax credits and penalties for both individuals and business owners that you must pay special attention to while filing your income taxes. The healthcare act includes several tax law changes that began impacting the tax system for 2013 federal income tax returns due April 15, 2014.

According to the National Association of Tax Professionals, here are the main takeaways from the tax adjustments caused by the Affordable Care Act:

• Employees report the total amount paid by them and their employer for health insurance premiums, flexible spending beyond payroll deductions and other premiums. This information must be reported on returns.

• For itemized deductions, the threshold for deducting medical expenses increases to 10 percent of your adjusted gross income.

• A 3.8 percent tax on net investment income is now applied to taxpayers at higher income levels based on filing status.

According to the IRS, taxpayers who bought 2015 insurance coverage through the Health Insurance

Marketplace should report changes in circumstances to the Marketplace when they happen. Doing so will help taxpayers receive accurate advance payments of the premium tax credit.

Receiving too much or too little in advance can affect the amount of your refund or how much you may owe when you file your tax return. To keep your taxes on the level and to avoid any surprises in April, follow the rules associated with your state’s marketplace.

Quick & Accurate Filing

Those who come prepared leave with few surprises. That could be a motto of tax professionals, who urge clients to keep track of vital financial information throughout the year.

Before you head to your tax preparer or start filling out your tax forms at home, be sure to compile all of the necessary information to properly complete

your return on time.

What You Will Need to File

Before visiting your tax preparer or sitting down to complete your forms on your own, be sure these materials are available and ready to reference:

• Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents• Birth dates for primary and secondary earners and dependents on the tax return

• Wage and earning statements (W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R forms) from all employers • Interest and dividend statements from banks (1099 forms) • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available • Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit • Other relevant information about income and expenses (such as total amount paid for day care, day care provider identifying number or tax ID).

Prepare Your Documents

If you’re a business owner, you should consider preparing monthly financial statements if you’re not already. This will help you better understand how your business is doing, financially speaking. There are plenty of professionals available to help you with the process, and planning throughout the year will make the year-end tax

7 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Health insurance becomes a major issue in filing federal taxes

By Bernard Freeman

continues on page 8

processes much easier.

Individuals should take the same approach, especially if they do freelance or contract work to supplement their regular income. Compile all of your invoices and payments to make sure you’re keeping accurate books.

Everyone’s home filing cabinet or online storage cloud should have copies of previous years’ tax returns. This will help you maintain consistent filing information from year to year and can keep you on track if you’re handling the filing of your own tax return.

Miscellaneous Deductions

You can deduct a broad range of your expenses to help lower your tax bill or even get a refund. Most of the deductions are subject to limitations, so be sure to check with a tax professional before submitting your list to the

Internal Revenue Service.

Your tax preparer can enter your information and determine if it’s better for you to itemize or take the standard deduction. This will depend on how many deductions you can come up with compared to the deduction that is standard for your tax bracket.

From the IRS, here is a list of possible expenses to deduct from your taxes this year:

• Union or professional affiliation dues;• Subscriptions to work-related magazines and other publications;• Business liability insurance premiums;• The cost of protective work clothing, such as safety shoes or glasses;• Tools and supplies used in your work; • Employer-required medical examinations;• Tuition for classes that maintain or improve the skills required for your present job;• Expenses for a job search, including resume costs, career counseling and employment agency fees;• Depreciation on your computer or cellular phone;• The fees your financial institution charges to maintain your IRA account;• Fees you pay to get your taxes done, or if preparing your return yourself, costs related to research, books or publications; and• Legal fees that you pay to protect your taxable income, including fees for assistance in helping you keep your job or for tax planning purposes.

Small Business Tax Tips

Running a small business has many perks, one of them being the amount of deductions you can pile up at tax time. Everything from mileage to independent contractor payments can help defray taxes.

Even if you’re not the most financially savvy entrepreneur, you can lean on a CPA or other tax professional to walk you through your tax returns, as well as to give you tips on making the most of your deductions and business expenses.

Small Business Computing offers a number of tips for small businesses at tax time, including keeping track of all business expenses throughout the year and always opting to deduct mileage instead of actual auto expenses. Here are a couple of others:

• Keep business and personal expenses separate, which means maintaining different checking accounts and credit cards for the business.

• Review the Small Business Jobs Act Tax, signed into law in 2010, which has nearly 20 initiatives aimed at decreasing the tax burden of small businesses.

Donations Are Deductible

Company donations of money, supplies and property are all deductible expenses, according to the Internal Revenue Services. As are bonuses awarded to your employees, partners and officers.


You also should consider devoting a portion of your time for professional development endeavors. By taking a class or seminar, you are not only broadening your expertise; you’re also creating a helpful tax deduction.

Tracking Your Personal Deductions

If you use your home for your business, you should be able to deduct mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs and depreciation.

If your business is a corporation or partnership, you can deduct actual expenses for non-personal use of your personal vehicle, according to the IRS. Actual expenses may include costs for fuel, maintenance and parking fees. Keep detailed mileage records comprised of date, total miles, tolls, parking and the purpose of the trip. This will help give your accountant plenty of information for filing your tax return.

Prevent Tax Fraud

Just like any form of identity theft, the tax-related variety can be a frustrating, scary experience. It occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.

This type of criminal act can go undetected until you receive an IRS notice or try to file your return. If your Social Security number has already been used to file a return, you will be rejected by your tax preparer’s system.

