Where to Find Tax Day Freebies in Lawrenceville

To help ease the pain of April 15th, many businesses are giving away goods or discounts to taxpayers.

If Uncle Sam took a big bite out of your wallet, some national businesses are providing some relief. Several around Lawrenceville are offering Tax Day discounts and even free items. Here's a round up of restaurants and retailers in our area offering deals on April 15th: --Do you know of any other businesses offering tax day freebies or discounts? Tell us in the comment section below.

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County Assessment Notices Could Cause Confusion

State-required notices to be mailed out April 5 do not reflect 2013 service districts.

Notices of current assessments for residential and commercial property owners in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett will be mailed out on Friday (April 5). But don't pay or estimate your taxes on it. Factors associated with the Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) settlement could cause confusion. In a news release, Gwinnett County officials say the notices that are required by state law do not reflect the 2013 service districts that were implemented as a result of the SDS settlement with the cities. County officials said the new millage rate will be set in the summer, after assessments and appeals are completed in the spring. Rates will be determined by a property’s location, which determines what services are provided by the county. Property taxes …

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Taxpayers Tired of Waiting for Refund Already

The Internal Revenue Service reports experiencing high traffic on its online “Where's My Refund?” tool.

The deadline to file tax returns isn't until April, but taxpayers appear to be filing early and are already asking, Where's my refund?"  “Due to the large number of inquiries and to avoid service disruptions, the IRS strongly urges taxpayers to only check on their refunds once a day,” the IRS said, according to a report by Accounting Today. “IRS systems are only updated once a day, usually overnight, and the same information is available whether on the Internet, IRS2go smartphone app or on IRS toll-free lines. While 'Where's My Refund?' is updated nightly, your account will not change that frequently.” According to the report, nine out of 10 taxpayers typically receive refunds in less than 21 days when they use e-file with direct deposit…

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Gwinnett Officials Ready to End 'Birthday Tax' on Car Sales

The tax ends on March 1 for car buyers, and a new 'title tax' takes effect.

Although other counties may be making special preparations, Gwinnett County tax officials say they are prepared for the coming tax change on auto sales. "We don't think we'll have a big problem" handling the routine of the new "title tax" that takes effect March 1, said Paula Martin of the Gwinnett tax commissioners office. On that date, the annual "birthday tax" expires for state vehicle owners who purchase a new vehicle. It means that people purchasing a vehicle will pay a one-time "title tax" -- 6.5 percent in 2013 -- as opposed to the annual ad valorem tax that is due on the vehicle owner's birthday. -- How do you feel about the new vehicle "title tax"? Will it change your car buying decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below…

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Timely Tax Advice: Tips Your Tax Preparer is the Wrong Person for the Job

Here are some signs you should look to someone else to prepare your taxes for filing.

According to a DailyFinance post, there are far too many tax preparers out there with good intentions who are too incompetent to do the job.  Warnings signs include someone asking you to lie about your charitable donations, the preparer not asking for the proper financial records and someone not giving you their credentials. Read the full list of signs, with details, by clicking here.  Looking for reputable tax professional in Barrow County? Click here to access the Barrow Patch Directory for businesses offering financial services.  You might also be interested in reading: 

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Gwinnett Tech Offering Free Tax Preparation

The Lawrenceville college and the AARP Tax-Aide team up to offer help from Feb. 1 – April 16.

Is It a Good Idea to Axe Tax Breaks for Parents?

If Congress can't reach an agreement, a number of tax breaks for parents could be on the chopping block.

CNN Money reports that four tax breaks for low-income parents could cease to exist soon. That means thousands of dollars that used to go back into your pocket after filing taxes, won't. For the Earned Income Credit, "low-income" is defined as a married couple with three kids making a little over $50,000 a year. If Congress fails to extend tax cuts before the end of the year, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit and American Opportunity Credit would be reduced or chopped, according to CNN Money. This isn't a done deal, but a definite possibility. What do you think about those tax breaks potentially ending? We have a significant amount of national debt -- should we try to plug the hole with more tax …

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Lawrenceville Keeps Same Millage Rate

The rate of 2.16 has been the same since 2009.

During a special call meeting Monday afternoon, Lawrenceville's City Council approved the millage rate at 2.16. This has been the same rate since 2009. In 2008, it was 2.20 and in 2.31 in 2007. For the full five-year history, please see the PDF in our media gallery to the right. Just click on the photo of City Hall.

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File Gwinnett Tax Appeals by May 21

If you think your Gwinnett County property tax assessment is too high, here's how to file an appeal.

  By now, most Gwinnett County property owners should have received an annual notice of assessment in the mail. This year, approximately 80,000 of the notices will reflect a lower assessment. The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices released on April 24 showed the metro Atlanta area experienced a 17.3 percent year over year decline in property values. The area has had five consecutive months of double-digit negative returns and the lowest annual return in its 20-year history, the release stated. According to a CNN Money report, housing prices nationwide are at their lowest since November of 2002. With short sales and foreclosures still weighing heavily on the Gwinnett County market, local housing prices have been negatively impacted. If …

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