how-to guide - january 2014

2 Wednesday, January 29, 2014Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

How to choose a used car dealer

When you have worked hard and saved up everything that you have, finding the best used car dealer is important.

You do not want to end up with a lemon that you cannot return. You also do not want to pay more than you should. Of course, the dealer will need to make a profit — which is perfectly reasonable — but you still should have an idea of the price you should pay for the vehicle you want the most.

When it comes to spending money, there is always an intelligent process you must go through to avoid making mistakes that you can take back. Here are some tips on how to choose a used car dealer.

Choose your vehicle

One of the worst mistakes that you can make is attempting to shop for a car without knowing what you want.

The first step in the process is deciding what kind of car you want. If you do not know the exact make and model of the vehicle you desire, you should at least narrow it down to the automobile type.

Decide whether you would like a sports car, an SUV, a pickup truck or a van. That way you will not waste your time looking around at shops that do not have what you need.

Search the NADA or ‘book value’

The next thing you want to do before you choose a dealership is get an

One of the worst mistakes that you can make is attempting to shop for a car without knowing what you want.

idea of the amount you want to spend with the dealership.

You can search the NADA at nada.com for the make and model of the car you desire. That way you have a general idea of the price range you want to stay in.

It will keep you in perspective so you know roughly what to pay for a particular car.

In addition, search newspapers and online sites to see the asking prices for cars that you’re interested in buying.

Talk to friends and family

The first thing you can do to find a reputable dealer is speak to your closest friends and family members.

If they buy used cars like most people do, they will be perfect sources of information on how their dealer treats its customers.

If you come across more than one positive family review of a specific dealership, take that as a sign to check

that dealer out. Your family will never steer you into giving your money to a bad dealer.

Search locally and online

Next, you want to gather a list of local dealerships. You can find this information in your telephone book and online. Write down the addresses of the top used car dealerships.

Call them up and make an appointment to come look at their inventory. You can even ask them what kind of financing they have and if they offer extended warranties on their vehicles.

Try to make appointments with all the establishments on the list. You are going to research many dealerships before you choose. Picking a place to buy a car from should not be decided on quickly and in haste.

Visit the dealerships Stop by each dealership that you have

on your list. Look around for cars that you want.

Have in-depth conversations with the sales clerk to find out if he is someone you are comfortable doing business with.

Ask about the financing options, the warranty programs, the maintenance, past owner reports and anything else you can think of that makes you feel more secure.

Do not make a purchase on the first visit. You have more shops to look at. Grab a business card and move on to the next location.

After you have stopped by all locations on your list, you can research customer reviews of those you thought were the best establishment.

This is how you will narrow it down to the No. 1 dealership. The dealer with the car you want for the lowest price with the best customer review will win your business.

3Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

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How to choose a sewing machine

Buying a new sewing machine is a major investment. Many of the high-end models bear a price tag similar to those found on home appliances. Comparison shop before you lay out cash for a machine that doesn’t suit your needs.

Prospective buyers have several sources of research material. Sewing magazines and websites offer customers’ products reviews. Additionally, Consumer Reports presents side-by-side comparisons of specific brands and their competitors.

Internet blogs and forums dedicated to home sewing provide hands-on experience and evaluations of major brands. Machine owners share the positives and negatives, information you can use when making your own choice.

Make a list of the features you need and want in a sewing machine.

Include must-have features and nice-to-have ones. All those neat accessories and attachments may seem like a good idea, but they add to the eventual price tag of the machine.

On the other hand, buying a cheap off-brand machine is a false economy. Flimsy machines will not perform as well as sturdier and slightly more expensive ones, nor will they last as long.

If you plan on having your sewing machine for several years, buy the best one you can fit into your budget. This may mean buying a very basic sewing machine. However, many manufacturers sell attachments and accessories separately. You can always buy these

as you need them. Will you use the machine

primarily for sewing clothing, making alteration, crafting, quilting and embroidery? Or do you plan to do upholstery work or other sewing that may require a heavy-duty machine? How often will you sew? Compare and contrast various brands’ and models’ ability to meet your individual needs.

