January 2013
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Use IRS Free File to Do Your Federal Taxes for...
By Nancy Mathis, Internal Revenue Service
Looking for a simple way to do your taxes? Trying to save time and money? The answer is Free File, and it’s available only at www.irs.gov/freefile.
There is a Free File option for everyone. Free File offers brand-name tax software to people who earned $57,000 or less last year, which is 70 percent of us. For people who earned more, there are free online...
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Text Message Support to Help You Quit Smoking →
SmokefreeTXT is a service that can send you messages to help you quit smoking. Learn how to sign up at
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Tackling Food Safety: Keeping Your Food Safe on...
From FoodSafety.gov
Super Bowl Sunday is a great American tradition, and a great way to bring together the three Fs: football, friends, and food. Super Bowl Sunday is also the second biggest day to consume food in the United States, only after Thanksgiving.
One of the most popular ways to celebrate is by inviting family and friends to enjoy a buffet. But if cold foods are left out of...
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Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about... →
You may have heard about hydraulic fracturing, commonly called “fracking,” in the news. But do you know what happens during fracking?
The U.S. Geological Survey has answers to common questions. Learn more about fracking.
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Live Twitter Q&A about Financial Aid with the...
Have questions about student aid? The U.S. Dept. of Education will answer them. Just ask them on Twitter with the hashtag #AskFAFSA between 5 and 6pm EST tonight.
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Earned Income Tax Credit – Find Out If You Qualify
If you earned less than $45,060 (or $50,270 if you’re married and filing jointly) last year, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The maximum credit for tax year 2012 is $5,891. Even if you don’t owe any tax or are not required to file, you must file a tax return in order to claim the credit. Find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
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Find Tools to Help You Find or Change Jobs →
If you’re looking for a job or want to change jobs, find tools that can help.
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Help Inspire a Child During National Mentoring...
January is recognized annually as National Mentoring Month, and it’s a chance for you to get involved in helping children in your community.
Mentoring usually consists of pairing a young person with a caring adult, helping create a successful path of growth and development for the child. Mentoring can lead youth to be more engaged in school, finish high school, go onto college, and form more...
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You Can Now Contribute More to Your IRA →
The IRA contribution limits were increased for 2013. Find out what the new maximum contribution is.
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For Your Health: Test Your Home for Radon
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is estimated to be responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
You can’t see, smell, or taste radon—it’s a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be present outdoors and in any type of...
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Find Head Start Programs Near You →
Thinking about putting your child in Head Start? Find Head Start programs near you with this tool.
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Don't Be a Victim of Internet Dating Scams
Internet dating and romance scams, commonly called “sweetheart scams,” target people with online dating profiles or through social media networks, and are becoming more common. The Internet makes it easy for people to create fake identities, using other people’s pictures to pretend they are attractive and interested in you.
After a bond has been formed, the scammer will typically ask...
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Find Help Choosing a Tax Preparer →
If you plan to have someone else do your taxes this year, the IRS encourages you to be careful who you select.
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WatchFirst Known Earth Trojan Asteroid Video description
This animation illustrates the orbit of 2010 TK7 (green dots), the first known Earth Trojan asteroid, discovered by NEOWISE, the asteroid-hunting portion of NASA’s WISE mission.
Video courtesy of NASA.
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What You Should Know About Investing
Whether you’re interested in investing for the first time or whether you’ve been investing for years, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advice on how you can get the most from your investments.
Checking the background of an investment professional is easy and free.
Details on an investment professional’s background and qualifications are available through the...
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What is the Federal Debt and How Does the Debt... →
At the end of fiscal year 2011, the federal debt totaled $14.8 trillion.
The debt limit determines when the U.S. Department of Treasury can or cannot borrow money to cover the country’s debts.
Learn more about the federal debt and the debt limit in Federal Debt 101, from the Government Accountability Office.
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Warning for Small Businesses: Don’t Open E-mail...
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning small businesses that an e-mail with a subject line “NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT” is not from the FTC. The e-mail falsely states that a complaint has been filed with the agency against their company.
The FTC advises recipients not to click on any of the links or attachments with the e-mail. Clicking on the links may install a virus...
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What to do if You Break a Compact Florescent Bulb →
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5 Things You Can Do to Have a Healthy Baby in the...
