Taxpayers Get Extra Time To File Returns

It’s crunch time for taxpayers who still haven’t finished work on their 1999 federal income tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service expects returns to be mailed by midnight tonight. After that, you’ll face penalties unless you’ve requested an extension and paid estimated taxes.

Those with last-minute questions or who need forms to complete their returns can get help today at the IRS office in the U.S. Courthouse, 920 W. Riverside. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

IRS phone lines are open 24 hours a day. Dial 1 (800) 829-1040. Or get answers to questions and download forms online by visiting the IRS Web site: http://www.irs.gov.

In other events this week:

Monday

The Spokane International Trade Alliance presents a seminar on “Asian Development Bank Business Opportunities” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hotel Lusso, 1 N. Post. Cost: $30, including materials and lunch; for information, call 459-4123.

Tuesday

About 70 Spokane-area employers will exhibit at the SCC Job Fair from 8 a.m. to noon at the SCC Lair-Student Center, Building 6, 1810 N. Greene. For information, call Christy Doyle at 533-8123.

Wednesday

The Columbia Basin Development League meets at 6:30 p.m. at Michael’s on the Lake in Moses Lake. For information, call (509) 346-9442.

* The Better Business Bureau of the Inland Northwest presents a workshop on the basics of quality customer service from 8 a.m. to noon at the Red Lion Inn in Lewiston. Cost: $45 for members, $65 for nonmembers; for information, call 1 (800) 248-2356 or (509) 838-3841.

* The web-design firm Webiness presents a free class on “Webology 101: Just Because You Build It Doesn’t Mean They’ll Come” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree Inn Spokane Valley. Call Karen at 755-9324, ext. 238.

Thursday

The Spokane International Trade Alliance and the Inland Northwest Trade Council present a session on “Challenges and Opportunities in International Exhibiting” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Cost: $12; to register, call 744-3692.

* A Focus 21 Investor Forum on “Business Retention and Expansion” is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Whitworth College, 300 W. Hawthorne. For information, call 459-4113.

* “Hiring and Retaining Quality Employees” is the focus of a Breakfast for Your Brain session presented by the Service Corps of Retired Executives from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. in Suite 240 of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. Cost: $15, $10 for chamber members; for reservations, call 353-2800.

* The Armed Services Committee of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 44th Annual Military Persons of the Year Award Luncheon at noon at the DoubleTree Hotel City Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court. Cost: $17.50; for reservations, call 459-4111 by noon Tuesday.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Flight to quality

Business Week, April 17: Wild swings on Wall Street don’t necessarily signal a pending crash, the magazine says in a cover story, but may instead reflect a flight to quality.

Mutual Funds, April issue: Feature story explores ways to “Unlock Your Web Power” and use the Internet to invest smarter and reap higher returns.