Your choice of a specific machine will be influenced somewhat by the amount of space you can devote to its storage and use. A more compact model may be more convenient if you do all your sewing on the dining room table. On the other hand, a more complex machine with several attachments is better suited to life in a dedicated sewing room.

Don’t buy a sewing machine sight unseen no matter how good those Internet prices are. Visit a few local sewing stores and “test drive” a few different models. At the same time, you’ll start building a relationship with a shop owner you like and trust. A reputable dealer is full of information and will be willing to give an honest access of each machine’s features and benefit, or drawbacks if there are any. Your sewing machine will need periodic repair and maintenance, so settle on a sewing center you like.

Take your list of features with you when you go shopping. Jot down the brands and models you are interested in trying out. Carry along a few swatches of the kinds of cloth and a spool of thread of the types you’ll be using most often. This is the best way to evaluate a machine’s performance.

Select the machines you’re interested in and sew a few lines or seams on them. How easy or difficult is it to thread them? Is it easy to adjust the tension?

Your personal comfort comes into play when you’re choosing the right machine. Is the foot pedal comfortable and easy to use? Does the machine hum merrily along or does it make an infernal racket that will leave you twitching and irritable after a few hours of use?

Ask the shop owner or salesperson about the machine’s warranty terms. You’ll want to learn all about its maintenance schedule if this cost is included in the sale price. Page through the owner’s manual for the machines you’re interested in. Are they easy to understand without a degree in mechanical engineering?

Know which accessories and attachments come with your machine. Sometimes shop owners are receptive to doing a little horse trading, allowing you to swap one attachment for another or buying a few accessories as a package deal with the machine. Buy your machine and give your future business to the sewing center that treats you well and gives you the best deal.

Take your time when making your final purchase. You might have to go home, think, research a little more and then return to the store on another day.

Do your homework, try out several machines and feel confident in buying a sewing machine that seems to be tailor-made for you.

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How to Select a Quality Hearing Aid

Hearing loss is something that affects more than 40 million Americans. It’s an affliction that everyone should take very seriously.

Because of potentially serious long-term consequences without treatment, many people look to hearing aids to alleviate the impact of hearing loss on their daily lives. A hearing loss may be quite debilitating for those who have not sought proper assistance, though methods do exist that can significantly lessen the effect hearing loss has on the lifestyle of a person that suffers from it.

It is not uncommon for affected individuals to feel a little embarrassed and apprehensive about needing to wear hearing aids. Since hearing aids are artificial, many people with untreated hearing loss have an undefined feeling - similar to feeling that their bodies have failed them - simply because they require hearing help. However, this is simply not true. Hearing loss occurs for a host of reasons, many of those causes are the side effect or consequence of a person’s actions or career. Hearing loss can be present at any age, from the newborn to the elderly, and every age in between.

Hearing aid solutions have vastly improved in recent years. Most of today’s hearing aids are easily hidden within or on top of the ear due to increasingly natural styling and coloring. Therefore, it is common for hearing aids to go entirely unnoticed by others when worn. They are certainly less noticeable than untreated hearing difficulties.

Among the best-loved types of hearing aids are those capable of fitting entirely inside the ear canal itself. In the past, hearing aids were large and easily noticeable by others. Modern versions that sit inside the ear canal, by contrast, help wearers enjoy successful correction of hearing loss and also help them maintain a natural look.

Also popular are hearing aids that sit just behind the wearer’s ear. Such devices are often favored by women with hair long enough to disguise them in order to make them almost invisible to others.

It used to be the case that those with very serious hearing losses typically were given hearing aids that covered the whole ear area and had a bulky piece behind the ear. Luckily, options now exist for those with extreme hearing loss that are small and much more discreet than ever before.

In order to determine whether or not you will need a hearing aid, it is essential that you consult with your family physician to rule out pharmaceutically or surgically treatable causes for hearing loss. You may be referred to a physician specializing in diseases of the ears, nose and throat. The proper name for this specialty is otolaryngologist or otologist; though their nickname is “ENT”. This type of physician will be able to assess the cause and degree of hearing loss from which you are suffering.

When the cause and degree of hearing loss is known, a hearing professional who is licensed and able to treat patients by prescribing hearing aids should be consulted. They will counsel you in how to determine the style of hearing aid likely to be the most comfortable for the wearer and that will produce the best corrective results.

