Today's Feature

Tax Deadline Extended.

News release.

Following the lead of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Missouri Department of Revenue announced today that taxpayers will have an extra day to file and pay 2006 individual income tax, corporate income/franchise tax and financial institution taxes.

The IRS further extended the due date because April 15 falls on a Sunday in 2007, and because Monday, April 16 is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Under a federal statute enacted decades ago, holidays observed in the District of Columbia have impact nationwide on tax issues, not just within the District.

The April 17, 2007 deadline will apply to any of the following:

• 2006 federal and state individual income tax returns, whether filed electronically or on paper.

• Missouri corporate income/franchise tax returns.

• 2006 Financial Institutions tax returns including Bank Franchise Tax, Savings and Loan Tax, Fiduciary Tax, Credit Union Tax, Farmers Coop Intangible Property Tax, and Credit Institution Tax.

• Tax year 2006 balance due payments, whether made electronically or by check.

• Individual and corporate estimated tax payments for the first quarter of 2007, whether made electronically or by check.

• Requests for an automatic six-month tax-filing extension, whether submitted electronically or on Forms 4868 or 7004 (federal) or Forms MO-60 or MO-7004 (state).

• Tax refund claims where the statute of limitations expires on April 16.

Missouri law provides that, filing and payment deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal state holidays are timely satisfied if satisfied on the next business day. However, Missouri law does not make accommodations for the legal holidays of other states or the District of Columbia.

Missouri law normally requires income tax returns to be filed and paid on the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the close of the taxpayer’s taxable year (Section 143.511, RSMo). Usually, that date is April 15.

Because Missouri’s tax returns are so heavily dependent upon federal returns, the Director of Revenue has determined that a corresponding extension of time to file 2006 Missouri income tax returns and payments is necessary.

Taxpayers are encouraged to file early and use electronic filing methods. For taxpayers, filing electronically offers immediate proof of filing and increased accuracy. Processing delays can result when processing paper returns using conventional methods. Electronic filing sends the data directly to the processing system, sidestepping any potential keying errors. It also allows the taxpayer the option of receiving a refund via direct deposit. Direct deposit is available only when taxpayers file electronically.

The department’s Interactive Voice Response system, unveiled last year, gives taxpayers the option of using the telephone to obtain information on the status of their tax return. New this year is a toll-free option available by calling (866) 433-7259. Taxpayers can also access the tracking system by calling the toll number, (573) 526-TAXX (8299). The department continues to offer the Online Personal Tax Return Inquiry system, available on the internet at www.dor.mo.gov. The online system may be used by clicking the button labeled "Where’s My Tax Return?" on the right side of the page.

Stench Report:

Wednesday,
1/31/07

No Stench Detected Near the Carthage Square

Now that’s not ta say that war isn’t serious business, it’s just that it would be comforting ta know that our boys and girls are still just that, our boys and girls. They haven’t turned into some military machine, but are ever’day folks bein’ called on to honor their commitment.

Ever’ now and then, I’d like to hear ‘bout somethin’ just plain silly goin’ on midst all the ruckus. Of all the things Americans hold dear, the list has ta include a robust sense of humor.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

I sometimes roll-start our new Honda Fit. My wife didn’t care when I did this to our old ‘91 Civic, but she claims it hurts the new car. My wife says her father taught her that roll-starting is only for when the battery is dead or the starter breaks. I’m sure my father-in-law, a food scientist and automatic-transmission driver for the past 30 years, would admit no expertise in the more exoteric areas of manual-car usage. So she ordered me to contact you two. She knows you have the wisdom to always side with the wife. What damage or benefits result from roll-starting a car down a lightly sloped driveway once or twice a week? - Michael

RAY: Well, there are two types of damage to look at, Michael. There’s the mechanical damage, and there’s the marital damage.

TOM: As far as mechanical damage, there is none. Zilch. You’re not harming anything. You’re simply replacing the function of the starter motor with rolling the wheels.

RAY: And as long as you pop the clutch at, say, 3 mph to 5 mph, and not 40 mph, no harm is being done to anything. I suppose than any clutch wear might be offset by your lighter use of the starter motor and battery.

TOM: But in interests of marital harmony and father-in-law relations, Michael (you don’t want to be served nothing but a turkey butt at Thanksgiving, do you?), I would suggest you say the following: "Hon, I checked with Tom and Ray. They said there’s no real damage done from roll-starting the car, but there are no real benefits either. So if it bothers you, I won’t do it."

RAY: Then only do it when she’s not in the car, Michael.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

Bobby Hamilton Remembered

Q: We just heard of the passing of Bobby Hamilton, the former Craftsman Truck champion and all-around nice guy. I just want to let everyone know how much we liked him and will miss him. -- Sally, e-mail from Florida

A: Sally, we all will miss Bobby Hamilton, who lost his battle with cancer on Jan. 7. He was 49.

Hamilton was indeed a great person and a fine race driver. He made headlines back in 1989 when he helped drive the movie cars for the Hollywood production "Days of Thunder," and stunned everyone by qualifying fifth fastest in a movie car at the 1989 AutoWorks 500 in Phoenix. Hamilton’s movie car, entered by Rick Hendrick, carried movie cameras and extra weight, and was not intended to be competitive. The car was the No. 51 machine, portrayed in the movie as being driven by the character "Rowdy Burns." Bobby even led five laps of the race.

After his stunning accomplishment, Hamilton became a regular on the Cup series tour and went on to win four Cup races in his career, including the 2001 Talladega 500. He also won one Busch race, and the aforementioned Craftsman Truck championship, with a total of 10 wins to his credit in the trucks.

Q: Greg, I enjoy your racing column very much. What driver has the most wins overall in NASCAR racing at Daytona? -- Cathy P., e-mail from Kansas

A: Sure thing, Cathy. Dale Earnhardt Sr. still has the most wins at Daytona, overall. Over his illustrious career, Dale won 12 Twin 125 mile qualifiers, seven Busch 300 events, six Budweiser Shootouts, six IROC races, two Pepsi Firecracker 400s and one Daytona 500. That adds up to 34 career checkered flags in NASCAR competition at the famed tri-oval.