Unemployment recipients,take heed

The US Senate has proposed extending unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks for jobless,and up to 26 weeks for those who live in states with the highest rates of unemployment,which does not affect me personally,but will benefit alot of people who still haven't been able to find suitable employment.
However,there seems to be a misconception among some recipients that they do not have to pay taxes on unemployment compensation and that is so WRONG!I had someone tell me personally they collected benefits for several months and did not report it when they filed their tax returns,and they received refunds-totally oblivious to the fact that Unemployment Insurance reports those benefits to the IRS and State Comptrollers,and once they catch up with the person,their nightmare will begin.Typically,although they will deduct taxes from your benefits if you specify it,the majority of recipients do not opt to pay,failing to realize that they will end up OWEING taxes at the end of the year on those unemployment checks.A relative of mine who works in a seasonal industry and collects unemployment for the months he cannot work found this out the hard way-once he started working again the IRS placed an attachment on his wages for taxes due and took him to the cleaners for the tax debt,as well as late fees and penalties.He now has taxes deducted from his checks before he gets dime number one and has not had the problem again.
Please remember-unemployment benefits ARE taxable and once you owe the IRS,they WILL go after you for the money owed-as will the state.Don't end up paying more than you have to by putting it off because it will come back to bite you in the butt!

Federal tax rebates approved by House 385-35

The US House of Representatives has approved the proposed 146 billion dollar federal tax rebate package by an overwhelming vote with little debate today,but it still has to go through the Senate and word has it they will drag it out because they cannot agree on the terms of the rebate.The current rebate,as it stands,would provide the average married couple a rebate of $1,000,with an additional $300 for each child,providing their income falls under 150k a year.Single taxpayers would get $500 if they make under 75k a year.Unlike the House,some Senate members are pushing for rebates for those who would not benefit under the plan passed by the House-the very wealthiest taxpayers.Some Senate members have "wish-lists" they want to add to the economic stimulus package that includes food stamps,Medicaid and energy assistance for low-income people.Excuse me????Don't they get enough free sh*t from us working people?I am really starting to get disgusted with the Democrats because whenever the economy goes south,their first thought is to increase public aid!Food stamps and other entitlements are what is breaking the bank already,people!A bad economy doesn't affect those who get all those entitlements,because the tax money sucked out of working peoples pockets go to pay their electric bills,medical bills,rent AND food.What more do they want?They already get huge tax returns because they work as little as possible so they can get those government entitlements-therefore,"on paper",they are low income and qualify for EIC and all that other happy stuff.There is something wrong with our tax system when a man supporting a family of 3 on 40k a year with no government aid gets a meager $1500 refund,yet someone who works a PT job with government paid daycare,food,electric,housing and medical cards gets a windfall of 3 or 4 grand!They should be required to forfeit some of their massive refunds to recoup the costs incurred by John Q.Taxpayer to support them and their families.Instead of throwing more money at an outdated,unequal,and over abused welfare system,give more back to the people who are hurting in this country-you know,those of us who do it all by ourselves and don't expect the government to keep us fed.The first of the month in December,after the last government checks are sent out,you can't get near an H&R Block office for all the "entitled"people lining up to get "rapid refunds" so they can walk outta there with a loaded debit card.Sorry,they get enough!

Let's hope good sense prevails and the Senate speeds it through so we can start getting our checks-I sure won't turn down a grand!