Please be apprised that good quality “high- tech” hearing aids, particularly the smaller ones that sit within the ear canal itself, will likely be expensive. While good quality hearing aids

are expensive, you should remember that you are not simply buying a consumer electronic. You are also buying the services and expertise of the licensed hearing professional you have chosen to work with. Many health insurance policies now have a hearing test or hearing aid benefit which may decrease the felt amount of your investment.

Hearing aids are essential devices for improving the quality of life of many people suffering from hearing loss. The hearing aid wearer is best served when they have a good knowledge of hearing aid technologies and styles, hearing aid upkeep and a basic understanding of hearing loss and its effects.

Thanks to the development of new, discreet and increasingly capable devices, there is likely a hearing device available that will suit the needs of any patient .


How to 17500940 1-29-14H

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• Ride the bus or carpool to reduce the amount of gas you use and to save money on vehicle maintenance costs. There are currently 9 bus routes offered by MACS Transit, including one route onto Ft. Wainwright and another around Van Horn Road.

• Idle vehicles for less than 10 minutes to avoid wasting gas and polluting the air. A vehicle in motion warms up faster and more completely.

• Plug in your vehicle when the temperature is 20° above zero or colder for at least one hour before starting the engine. This can reduce emissions, including fine particulates (aka PM 2.5 ) and carbon monoxide, by up to 70% and minimizes vehicle wear and tear. Electric timers are inexpensive and can be set to turn on automatically an hour or two before the time you usually leave the house to further minimize the amount of energy used.

• Weatherize your home to reduce heating costs and emissions by using less fuel.

Achieve Better Efficiency & Better Health!

• Upgrade older heating appliances. If you burn wood or coal, check out the FNSB Air Quality Improvement Program. Anyone that owns property in the Fairbanks North Star Borough that heats with wood or coal may be eligible. Participants in the replacement program are reimbursed for expenses related to upgrading older, non-EPA certified appliances to more efficient appliances. Participants are eligible for reimbursements up to $3,000, depending on the type of device they put in. Contact FNSB Air Quality for more information.

• Split, Stack, Store and Save! If heating with wood, split it at least once, stack to allow for good air flow, and store for at least six warm months to get wood that has moisture content of 20% or less. Burning dry wood saves you money because you need less of it to heat your home. The FNSB Air Quality has moisture meters that you can borrow to get a more accurate reading of your fire wood.

• Perform regular maintenance on your heating appliance for maximum efficiency and safest use.

By taking simple steps to save energy, you save money and you help keep our air clean and healthier to breathe!

AIR QUALITY Fairbanks North Star Borough

www.AQFairbanks.com 459-1005

Alaska Department of Conservation dec.alaska.gov/air

Environmental Protection Agency airnow.gov

TRANSPORTATION www.fnsb.us/transportation MACS Transit – 459-1011

Van Tran – 459-1010

OTHER ENERGY SAVING TIPS

UAF Cooperative Extension www.uaf.edu/ces/energy

AHFC Home Energy Rebate www.ahfc.us/energy/

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A large portion of the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) was designated a nonattainment area for PM 2.5 by the EPA because on several days each year there is more fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in the air

than is healthy to breathe. Excessive levels of PM 2.5 are produced through the inefficient combustion of fuels, such as wood, coal, home heating fuel, gas, and diesel. Here are some tips to help you save

energy and money, and to help improve air quality in our community:

FOR MORE INFORMATION:


How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets

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When it is time to remodel your home, a great place to start is with the kitchen cabinets. As a rule of thumb, you should spend up to 20 percent of your home’s value on remodeling the kitchen.

If your home is valued at $100,000, for example, you should be comfortable spending up to $20,000 on remodeling your kitchen. Of that money, about 40 percent can be expected to be spent on the cabinets alone.

For the best return on your money, if you plan on selling your home within the next eight years, make sure you buy quality cabinets in a style that will appeal to a wide section of borrowers. If you plan on spending more than eight years in your home, then plan for what your family will enjoy the most.

