Federal Government

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Web site
• El IRS en Español
• Federal tax code online The complete code with embedded hyperlinks for quick searches.
• The IRS-issued 2012 Refund Cycle Chart (in English and Spanish)
• The Social Security Administration Web site.
• The U. S. House of Representatives Information regarding legislation, members, committee, etc.
• U. S. Code The Office of the Law Revision Counsel prepares and publishes the United States Code, the general and permanent laws of the United States.
• Thomas The latest legislative news and information, provided by the Library of Congress.
• Congress.org Excellent coverage of all areas of Congress.

Charitable Contributions

Before you donate to that charity, do your homework!   There is too much real need in the world for you to allow your generosity to be diverted for anyone's personal gain. At a minimum, remember:

1. Know exactly who you're giving to. Many fake charities masquerade under names deceptively similar to legitimate charities.
2. Check their record. Sites like www.give.org (The Better Business Bureau), www.charitynavigator.org, and www.guidestar.org can provide a good feel for what your donation will actually be used for. Tip: Ratings for NATIONAL vs. LOCAL chapters of an organization can vary drastically.
3. Protect your personal information. It is safest not to respond to e-mail solicitations, nor to give out credit card or other financial information over the telephone.