What can you do to make sure you’re not the next victim of tax-related identity theft? The key is being diligent about your personal information. The IRS has put

together a detailed list of common pitfalls that lead to identity theft. Follow them and incorporate the main points of emphasis into your everyday information protection efforts.

• The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email or social media to request personal or financial information, so any unexpected email purporting to be from the IRS is always a scam. Taxpayers are urged to forward any scam email claiming to be from the IRS to [email protected].

• Another example of a common scam is an urgent, unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent threatening you with arrest or deportation if you fail to pay immediately. Report these calls and other IRS impersonation schemes to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484 or online at IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting at treasury.gov.

• If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but does not begin with www.irs.gov, forward the link to [email protected].

Protect Yourself

The best way to protect your identity is through vigilance. Be mindful of what is going on around you. Do not routinely carry your Social Security card with you, and be careful about sharing your number.

The IRS urges Americans to check their credit on an annual basis, as well as their Social Security Administration earnings statement. Dramatic changes in either one of these documents can be a tipoff to illegal identify theft.

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Presiding with Passion is a program developed by the Virginia State Association of Parliamentarians (VSAP) to provide a development/certification program for presiding officers of non-profit organizations (sororities, fraternities, social clubs, service groups, church officers, etc.) It is designed to provide “hands on” training in presiding, based on Robert Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR).

It is a free initiative and the initial program will be limited to 12 persons. There will be two three-four hour sessions. In order to participate, you must commit to both sessions. Tentative Dates of the Program: March 12, (10-2) March 26, 2016, (10-2), held in Richmond.

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Believe this: “Energy Gets Opportunity.” That’s real E-G-O.Believe in change.Believe goals are reachable. Dreams without action are trees without leaves.Believe success has no color, age or zip code. Giving up is life’s easiest task.Believe creativity, good mentoring and coaching are as important to some as education.Believe timing. Your bus might be early, on time or late. Just be ready to climb aboard and take advantage of the ride. In this economy, there are fewer buses.

Believe a positive attitude brings positive results. Toss negative thinking, distractions, naysayers, doubt, fear and excuses.Believe critics are everywhere. Sometimes closer than you think.Believe yourself, but know the face in the mirror. Analyze yourself before others analyze you.Believe accountability and fair leadership are the keys to a successful business or team.Believe resilience wins. Mental toughness is a necessary trait. Not everyone has it.Believe success stories. “Cheer for the champions. Then become one.”

Believe this: “If you don’t create your own direction, others will help you stay lost.”Glenn Proctor, former editor of Richmond Times-Dispatch. Currently: motivational speaker, career adviser, coach and leadership trainer. For information email: [email protected]. Books available at www.REDDjobb.com

Believe!

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A good night’s sleep is sometimes all it takes to wake up the next day feeling ready to conquer the world.

Investing in a mattress is one way to improve your quality of life. Try sleeping on an old mattress. Chances are, you won’t feel rested in the morning. Sleep deprivation will affect your mood, health and job performance. A new, quality mattress that provides you with a restful night’s sleep is well worth the price.

Don’t be confused by the choices available. Take it a step at a time and you will find the perfect mattress. Ask your friends and family for recommendations, and then start browsing. Or you can scour the Internet for information and start narrowing your choices.

Purchasing a mattress is a long-term investment in your health and self-esteem. Don’t be afraid of looking at pricier options. Often, expensive mattresses may be on sale or part of a closeout event. Quality mattresses last longer, so you will not have to go through the trouble of buying another mattress in a year or two. Or worry as much about the mattress sagging and breaking down.

Consider your bed size. Is it time to buy a bigger bed? Perhaps you would like to sprawl out and relax.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind:

• Do you need a firm or soft mattress? People with a bad back, neck or leg pain,

or other circulatory problems might require firm support to keep their spines aligned. Other people prefer flexible support that fits the contours of their bodies.

• Do you sleep with another person? Mattresses made of memory foam might be beneficial, as it will give you a personalized experience without disturbing the other person’s sleep.

• Standard mattresses can exacerbate allergies if you are sensitive to lint, cotton, dust or dust mites. If you, or your partner, have allergies, consider getting a latex, foam or water mattress. You might also think about getting a hypoallergenic mattress cover.

When you are looking at actual mattress options, the following are popular choices:

• Pillowtop mattresses are famous for their softness; however, they do have levels of firmness. They also require a larger bottom sheet because the pillowtop adds to their extra thickness.

• Coil spring construction offers great choices for people who want a firm

mattress. This option has the ability to keep your spine aligned. Most mattress stores can show you samples of their product lines. Choose the best construction you can afford.

• “Memory” or high-density foam or latex mattresses are helpful if you have physical issues, such as skeletal pain or circulatory problems. This mattress conforms to the shape of the body. It also minimizes pressure points from the head, shoulders and hips.

• Adjustable air mattresses allow each person to change the firmness through electronic and mechanical devices that control air chambers. It is an ideal choice for partners who need to have different mattress preferences. You can also alter firmness for yourself, depending on your physical condition.

When shopping for a mattress, don’t be afraid of lying down and trying it out. Roll over and pay attention to how your body feels. Are you comfortable?

Inquire about the mattress guarantee or warranty. A standard warranty is 10 years. If the warranty is shorter or non-existent, look elsewhere.

Remember, your mattress is a long-term investment. Choose wisely and you will be rewarded with years of restful nights and energetic days.

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