Custom Built Cabinets

The best solution for most people, if the budget allows it, is to install custom built cabinets. These cabinets allow the homeowner to choose the style of cabinets to suit their personal décor. The homeowner can choose the color, the hinges, the rollers and even have special finishes applied to their cabinets.

When choosing custom built cabinets, it is important to work with a professional. Make sure and check out the references from friends and neighbors. A great way to find these professionals is to ask other professionals who they recommend. If you are using a contractor, they should have suggestions on who they like to work with.

Sit down with two or three

custom builders and discuss your budget and what they can provide you within that budget. Furthermore, discuss what you like in cabinets. Make sure that you hire a professional who will give you a reasonable timeframe. Living without your kitchen for an extended period can be tough.

Make sure that your custom cabinet builder will be able to apply any special finishes that you want themselves. Some people love the look of antiquing or distressing, while others like the cabinets painted to match other parts of the kitchen.

Make sure and check out the quality of materials the builder plans on using. Look for a lifetime guarantee on the hinges, heavy duty slides and 3/4” solid wood.

Occasionally, it is necessary to change the cabinets once you have placed the order. It is important that the homeowner understands the consequences of doing this before they place the order.

Once you have determined what you want then make sure to get everything in writing. Most builders are entirely honest, but a contract will

spell out exactly what is expected of both parties. Do not sign anything until you have read and understood the whole contract.

Pre-Built Cabinets Some budgets will only allow for

the homeowner to use pre-built cabinets. When this is the case, there are some simple steps that will assure you get the best quality.

First, look for solid construction. Try to find products that are made with real wood. Particle board will not stand up as well as real wood. Look for

cabinets that are well constructed with warranties on the hardware, slides and other components.

A warranty is only as good as the company that is behind the warranty. Make sure that you choose a company that has been around for a while. You will want to be able to find them, if the need arises.

Look for a company that will allow you to order special sizes if you need them. While these cabinets will usually be more expensive, you will be happier with the results.

Installation Even if you pick the highest-

quality cabinets and have a brilliant design plan in place, none of that matters if the installation is not done properly. That’s why you need to make finding a high quality, reputable installer your top priority.

The best kitchen cabinet companies have been in business a long time and have plenty of references in your area. If they’re good at what they do, they’ll be proud to show off their work and help you get in touch with their previous customers.


Choose a Physical Therapist who is licensed and has experience with your condition.

Currently most practicing physical therapists have a Doctor of Physical therapy or a Master of Physical Therapy, and some hold a Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Regardless of what degree the physical therapist has, he or she must be licensed in the state in which he or she practices. All Physical Therapy clinics are required to display the Therapist’s State License.

There are also many subspecialties within the field of physical therapy, and it is important that the physical therapist you see is trained in the area for which you are seeking treatment. The three main subspecialties in physical therapy are orthopedics, neurological, and cardiopulmonary.

Orthopedic physical therapists manage and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This includes muscles, soft tissue, and bones. These physical therapists are experienced in treating back and joint injuries. Common diagnoses might be herniated disc, rotator cuff tear, or anterior cruciate ligament tears.

Neurological Physical therapists manage and treat disorders of the neurological system such as spinal cord injuries, strokes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.

Cardiopulmonary therapists manage and treat disorders and diseases of the heart and lungs. These physical therapists focus on treating patients after heart surgery, or patients who have developed lung disorders such as COPD.

When choosing a physical therapist, it is important for you to find one in the subspecialty that best suits your treatment needs. You may also want to call the physical therapy clinic and ask questions regarding the physical therapist’s training and experience. Both training and experience are important.

How to choose a physical therapist

Choose a Physical Therapist based on Quality of Care

The best way to determine quality of care is to ask friends, family, and physicians for a referral. Chances are one or more of your family members have had, or know someone who has had physical therapy. Ask them where they went and what their experience was like. You can also ask your physician for a referral. Many physicians have one or more groups of physical therapists they prefer to work with. It is essential that your therapist and physician work together to help you reach your treatment goals.

Choose a Physical Therapist in a convenient location

Of course, the overall quality of care is the most important factor in choosing your physical therapist, but one of the most frequent reasons for poor outcome in physical therapy is non-compliance. The physical therapy clinic you choose needs to be in a location that you can reasonably access and has business hours that allow you to get the treatment you need.

