Tax Mobile Is Ready To Roll

The well-received IRS Tax Mobile will hit the road again in Eastern Washington next month.

The 30-foot coach manned by two agents begins its swing at Newport on March 21 and progresses through Walla Walla, Colville, Clarkston, Republic, Omak, Pullman, and Davenport.

Stops are also scheduled for Ellensburg, Wenatchee and Western Washington.

The agents can assist taxpayers with virtually any tax matter, and the coach is packed with all the required forms.

Electronic filing will also be available.

“The Tax Mobile was a great success last filing season,” IRS spokeswoman Judy Monaghan said. “Bringing it back demonstrates the IRS’ commitment to serving its customers.”

Refunds obtained for violations

Twenty-four Eastern Washington residents were among those who received checks as compensation for overcharges or inappropriate charges levied by a bankrupt Oregon loan company.

The Washington Department of Financial Institutions recovered a total of $143,000 for 155 state residents victimized by Southern Pacific Financial of Lake Oswego, according to Mark Thompson, director of the agency’s Consumer Services Division.

The money, he noted, came from a surety bond, not the company. Amounts distributed ranged from $22 to $4,300.

Division staff investigating Southern Pacific turned up violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act as well as several federal laws. Most had to do with fee disclosures.

Department Director John Bley said success in recovering borrower funds is testament to the wisdom of requiring bonds.

“Without the bond, and the departments’s claim on behalf of consumers, these refunds would never have been made,” he said.

WUTC creates consumer Web site

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has created a new Web site where consumers can obtain “survival kits” on telephone, electricity, natural gas, water and garbage companies.

The kits include information about choosing and starting a service, reading bills and understanding the newly competitive market.

For example, the site contains tips on shopping for long-distance telephone service and pre-paid phone cards, or how to discourage telemarketers.

Online forms for filing service complaints are also available. And visitors can comment on matters before the commission, such as rate proceedings.

The site address is: www.wutc.wa.gov/consumer.