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Dear John,
Now that we have kicked off 2023, you can start filing your tax returns. Employers have until January 31 to issue your income statements (your W-2 or 1099) and then, once received, you can start the returns process.
The IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate Service has prepared the below tip sheet for filing your federal taxes this year. If you need additional assistance, Rhode Islanders can call the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 401-528-1921 and access more resources here.
Updates from Rhode Island
Brunch with Temple Emanu-El
I had a wonderful Sunday morning at Temple Emanu-El filled with thoughtful conversation with the Boomers and Beyond Group over brunch. Thank you for having me an bringing us all together to discuss important issues to Rhode Islanders and seniors.
RI Latino Dollars for Scholars 29th Annual Awards Banquet
On Thursday night I had the privilege of joining Latino Dollars for Scholars for their 29th Annual Awards Banquet and to celebrate the 24 college-bound awardees.
Ensuring that Rhode Island’s next generation of leaders have the resources they need to succeed is one of our most important responsibilities as a community. The devoted volunteers and supporters of LADO take this duty very seriously, and their work is helping generations of Latino students access higher education. These students are the future of our state and of our country, and I am are so excited to see all they will accomplish.
Higher education is one of the key tools and opportunities that helps more Rhode Islanders get ahead, which is why we all share the responsibility to remove the barriers – especially financial barriers – that can block access to education for too many Rhode Islanders and Americans across the country.
A Conversation on the Rhode Island Civic Health Index
This afternoon, I joined National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Chair Shelly Lowe, the Rhode Island State Council on the Humanities, Executive Director of Tomaquag Museum Lorén M. Spears, and Senator Reed for a discussion on the Rhode Island Civic Health Index, at the Providence Public Library.
The 2022 Rhode Island Civic Health Index reminded us of provides a key benchmark of where we are, where we can go, and how we can get there together. The report identifies areas of strength in our great state and areas needing improvement.
At a time when our society feels more divided than ever before, finding mutual understanding can be daunting. But, the humanities show us that we often have more in common with one another than we think – and that we can achieve more working together than in opposition.
The Civic Health Index emphasizes that we need to continue developing strong community connections, increase public participation in our non-governmental institutions, and strengthen our understanding of civics, history, the media, and literacy.
The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities does an outstanding job supporting our state’s civic organizations, preserving our history, and broadening our student’s education. None of this would be possible without the crucial support of the NEH and the work they do on the federal to provide funding and support for these programs. I will continue to support these vital programs and the funding they need to strengthen our communities.
Updates from Washington, D.C.
The Republican Majority’s First Week in Charge
In their first week in the House majority, Republicans have made clear their agenda – and it is not what the American signed up for. I spoke on the House floor on Thursday morning expressing my concerns that the Republican majority is not working for the American people, but instead is pursuing an extreme agenda that puts politics and power over the people.
A Republican Bill to Make it Easier for Tax Cheats
The very first piece of legislation that House Republican’s passed in the majority was the misleadingly titled “Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act.”
Small Businesses are the backbone of our communities and there is no question they need our support and protection.
But, despite its title, this bill doesn’t promote or help small businesses. Instead, it protects the wealthiest and most well-connected Americans, enabling them to cheat on their taxes without consequence. By cutting funding meant to bolster the IRS’s ability to investigate, audit, and ensure everyone is paying their fair share, this legislation is projected to cost American taxpayers more than $114 billion.
If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle actually support small businesses and hardworking Americans, they would want everyone to pay their fair share and would be looking to give a tax break to those entrepreneurs and families, not the wealthiest few.
GOP’s Misguided Resolution Ignores the Real Threat to Abortion Providers and Patients
On Wednesday, House Republicans adopted H. Con. Res. 3, a misguided resolution that aims to distract from genuine threats to abortion providers and patients, legitimize fake women’s health centers (also known as crisis pregnancy centers), and further the Republican Caucus’s anti-choice agenda.
I unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, vandalism, and destruction of property. However, these acts are not all the same.
Graffiti on the side of a building is not comparable to the stalking of doctors and nurses and the assaulting of patients who try to access health care. I took to the House floor to ask all of my colleagues to join me in not only condemning the vandalism mentioned in this resolution, but also the countless acts of violence abortion providers and patients face every single day when they are trying to provide and accessing care in this country.
Free COVID Tests Via the Postal Service
The Biden Administration announced yesterday that households can once again order free at-home COVID-19 tests though the Postal Service this winter. You can order your tests at CovidTests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Help with Winter Heating and Utility Costs
As winter approaches, it’s predicted that we are going to see a higher-than-usual increase in home heating costs. To help keep these and other utility costs down, I want to share with you some resources and programs that are available through our federal, local, and state government.
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay their heating bills through federal grants to the household. There are two components to this program: Heating Assistance and Crisis Assistance.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps income-eligible households reduce heating bills by providing whole house energy efficiency services to households that qualify for LIHEAP. Some services available include installing insulation and providing health and safety measures including: installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, reducing drafts, and providing proper ventilation.
- The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is available for eligible low-income households through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted. LIHWAP helps eligible low-income households afford and maintain access to drinking water and wastewater services through federal grants. One-time payments are made directly to the household’s utility company.
- The Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HSRRP) provides a one-time service to eligible homeowners to increase the efficiency of their heating system, or replace it if necessary. Households that qualify for LIHEAP may be eligible.
As always, if you need help navigating or accesses these resources, or have questions about other resources that may be available to you, my staff and I are here to help. You can call us at (401) 729-5600 or email me at [email protected].
Important Passport & Travel Reminder
As more Rhode Islanders and people around the world get vaccinated and boosted, we are seeing an increase in both domestic and international travel. With travel resuming, many folks are looking to renew passports and this uptick in requests has led to a backlog at the State Department. Turnaround time, according to the State Department, for expedited processing is now at 3-5 weeks and regular processing is taking 6-9 weeks from submission to receipt.
Before booking international travel, please remember to check the expiration date on your passport and plan accordingly. Passports last for 5 or 10 years, depending on your age when the passport was issued. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
You can learn more from the State Department here.
As always, I am here to serve you. If there is anything I can do, please call my office at 729-5600 or send me an email at [email protected].
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