Choose a Physical Therapist who you are comfortable with

It is important for you to choose a physical therapist with whom you are comfortable. Physical therapy involves a close personal relationship where your physical therapist will frequently need to touch you when evaluating and treating your injury. Physical therapy is often recommended two to three times per week, so you will be spending a lot of time with your physical therapist and it is important that you feel comfortable communicating in detail about your injury and your treatment. You should always feel comfortable asking your physical therapist questions regarding your care.

Keep in mind that your insurance policy may or may not require a referral from your physician to visit a physical therapist and that your insurance may have different copayments and reimbursement rates for clinics that are not in their network. You will want to check with your insurance company to determine your out of pocket cost for the physical therapists you are considering.

You should consider visiting the facility at which you intend to seek treatment. Many physical therapy facilities encourage you to stop by to tour the facility and meet the physical therapists.

The most important thing to remember is that you are a consumer of the field of medicine and you have the right to choose your physical therapist. It is worth the effort to find the physical therapist and the clinic that will suit you and will help you get the best care possible.

Physical therapy is an area of medicine that focuses on treating musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary disorders. When seeking physical therapy services it is important for you to know it is your right to choose your physical therapist. Although your physician may suggest a certain facility, or a specific physical therapist, the decision as to where to go is ultimately up to you.


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Adient Orthopedic Physical Therapy

(907) 455-4401 Appointments Provided

With or Without Referrals Monday–Friday • 7a.m.–6 p.m.

Weekend Hours Available All Insurances Accepted

Our Services Include: Sports Related Injuries • W ork Related Injuries • J oint & Muscle Related Injuries • M anual Therapy

Post- O perative Therapy • S trength & Conditioning • A thletic Training & Sports • S port Specific Training

New Location 1919 Lathrop Street Suite 123

Conveniently located next to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in the Medical, Dental, Arts Building

Across from Big Dipper Ice arena

We do We do

Physical Therapy Physical Therapy

Best! Best! Adient Physical Therapy physical therapists are longtime members of the communities in which we serve. We live, work and play along side you, knowing first hand the types of injuries and physical setbacks that can happen to anyone. Our physical therapists utilize their skills in a relaxed, supportive, one on one professional atmosphere, employing the best techniques to restore function, reduce pain, enhance performance and promote the wonderful wellness that comes from a healthy, active lifestyle.

Jennifer L. Carlson, MSPT • Sierra Shaffer, DPT • Lacie Ott, PTA • Jeremy Lindgren, BS, ATC • Andrea Michel, MS, ATC

Community Outreach – We provide athletic training services to 2 local high schools, provide physical therapy coverage for community events such as Midnight Sun Run and Chena River Run. We sponsor many local at hletes and local teams in a variety of sports, including Fairbanks Ice Dogs, local high school hockey teams , competitive ice hockey, soccer, and softball teams.


How to Save Energy by upgrading your appliances!

There are three simple ways to increase your home’s energy savings TODAY! In fact, many homeowners don’t consider these three things, until something goes wrong with one of them. By being proactive, tremendous amounts of energy can be saved (not to mention your pocketbook will be happy too!) 1. Upgrade your water heater .

By upgrading your water heater to an energy efficient model, you can save your valuable dollars. In fact, if the water heater in your home is more than ten years old, it could be increasing your normal utility bill by up to 25%. By upgrading to the latest technology in water heater design, you could save up to $30 a month. If you have an oil boiler, another option is to upgrade to an indirect water heater. Although it is a higher initial investment, the advantages

outweigh the disadvantages. For example, a conventional hot water heater loses three degrees of temperature per hour, while an indirect hot water heater only loses1/4 of a degree.

If you have a newer electric water heater, an add-on option to save energy would be to install a timer on the water heater. This way, the water heater isn’t heating constantly, only during the times in which you and your family use and need the water most.

2. Water heater maintenance. Just as it’s important to annually maintain the heating system in your home, it is just as important to maintain your water heater. By having an annual flush out done on your

water heater, the lifetime of your water heater will increase. Also, the flush out removes any sediment that has built up on the bottom of the tank.

