Posted on March - 28 - 2010

Coffee Break: IRS warns of costly tax scams

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2010 “dirty dozen” list of tax scams.

Taxpayers caught in the schemes usually must pay any taxes due, plus interest, as well as thousands in penalties.

“Tennesseans should remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” IRS spokesman Dan Boone said.

Topping the scams list this year are “return-preparer fraud,” “hiding income offshore” and “phishing scams.”

Dishonest return preparers may attract new clients by promising big refunds that are too good to be true.

The offshore schemes hide income in offshore banks.

Phishing is a tactic used by scam artists to trick unsuspecting victims into revealing private information. The IRS never sends e-mails to taxpayers about their taxes.

For more information, go to the “newsroom” link at irs.gov.

Recycled tires, bottles

Builders and architects are invited today to watch the installation of pavers made from old tires and plastic bottles.

Acme Brick will demonstrate at 1 p.m. the environmentally friendly pavers at its showroom, 9400 Macon Road in Cordova.

A 10- by 10-foot installation will keep more than 50 old tires and 1,500 plastic containers from landfills, the company says.

Acme’s VAST composite masonry products include landscape pavers, permeable pavers for storm-water management, deck pavers and thin brick.

Dennis Knautz, Acme Brick’s president and chief executive officer, said the products give customers, especially those pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for their projects, an “exceptional” option for green building.

Hospital of the year

The Mississippi Nurses Association has named Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto as its hospital of the year.

“The nurses at Baptist DeSoto are committed to quality and excellence in patient care,” said Mary Townsend-Gervis, chief nursing officer for Baptist DeSoto. “The leadership team and staff create an environment for excellence in all domains of nursing — education, practice, leadership and research.”

Scoop for Le Bonheur

Ben & Jerry’s is inviting everyone to have a free ice cream cone today and to help raise money for Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.

Today is Free Cone Day for the Burlington, Vt.-based ice cream brand and stores. The event has become an annual tradition since co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield scooped up free ice cream in 1979 to thank the community for supporting them in their first year.

All three Memphis locations will be collecting money for Le Bonheur.

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