Jaycie Wakefield joins Archer Group as our newest Front Desk Coordinator. Jaycie graduated from Western Washington University with her Bachelor degree in fine arts.

Jaycie's duties include front desk customer service, telephone direction, data entry and other various clerical duties. Her helpful attitude and helping hand is a key factor to our front desk.

Welcome Jaycie!

Clint McDermott, a graduate from Western Washington University's Accounting program has joined Archer Group as a Tax Reviewer.

Clint has become a part of the team after many years' experience of tax review, research and tax preparation. His attention to detail and strong work ethic make him a valuable part of our team and an asset to our clients.

Welcome Clint!

Tax season is upon us! Our team is dilligently working on our valued client's tax returns.

If you are a current client and you have not turned in your tax information, please do so ASAP. The sooner you get your information to us, the quicker you will have your return.

If you are not a client, give us a call or email and experience first hand our stellar customer service and attention to detail.

This useful information is being passed on from The Bank of the Pacific

Warning: 2010 Census cautions from the Better Business Bureau; be cautious about giving information to Census workers

With the US Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureay (BBB) advises people to be cooperative but cautious so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 US Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually more than 140,000 US Census workers will count every person in the United States and gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

The big question is: How do you tell the difference between a US Census worker and an con artis? BBB offers the following advice:

If a US Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. ASK TO SEE THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND THEIR BADGE BEFORE ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS; however, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

At this time, Census workers are only knocking on doors to verify address information.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, CREDIT CARD OR BANKING INFORMATION TO ANYONE, EVEN IF THEY CLAIM THEY NEED IT FOR THE US CENSUS.

REMEMBER: No matter what they ask, you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address.

While the Census Bureau may ask for basic financial information such as salary range, you do not have to answer anything at all about your financial situation. THE CENSUS BUREAU WILL NOT ASK FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, BANK ACCOUNT OR CREDIT CARD NUMBERS; NOR WILL EMPLOYEES SOLICIT DONATIONS. Anyone asking for that kind of information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau has decided not to work with Acorn on gathering this information. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home; however, the Census Bureau will not contact you by email, so be on the lookout for email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an email that are supposedly from the US Census Bureau.

For more information on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org

Welcome to 2010! A new year means new beginnings and the start of tax season. Tax organizers will be mailed to our current clients in a few days. Please fill them out and get your information in to us as soon as possible. Remember: the sooner you bring in your information, the sooner your return will be processed!

If you are not yet a client, please contact us and inquire about receiving your tax planner.

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

FOR SALES OCCURRING AFTER NOVEMBER 6, 2009, THE ACT ESTABLISHES INCOME LIMITS OF $125,000 FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS AND $225,000 FOR MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINT RETURNS.

The income limits for sales occurring after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009 remain at $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayer filing joint returns.

Who is Eligible?

The $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only. The law defines 'first-time home buyer' as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. All US citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

Payback Provisions:

The tax credit is a true credit. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE REPAID. The only repayment requirement is if the homeowner sold the home within three years after the purchase.

Income Limits:

Home buyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full $8,000 credit if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $75,000. For married couples filing a joint return, the income limit doubles to $150,000. Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 are eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit. Married couples who earn between $150,000 and $170,000 are eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit. The credit is not available for singe taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $95,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $17,000.

Effective Dates for the Tax Credit:

First-time home buyers would receive an $8,000 tax credit for the purchase of any home on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. To qualify, you must actually close on the sale of the home during this period.

Tax Credit is Refundable:

A refundable credit means that if you pay less than $8,000 in federal income taxes, then the government will write you a check for the difference. For example, if you owe $5,000 in federal income taxes, you would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. If you are due to receive a $1,000 tax refund from the government, your refund would grow to $9,000 ($1,000 plus $8,000 from the home buyer tax credit). Buyers can take the tax credit on their 2008 or 2009 income tax return.

Types of HOmes that Qualify for the Tax Credit:

All homes, whether single-family, townhomes or condominiums apartments will qualify, provided that the home will be used as a principal residence adn the buyer has not owned a principal residence in the prior three years. This also includes newly-constructed homes.

For more details on the tax credit, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Ryan McDonald, an accounting graduate of Western Washington University joined Archer Group as a full-time staff accountant after interning during his last year of schooling.

Ryan applies his abilities and schooling toward tax preparation, accounting services, financial statements, and balance sheets and audits for our clients. Ryan's excellent grasp of accounting makes him an outstanding resource for our clients.

Welcome aboard Ryan!