See Where Your Tax Dollars Are Being Spent

The "Your Federal Taxpayer Reciept" widget, attached here, tells literally how much of your tax dollar went where.

Tax day came and went nearly two weeks ago, but aside from receiving extra cash in a return, most residents don't know where their money goes in the federal government.  A new initiative from the White House is changing that. By entering information in the above form, taxpayers can see exactly what departments used their money This year marks the 100th anniversary of the modern income tax, instituted through the 16th Amendment in 1913. In 1913, instructions for the 1040 form were just one page. Today, instructions are 189 pages, along with dozens of additional schedules and forms. Click HERE for an interactive taxpayer receipt that shows how much of your tax dollars went to pay different aspects of the federal budget last year.

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'Violence Tax' Goes into Effect in Cook County

A lawsuit supported in part by Chuck’s Gun Shop in south suburban Riverdale is not enough to get in the way of President Preckwinkle’s new $25 firearm sales tax.

A $25 tax is being added to the purchase of all firearms sold in Cook County. The news comes in spite of a lawsuit filed by several Chicago-area gun dealers, including Chuck’s Gun Shop in Riverdale. The new tax, launched April 1, is part of a policy instated by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle to help fund the Cook County Health and Hospitals System. At their flagship, Stroger Hospital, more than 30 percent of the trauma center patients are gunshot victims, each costing roughly $50,000 to treat, according to Preckinkle. The $600,000 expected annual revenue from the tax will ideally help offset those costs, reports Sun-Times Media. "This new policy will help us provide more resources to our vital public health system, which on a daily…

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Where to File Your 2012 Taxes in Western Springs

Beyond TurboTax: Here's who can help you file your taxes before the April 15 deadline.

What are the IRA Contribution Limits?

Still working on your taxes? Confused about IRA contribution limits? Use this "cheat sheet."

With April 15 right around the corner, here's a handy "cheat sheet" for IRA contribution limits  Stratford Wealth Management and Green IRA..

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Where to File Your 2012 Taxes in Western Springs

Beyond TurboTax: Here's who can help you file your taxes before the April 15 deadline.

If you're not comfortable using TurboTax and TaxAct.com to file your taxes online, here are some local tax professionals who can help you out. But call soon for an appointment because the deadline is approaching fast. Are we missing any? Add them to the comments and we'll update this article.  Accounting Office of Paul Sulak, CPA  4365 Lawn Ave, Western Springs, 708-246-0940 Frank Munaretto R CPA 518 Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs, 708-246-1001 Kavooras and Bouzios, CPA 801 Burlington Ave, Western Springs, 708-354-2277 Nakhal Accounting & Tax Services 502 Hillgrove Ave, Western Springs, 708-246-0102 U.S. Heartland Property Tax Consulting 809 Burlington Ave, Western Springs, 708-784-9600 Looking for more options? See our listings in La …

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Poll: Will Western Springs Residents Get a Refund from the IRS?

Less Americans are getting a refund check from the IRS this year, CNNMoney reports. Some say it's a sign the economy is improving.

Only 59 percent of Americans say they’ll be receiving a refund check from the IRS this year, CNNMoney reports.. An American Express survey showed the percentage of people expecting money back from the government is down from 64 percent last year. More people say they are earning more and will owe money this year, which a sign the economy is doing better, CNN reports. Will you get a refund from the IRS this year, or do you expect to pay? Take part in our poll and start a conversation about the subject in the comments section.

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Popular on Patch: When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?

The IRS has announced a delayed start to the 2012 tax filing season. Here's the date of when you can file, plus some locations in La Grange, Western Springs and La Grange Park to get help on your taxes.

When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?

The IRS has announced a delayed start to the 2012 tax filing season. Here's the date of when you can file, plus some locations in La Grange, Western Springs and La Grange Park to get help on your taxes.

You'll have to wait if you are used to filing your annual tax return at the earliest possible date. The Internal Revenue Service has revised its opening date for tax season — pushing it back eight days to January 30, 2013. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15, 2013. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 30, 2013. Most taxpayers should be able to file on that date,  though some revised forms may not be immediately available. You can blame the delay on the federal "fiscal cliff" crisis and the new tax bill Congress passed just after Dec. 31. You can find more information in this Forbes article. Electronic filing season was originally set to start on Jan. 22 this year. As a result of the delay, nobody will get a refund in …

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Tax Talk with La Grange Trustees; Consensus Against Amusement Tax on Theatre

Trustees held a development workshop on revenues at Monday night’s Board meeting, mostly rejecting an amusement tax or sales-tax increase.

La Grange trustees largely shelved the proposed ideas of an amusement tax on the La Grange Theatre or a non-home rule sales tax hike at Monday night’s Board meeting, while mostly accepting the need for the maximum-allowed property-tax increase to continue. Trustees were holding a workshop to identify for Village staff the attitudes towards potential sources of revenue increases. The 2012-2013 Village budget dipped into deficit spending after the Board shot down a 1 percent utility tax increase in April. The idea behind an amusement or sales tax was to ease taxes specifically on residents and shift the burden somewhat onto visitors to the Village. Theatergoers and shoppers currently pay only a 0.25% non-home rule sales tax to La Grange, but…

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Readers' Choice: Best Place for Last-Minute Taxes

When the deadline is bearing down on you (as it may be right now,) who do you trust managing your money filings for Uncle Sam?

Welcome to Patch's "Readers Choice" series! Vote in the poll below and then tell us your choice (or who we might have missed) in the comment section. The "Last-Minute Taxes" poll will close at 9 a.m. Friday, Apr. 6, when a winning business will be announced! April is here, and that means April 17 is coming... and that means that, yes, your taxes are due. It's not exactly everyone's favorite time of the year, but it can certainly be made a lot easier by getting an expert on your side... and as luck has it, the Lyons Township area is a wealth of CPAs and others prepped and ready to help you navigate the tax waters. Help out your neighbors and your favorite accountant: of the following local money experts, who do you trust with your taxes? …

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