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Tax Season, DCRA Homeowners Center, Affordable Housing, NCRC Small Business Initiatives, Small Business Network, Funds for DC Artists, Renewable Energy, DHCD Evaluation Report
1. Office of Tax and Revenue Announces News for 2006 Tax Filing Season The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) has announced extended service hours, free tax preparation assistance, and free electronic filing to make the 2006 filing season as painless as possible. Taxpayers will get extra time to file their 2005 tax forms because the deadline has been extended to Tuesday, April 18. The normal filing deadline of April 15 falls on a Saturday this year, which would ordinarily mean the deadline moves to the following Monday. However, Monday, April 17, is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia-Emancipation Day. Extended Customer Service Hours, Free Tax Preparation Assistance OTR's customer service walk-in center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE, will have extended service hours April 3 through April 14, Monday through Friday, from 8:15 am to 6 pm. Service will also be available Saturday, April 8 and Saturday, April 15 from 9 am to 1 pm. On Tuesday, April 18, the center will be open 8:15 am to 8 pm. OTR will also offer extended telephone service hours April 3 through April 14, Monday through Friday, from 8:15 am to 6 pm, and on Tuesday, April 18 from 8:15 am to 8 pm. The service center can be reached at (202) 727-4829. Customer service representatives in the walk-in service center will prepare District individual income tax returns at no cost for anyone requesting the service. Taxpayers must bring a copy of their completed federal tax return, supporting W-2 forms and any other information required. Electronic Filing For the past four years, District taxpayers have been able to file their return online for free by visiting the Electronic Taxpayer Service Center, which allows taxpayers to not only file online but to pay their taxes or check the status of their refund as well. DC Earned Income Tax Credit Taxpayers who claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can also claim a DC Earned Income Tax Credit of 35 percent of the federal credit. The federal credit is available to city residents who work and earn less than $11,750 with no qualifying children, $31,030 with one qualifying child, or $35,263 with two or more qualifying children. The EITC can provide taxpayers a refund even if they do not owe any tax. For more information visit Office of Tax and Revenue or call (202) 727-4829.
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has developed a new resource to help homeowners get building permits more easily in Washington, DC. The Homeowners Center will provide prompt and expert assistance to DC homeowners who are seeking building permits for home improvement projects. Expert staff are ready to provide clear information about permitting regulations and the permitting process, inform homeowners about permit requirements for their specific projects, conduct plan reviews, and issue permits. Onsite kiosks make the permit process easier for homeowners. The Homeowners Center will serve District residents by walk-in and by appointment. In addition, the Homeowners Center offers the Permit Wizard, a user-friendly computer program that makes paperwork faster and easier. All home renovations, whether done by contractors or by the homeowner, must follow strict building codes to assure that the work is safe and that there are no fines for illegal construction. DCRA is dedicated to helping District homeowners who are seeking permits for their home improvement projects. The Homeowners Center is a one-stop-shop for owners to learn about the laws related to renovations. DCRA's Homeowners Center is located in Suite 2102 at 941 North Capitol Street, NE. It is open to the public 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The Homeowners Center will serve homeowners by appointment and by walk-in. To contact the Homeowners Center, call (202) 442-4400. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs opened the Homeowners Center on January 5, 2006. Mayor Anthony Williams was on hand for the launch, and was joined by representatives from Citibank, the DC Building Industry Association, the International Code Council, the Fannie Mae Foundation, and other community partners and supporters. Visit DCRA.
3. Affordable Housing Business Improvement Breakfast (BIB) The need for affordable housing is a core issue throughout every city in the US. From employers to current residents, the price of housing affects everyone. The DC Economic Partnership (formerly the DC Marketing Center) is offering this business improvement breakfast opportunity in order to highlight programs available and the District's affordable housing initiatives. Congressman Barney Frank will also provide an overview of his affordable housing program and its benefits. Featured speakers include:
This event will take place February 14 from 8 am to 10 am. Seating for this event is limited, please download the registration form* and RSVP by Wednesday, February 8.  
4. NCRC Launches New Initiatives for Small Businesses The National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) will be holding a forum to highlight its newest initiatives targeted at Local, Small, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LSDBEs). NCRC will introduce its newly formed business development program, its access to capital program, and its upcoming contracting opportunities on February 1 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm in THEARC Community Meeting Room at 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE. For more information, call Rose Lindsay at (202) 530-5750. Visit NCRC.
5. Greater Washington Board of Trade Small Business Network BusinessLINC Small Business Academy The Washington Area Board of Trade's Small Business Network announced the schedule of classes for the 2006 BusinessLINC Small Business Academy, a 10-month program that provides classroom training and group exchange to a class of 20 small business owners who have been in operation for one to five years. Board of Trade member firms with expertise in business operations serve as faculty. Board of Trade membership is not required for Academy participation, but is encouraged. Applications must be submitted by March 9 for the next Academy class session that starts March 23. To view the schedule of classes, download the application, or to learn more about the BusinessLINC Small Business Academy, visit Washington Area Board of Trade's Small Business Network.
6. Funds Available for DC Artists and Arts Organizations Funds are still available to DC artists and nonprofit organizations through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities' fiscal year 2006 programs. The Commission is supported primarily by District government funds and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Commission's fiscal year 2006 Guide to Grants offers more information on all grant programs, including a complete listing of evaluation criteria for all grant programs. Opportunities still available in the following fiscal year 2006 programs include the following:
To find out more about funds available for artists, view the notification. Visit DCAH.
7. District Enacts Administrative Assessment to Support Unemployment Insurance Program The DC Energy Office (DCEO) is soliciting applications from DC organizations/entities or individuals to provide grant funds to conduct a Renewable Energy Demonstration Project. DC applicants may apply for funding up to 50 percent of the cost to implement a project that produces electricity, using a renewable source of fuel (i.e., solar, photo voltaic, biomass, wind or hydropower). Projects may include but are not limited to installing photo voltaic systems in houses and commercial or institutional buildings. Solar panels may also be installed. Approximately $163,000 total is available to divide among all awardees. The deadline for submitting applications is February 16. Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee and will receive notice of the application approval or denial by March 23. Projects are eligible that are located in the District of Columbia where construction has not begun. Awardees will have one year to complete their projects. For more information, please contact the DC Energy Hotline at (202) 673-6750. The application is available at the DCEO located at 2000 14th Street, 3rd floor. Visit DCEO.
8. DHCD Announces the Availability of Year-End Evaluation Report The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announces the availability of the District of Columbia Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for fiscal year 2005. The CAPER is the District of Columbia's report to HUD on its progress in meeting the goals of the fiscal year 2005 Consolidated Action Plan for spending under the following federal entitlement programs: Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA). The document verifies the local and federal dollars spent on efforts to produce affordable housing, assist residents in becoming homeowners, promote community development, and assist persons living with AIDS and homeless persons with housing and support services. The CAPER is available at DHCD, 801 North Capitol Street, NE, 8th floor, Washington, DC 20002; all public library branches; Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) offices; and the following community-based organizations:
For more information please visit DHCD.
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