Economic Stimulus Bill Authorizes Tax Rebates
Congress passed, and the President signed, the Economic Stimulus Bill which provides rebates to eligible individuals. The rebates are the centerpiece of the $152 billion package designed to jumpstart the U.S. economy. To learn more about the rebate – whether you are eligible and whether you will need to do anything to receive your check, visit the IRS website to read the published details.
WARNING:
Phishing Related to Issuance of Economic Stimulus Checks
The FBI warns consumers of recently reported spam email purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is actually an attempt to steal consumer information. The email advises the recipient that direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive their economic stimulus tax rebate. The message contains a hyperlink to a fraudulent from which requests the recipient's personally identifiable information, including bank account information. To convince consumers to reply, the email warns that a failure to complete the form in a timely manner will delay the issuance of the rebate check.
One example of this IRS spam email message is as follows:
"Over 130 million Americans will receive refunds as part of President Bush program to jumpstart the economy.
Our records indicate that you are qualified to receive the 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund.
The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account.
Please follow the link and fill out the form and submit before May 10th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.
Submitting your form on May 10th, 2008 or later means that your refund will be delayed due to the volume of requests we anticipate for the Economic Stimulus Refund.
To access Economic Stimulus refund, please click here."
CONSUMERS ARE ADVISED THAT THE IRS DOES NOT INITIATE TAXPAYER COMMUNICATIONS VIA EMAIL. IN ADDITION, THE IRS DOES NOT REQUEST DETAILED PERSONAL INFORMATION VIA EMAIL OR ASK TAXPAYERS FOR THE PIN NUMBERS, PASSWORDS, OR SIMILAR SECRET ACCESS INFORMATION FOR THEIR CREDIT CARD, BANKD, OR OTHER FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS.
Please be cautious of unsolicited emails. It is recommended not to open emails from unknown senders because they often contain viruses or other malicious software. It is also recommended to avoid clicking links in emails received from unknown senders as this is a popular method of directing victims to phishing websites.
If you have received an e-mail similar to this, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
_____________________________________________________
Message from the Managing Partner
They say that time is the greatest of all teachers... that nothing can take the place of experience.
It has been our experience that this is unquestionably the case with regard to matters of fiscal and managerial importance. The issues at stake and their successful resolution have ramifications throughout entire organizations, and throughout entire generations. Consequently, the greatest decision of all may very well be the firm you entrust to provide you with sound advice. When you engage the services of Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Company, LLP, you will have decades of experience and expertise at your disposal, all committed to one, very important goal: Your ultimate success.
Since 1956, Hawkins, Ash, Baptie and Company, LLP has been exceeding the expectations of our clients. The firm traces its roots back to the merging of Richard Hawkins' sole proprietorship and the partnership of James Ash and David Baptie in August of 1956. The dedication of the original partners has served as the foundation of the firm and is represented in our Mission Statement
At Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Company, LLP, we pride ourselves on our ability to objectively listen to your business concerns, and present a number of viable options. Some of these options may require a new and innovative approach that goes beyond what may be "tried and true". Given our financial background, we are able to objectively look at each individual situation, analyze trends, and point out warning signs before they become crises. After more than forty-nine years of certified public accounting and management consulting, we understand that some situations require more than a "formula" for an answer because every person, and every business, is uniquely different.
There is very little in life that is truly black or white. This is especially evident in the direction people and companies choose to follow financially. While there may be many appropriate choices with regard to direction, the true task at hand is determining which right direction is the best course of action to follow. And that's where the quality of our experience... of intuitively knowing what path to take, and how to make that journey... pays the highest dividends.
People like you want professionals like us to make a difference. Perhaps that's why more and more businesses and individuals turn to the professionals at Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Company, LLP. With six offices across Wisconsin and Minnesota, we are ready to provide you with unparalleled service on a local basis.
The proud legacy of assisting our clients identify and achieve their goals guides us everyday. I invite you to browse through our website to get a sense of our quality organization that we hope you will want to become a part of, either as a client or as a member of our team.
Steve Handrick