By: Dr. Peggy Honein, CDC’s Birth Defects Branch Chief
Did you know that every 4 ½ minutes a baby in the United States is born with a major birth defect? January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about birth defects and of the steps that can be taken to prevent them. While not all birth defects can be prevented, there are things you can do to get ready for a...
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Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day →
Learn more about Dr. King’s work in the civil rights movement.
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Get Real-Time Inauguration Updates via Text →
If you’re planning to attend the inauguration on Monday, sign up to get text message alerts about road closures, when viewing areas open and close, weather-related concerns and more.
Text INAUGURATION to 888777 to sign up. Standard text message rates apply.
Find more information for ticket holders and attendees online to help you plan your day.
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Don't Use Antibiotics to Treat Colds or the Flu
If you’re suffering from a cold, the flu, or another virus, there are things you can do to help relieve the symptoms, but taking antibiotics will not help. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, such as strep throat.
Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem that is primarily being caused by the repeated and improper use of antibiotics.
You can help prevent antibiotic...
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Celebrate the MLK Day of Service →
Monday is the federal holiday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The MLK Day of Service encourages Americans to spend the day getting involved in projects to help their local communities.
Find a project near you.
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Are You Owed Unclaimed Pension Money? →
According to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation more than 38,000 people haven’t claimed pension money they are owed, ranging in amounts from 12 cents to $1 million.
Find out if you’re owed pension money and learn about the process to get your benefits.
Find out if there is other money the government owes you.
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DIY Tips and Assistance Programs to Help You Save...
As the cold weather firmly takes hold in most parts of the country, you might notice a steep spike in your utility bills as your heating system works to keep your house warm.
If you’re trying to keep your heating bill in check, there are some assistance programs and DIY-tips that might help.
See if you qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Families who meet the...
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Why the President will be Inaugurated on January... →
Our constitution says the President is to be inaugurated on January 20, but this year’s ceremony is on January 21. Here’s why.
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Send Your Winter Weather Photos to NASA →
Have a great photo of winter weather near you? Send it to NASA and they might feature it on their website. Learn more.
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Federal Buildings Promote Open Spaces,...
Do you usually think of federal buildings as places to shop for fresh produce, listen to live music or enjoy a colorful art gallery? Perhaps not, but many people regularly do these things at federal properties across the country.
That’s because some federal properties are open for events like farmers markets, concerts, book readings, lectures and more.
“We’ve had weddings, aerial...
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Protect Your Health in Five Minutes or Less
Learn simple steps you can take to protect your health and safety. Some steps take less than a minute and could save your life or the life of a loved one.
One minute or less:
Wash your hands
Protect your skin
Buckle up
Check cruise ship inspection scores before you travel
Place infants back-to-sleep
Get information about these and 10 more steps that take 1 minute or less.
Five minutes or...
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Which Flu Shot is Right for You? →
There are three different kinds of flu shot and a nasal spray. Find out which one is right for you.
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Screenings Can Help Detect Cervical Cancer
By Sima Michaels Dembo, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs
Cervical cancer is the only gynecological cancer for which there is a screening test. Screening can help find this cancer early, when treatment can be most effective. To help you be informed and stay healthy, the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human...
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Volunteer to Help People in Your Community with... →
If you’re interested in helping people in your own community file their taxes, you can volunteer with the IRS through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.
You will receive the necessary training to help low-to-moderate income families with their taxes. Volunteer hours are flexible.
Find out how to apply.
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Find Job-Related Education and Training Resources
Visit JobCenter.USA.gov for information about professional certifications, registered apprenticeships, occupational licenses, and other opportunities that may help you get ahead.
In addition to education and training resources, you can use the job center to search for a job and learn about various career paths.
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Some Combat Veterans Eligible for Extended Health... →
Veterans who served in combat after Nov. 11, 1998 are eligible for extended health care for 5 years post discharge. Learn more about the benefits offered and find out how to apply.
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2012 is the Hottest Year on Record
2012 is now the warmest year on record for the contiguous United States, according to the data gathered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center. 2012 had a record warm spring, second warmest summer, fourth warmest winter and a warmer-than-average autumn. The average temperature in 2012 was 55.3 °F, 1°F warmer than the previous warmest year,...