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April
Keaveny Connection		 Contact: Stacy Morse
(573) 751-3599

Tax Deadline April 15

Current Status of Filed Legislation

Disparity Study for Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise

Credit Protection

Contribute to the Future of Your MOST Valuable Asset

Brightside St. Louis
Tax Deadline April 15
DOR also has tax assistance centers across the state, including here in St. Louis, located at 9652 Olive Blvd., or by phone at (314) 692-8222. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click here to locate a center.

There are only a few days left until the April 15, tax filing deadline and the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) suggests filing your taxes before then. Waiting until the April 15 deadline will result in a delay in getting a refund. Other tips Missouri taxpayers should keep in mind include:

  • File electronically, as a secure way to avoid errors. E-filing is a service provided by almost all tax preparation agencies, or individuals can purchase tax preparation software. Many may qualify for free electronic filing through the Federal Free File Alliance.
  • Nearly 80 percent of Missourians now file electronically, forms are filled out securely and it usually guarantees a quicker turnaround.
  • Use electronic forms. Even Missourians choosing not to E-file can still save time and reduce errors by using electronic forms, which can then be printed out and mailed. Missouri tax forms for tax year 2013 and other years are available on DOR's website.
  • DOR answers many frequently asked questions about filing tax returns at www.dor.mo.gov. Missourians can also call (573) 751-3505 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also email the department at income@dor.mo.gov with questions about filing tax returns.

ElderLink St. Louis is offering to help senior citizens locate free tax help. Elderlink St. Louis can be reached at (314) 812-9300.

The St. Louis Tax Assistance Program has locations throughout St. Louis. Click here for more information on its assistance guidelines and locations.

While the status of health insurance coverage does not affect the filing of your 2013 income taxes it will influence your 2014 income taxes. Click here for an Internal Revenue Service explanation about the penalty for not having health insurance.
Current Status of Filed Legislation
The Senate Chamber as seen from the upper gallery.

This session I filed legislation relating to education, criminal procedures, and wills and trusts. Below is an update on the standing of some of the measures.

Senate Bill 499: This legislation specifies that property held in some form of joint ownership with a right of survivorship by a husband and wife shall be treated as being held as tenants by the entirety upon the property's transfer to a qualified spousal trust. This measure was assigned to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Committee and was perfected by the full Senate on March 31.

Senate Bill 538: This proposed legislation would allow a school district or a charter school which operates an early childhood education program to receive state funding through the foundation formula for students 3-5 years old who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. The district or charter school must provide full-day kindergarten and meet standards established by the State Board of Education. This legislation was voted do pass during a March 26 Senate Education Committee hearing.

Senate Bill 732 - This legislation modifies procedures relating to eyewitness identification practices, custodial interrogations and biological evidence. In part, it states each law enforcement agency must develop and adopt written policies and begin governing those procedures by Jan. 1, 2015. Agencies must submit their policies to the Department of Public Safety and biannually review them. Interrogations must be recorded, and if any exception prevents recording, investigators must explain why in writing. The measure also updates standards for collecting forensic evidence. A hearing was held for this legislation on Feb. 24 by the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Senate Bill 753 - This measure would implement the first comprehensive attempt in Missouri to determine the cost of the death penalty, compared to sentencing individuals to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This bill has been second read in the House.
Disparity Study for Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise

Funding that I requested in Fiscal Year 2014 and has since been secured in the state operating budget is allowing for a disparity study for Missouri’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program to ensure that these businesses can compete for state contracts. 

The last time Missouri conducted a similar disparity study was in 1994; it was completed in 1998.

The Office of Administration (OA) is holding a series of public meetings regarding this disparity study for the M/WBE program.  Stakeholders and business owners are encouraged to attend these public meetings to provide input from businesses, community organization and individuals regarding their experiences in doing business with the state of Missouri through its M/WBE program.  Those in attendance will also be able to disclose any barriers they have encountered when exploring state contracting opportunities.

If this directly impacts your business and how you utilize the M/WBE program, it is important that you attend these meetings. Meetings in the St. Louis area are:

  • April 7 at 10 a.m. – Construction, 1:00 p.m. – Construction-related professional services; design; architectural, 4:00 p.m. – Goods and Services, at St. Louis Community College, William J. Harrison Education Center, 3140 Cass Ave.;
  • April 8 at 10 a.m. – Construction, 1:00 p.m. – Construction-related professional services; design; architectural, 4:00 p.m. – Goods and Services - at the Construction Training School, 6301 Knox Industrial Dr.;
  • April 9 at 10 a.m., at the St. Louis Community College, William J. Harrison Education Center, 3140 Cass Ave.

