Is Messiah University included in your Estate Plans?

A significant source of support for Messiah is to document bequest intentions to the University. Knowing and documenting future bequests is important for a number of reasons:

  1. We want to be able to recognize and thank those who wish to Create a Legacy with the University.
  2. We want to be good stewards and utilize the bequest in the way it was desired.
  3. Knowing bequest intentions will enable the University to better plan for its financial future.
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Legacy gifts have been critical to Messiah University's mission. They make up 80% of our endowment, have helped us build numerous facilities, and provided much needed financial aid to students. If you included Messiah University in your estate plans, please print, complete and mail the Confidential Charitable Bequest Intent form to: Messiah University, One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

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Sunday May 19, 2024

Washington News

Washington Hotline

Initial Rollout of IRS Direct-File Pilot

The Direct-File program allowed about a dozen IRS employees to file their tax returns using the new software.

Bridget Roberts is the IRS leader of the Direct-File program. On February 8, 2024, she noted the agency employees had used the initial version of the pilot program. Roberts indicated that the next phase of the program will be approximately 1,200 taxpayers who are federal and state employees.

The pilot program will now expand to 12 states. Federal and state employees who volunteer may use the program if they are from Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington or Wyoming. Most of the states were selected because they do not require a state income tax return.

IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel indicated the pilot program will continue to expand to larger groups of taxpayers. He hopes that there will be several hundred thousand taxpayers who use the Direct-File program this year.

Commentators have noted the IRS is being very cautious with this new program. The program is limited to individuals with W-2 income and those who may benefit from the child tax credit (CTC) or the earned income tax credit (EITC). This is a very limited group and the IRS is intentionally being quite careful.

IRS representative Roberts indicated she has a plan to test the success of the Direct-File program. She stated, "We will be looking holistically at all of that and what the story is that it tells so the IRS and Treasury can make a decision about it."

The IRS is tracking the number of taxpayers who start the Direct-File program but then do not complete their tax return. There also will be some taxpayers who want to use Direct-File but are not able because of the limitations of the program.

Editor's Note: There are advocates for and against Direct-File in Congress. There also are eight Free File companies that oppose the Direct-File program. Given the potential opposition, it is understandable the IRS is moving slowly and carefully.

Published February 9, 2024
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