Friends,

Ramadan Mubarak! Beginning this week, Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, a month of special prayers, fasting, and increased charity. As we continue to confront the pandemic and its consequences, this year’s observance has been made more keen and special because it has focused our attention on family, blessings, and the need for compassion for the suffering of others.

Thank you to each of you who continues to provide care, compassion, and charitable support for the community around you in these challenging times.

In this week’s newsletter, we have guidelines on filing federal and state taxes, as well as recognition of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and resources for those who have experienced sexual assault.

Filing federal and state taxes
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the filing deadline this year for all state and federal taxes has been pushed back to May 17. We know that filing taxes is often a bewildering process, and below are some guidelines for how you and your family can make sure to have your taxes filed correctly by the deadline.

Filing Virginia state taxes

You can find tips on filing your Virginia state taxes at this website. [link removed] To file your taxes online, you need the following:
An active email address.
A copy of last year’s tax return available (you’ll need last year’s federal adjusted gross income, if applicable).
Your Virginia driver’s license or Virginia identification card - providing this information helps to process returns more quickly.
All your W-2s, 1099s, and other income and withholding information. Don’t rely on year-end pay stub information; it may not match your employer’s records.
Forms 1095-A, B, or C (your healthcare information).
Information related to any credits you’re claiming.
Your banking information.
Once you’ve gathered all of the necessary information, you can file online from the options here. [link removed] Be sure to look through all of the options; depending on your income, you may qualify for free online tax filing.
Filing federal taxes

You can find tips on filing your federal taxes at this website. [link removed] You will need the following:
A W-2 form from each employer
Other earning and interest statements (1099 and 1099-INT forms)
Determine if you are taking the standard deduction or itemizing your return; if you are itemizing your return, you’ll need receipts for charitable donations and medical and business expenses.
Choose your filing status. Filing status is based on whether you're married. The percentage you pay toward household expenses also affects your filing status.
Decide how you want to file your taxes. The IRS recommends using tax preparation software to e-file for the easiest and most accurate return. You can find a list of e-file resources here. [link removed]
File your taxes by May 17, 2021. If you owe money, you will be able to apply for a payment plan.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April brings with it a renewed focus on the difficult yet necessary work of recognizing the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, and the prevention work that still remains to be done. Only by striving for full awareness of the issue can we begin to combat it in all its forms.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with the trauma of sexual assault, harassment, or other domestic or dating crimes, below is a list of some available resources. Asking for help can be difficult, but no one should have to face their trauma alone.

Sexual Assault and Harassment:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: a service of RAINN
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Spanish online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Helpline for Male Survivors: a service of 1in6
Online chat hotline [link removed]
National Street Harassment Hotline: a service of Stop Street Harassment
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 855.897.5910
DoD Safe Helpline: a service for members of the U.S. military and their families, operated by RAINN for the Department of Defense
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 877.995.5247
Domestic Date and Violence:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 800.799.SAFE
Love is Respect: a service of the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 866.331.9474
Other Victims of Crime:
VictimConnect: A service of the National Center for Victims of Crime, for all crime victims
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 855.4.VICTIM (84-2846)
National Human Trafficking Hotline: a service of Polaris
Online chat hotline [link removed]
Telephone hotline: 888.373.7888
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Telephone hotline: 800.THE.LOST (843-5678)
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance [link removed]
Contacting our office
As always, if you need assistance, or if you want to schedule a Zoom or phone call with our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected].

— Ghazala Hashmi



 


--------------------------------------------------------------
| Paid for and authorized by Friends of Ghazala Hashmi |
--------------------------------------------------------------

Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
PO Box 72923
Richmond VA 23235 United States

Senator Ghazala Hashmi was elected to office in 2019 and is honored to represent the 10th Senatorial District (parts of Richmond City and Chesterfield County, and all of Powhatan County). She chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Public Education and is committed to issues of education, healthcare, housing, the environment, and social justice.






Contribute




If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [link removed].