Those interested in attending one or more of these meetings or to find out more information regarding these upcoming events, please contact (855) 692-6529 or email: Missouri _study@mwbelaw.com.
Credit Protection

In the past several months, there have been security breaches at famous retailers that have left millions of people worried about their credit and debits cards.

The Missouri Credit Union Association is offering consumers way to help protect themselves against retaTax Deadline; il data breaches. Some of their tips include:

  • Monitor accounts – Review card transactions through a secure Internet connection, at least once a day. Remember, these hackers are sophisticated and will often ‘test’ cards, making purchases of less than $5, before making a big purchase. If you see suspicious charges, contact your financial institution immediately.
  • Replace your cards – Contact your financial institution or credit card provider about replacing cards when a data breach occurs at a retailer where you have shopped.
  • Purchase identity theft protection – Consider purchasing identity theft protection. These services monitor your purchases to help detect any potential identity theft or credit card fraud. Target recently announced it is offering free credit monitoring to those impacted by the data breach. 
  • Always use a credit card – Credit cards do offer protections against fraudulent transactions that debit cards do not. Typically, credit cardholders will be responsible for no more than $50 of the fraudulent charges (and in some cases would be $0). With debit cards, the burden of responsibility falls much more on the card owner – not to mention all transactions directly impact available cash flow.

Be vigilant of your financial accounts, as there is no way to know when or if financial fraud will occur. Being aware and applying these few simple steps is almost always the best preventative measure.
Contribute to the Future of Your MOST Valuable Asset
For more information call 1-888-414-6678, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., or go to the website www.missouricollegesavings.com.

In today's economy, it can be hard to save for the future. But Missouri's 529 College Saving Plan - MOST- is an easy way to start saving for your child's future.

There are many benefits to this plan, but most of all it will help ensure a child has a good start in covering the costs and expenses associated with two-and four-year colleges, post secondary trade and vocational schools or for a post graduate programs.

By using the MOST 529 plan to save for higher education costs, you will receive many benefits, including:

  • Low-minimum investment. The plan allows adults to open an account with as little as $25 and make contributions of $25 or less.
  • There are no federal or state taxes on investment earnings or on withdrawals used for qualified higher-education expenses. Account owners who live in Missouri can deduct their contributions from their state income tax.

After an account is opened, the site can be used to view statements, make contributions and obtain performance information on the account.
Brightside St. Louis
Brightside St. Louis is a non-profit agency that helps beautify the city by planting flowers, assisting in cleanup and more.

Brightside St. Louis started in 1982, and is the city's oldest and most comprehensive non-profit cleaning and greening group. From removing graffiti, planting flowers and general cleanup, Brightside St. Louis' purpose is to help revitalize the city.

The agency can assist with graffiti removal. The agency utilizes a recycling center, and a demonstration garden. Brightside St. Louis also has two successful programs: Project Blitz and Neighbors Naturescaping. Neighbors Naturescaping is an application based program that helps to improve public space throughout the city. Hands-on educational workshops teach and train attendees on how to install and care for community-based gardens.

Project Blitz is an annual event to help cleanup the city. You can fill out a form to register your project. Volunteers are needed to supply the energy for clean-up events, but Brightside supplies the tools (brooms, rakes, shovels, etc.) and trash bags. The city will collect the bagged trash as well.

In May of each year, Brightside gives away flower seedlings for planting in public areas. To receive the seedlings you must have a registered clean-up project.

If you are simply cleaning up your own home or neighborhood, Brightside can still help.

  • Furniture, appliances and other large or bulky items can be picked up. Call Citizens Service Bureau at (314) 622-4800 or Brightside at (314) 772-4646.
  • If you have more than three large items consider taking them to the City's transfer station. Call (314) 622-4800 for more information.
  • Old electronics can be recycled at the Recycling Center, 1660 S. Kingshighway. Computers, televisions, gaming systems, and more can be recycled, though some items, do require a fee be collected.
  • Paint thinners, solvents, pesticides and many other household hazardous waste items are accepted for recycling at St. Louis Hazardous Waste Collection Site. Go to www.hhwstl.com to learn more about what can be recycled. You must schedule an appointment for hazardous waste recycling.
  • If items placed at your curb for a schedule monthly pickup have not been collected, please call the Citizens Service Bureau at (314) 622-4800.

Brightside St. Louis is located at 4646 Shenandoah Ave. The office is open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached by phone at (314) 772-4646 or through email at info@brightsidestl.org.

To donate to Brightside St. Louis, click here, or to take advantage of their numerous volunteer activities, click here.