3. Upgrade your household appliances. Other things homeowners can consider upgrading to improve energy efficiency include: dishwashers, washers/ dryers, and toilets. By upgrading these appliances, you will also save money and energy. Older, inefficient dishwashers use large, unnecessary amounts of water and electricity. Older washers and toilets can also use much more water than required. If dryer vents aren’t cleaned and maintained properly, not only is there efficiency loss, but also a major fire hazard.

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is the reputation of the company. It is important that you give your package to a company you can trust. Any delivery service should be willing to furnish you a list of satisfied customers in your area.

You also should ask about what type of insurance is included with the shipment or if it can be purchased separately. Many shipments have great value. Know how to insure the package and how to collect on the insurance if necessary.

Finally, you should ask whether the company is bonded. Bonding assures the customer in the unlikely event that an employee tries to steal your package.

Reliability Look for a delivery service

with a long track record and lots of happy clients. It helps to have some inside information from friends or co-workers about what services they use, so ask around.

Read reviews of the

service on the Internet. Call the Better Business Bureau to ask about any complaints against the company.

Convenience Since business happens

all the time — even after hours and on weekends — you need to consider whether a delivery company is able to work around your schedule.

Delivery services ought to make your job easy. The best companies will go out of their way to make sure you have a good, trouble- free experience.

It’ s a good idea to look for a delivery company that offers after-hours service for those times when you might need it. This typically will cost more, but convenience and speed will make it necessary for your most critical deliveries.

Pricing Prices matter, of course,

but for a delivery service, it ought to be fairly low on your priority list. As long as their prices aren’ t extremely out of line, it’ s worth it to pay a few extra pennies or dollars for a company that meets your needs.

Delivery services typically are too mission-critical to pinch pennies. If you end up going with a cheaper service that leaves a bad impression with your customers or can’ t deliver a critical package on time, you’ re ultimately going to lose money. It’ s not worth the risk.

All delivery services are not created equal. The lowest price is often not your best deal.

Make sure you study your options before shipping that next package.

As the pioneers settled the United States, they found it necessary to move packages from one location to the next. That’ s why in 1775, the Second Continental Congress created the United States Postal Service.

Today, the United States Postal Service employs more than 574,000 workers who drive 218,000 vehicles delivering packages to homes and businesses.

The second largest delivery service is UPS, which delivers more than 15 million packages per day. The company serves more than 220 countries each day. The company was started in 1907 by James E. Casey as the American Messenger Company.

The third largest delivery service is FedEx with its 42,000 delivery vans and trucks. In the United States, they drive more than 2 million miles each day. Frederick Smith conceived the idea for the company as a student at Yale University.

Whether you want to deal with one of these three big providers or a smaller company, there are key steps you should consider.

Delivery options The first question that

a person hiring a delivery company should ask is about delivery options. Most companies offer a wide range of delivery options, including same day delivery and overnight delivery.

When hiring a company it is important to know when the company will deliver your package and the consequences if they fail to do so.

Reputation The second question a

person will want to consider


Year Round Office 3550 Airport Way

Fairbanks, AK 99709 Phone: 907-479-3196

Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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FREE E-file – Faster refund, greater accuracy, no paper returns to file.

Maximum Refund Guarantee 1 – Get every penny you deserve. We guarantee the largest refund you are entitled to receive.

Always making you feel welcome.

Additional Services – We will share other services that may help with your tax and financial needs.

Year-round Access • To an experienced tax professional. • To your personal online My H&R Block Account.** Provides access to your tax documents, action plans and tools to stay connected with H&R Block.

Tax Audit Assistance – If you’re audited or receive a letter, we’ll help you understand the position taken by the IRS or other taxing authority and assist you in preparing a response.

Always sharing our tax knowledge with you, so you are confident that you receive every penny you deserve.

1 If you discover an H&R Block error on your return that entitles you to a larger tax refund (or small er tax liability), we’ll refund the tax prep fee for that return. Refund claims must be made during the calendar year in which the return was filed. ** Only available in English.

As a valued client every tax return includes:


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Tax codes are becoming more complex every year. As a result, more people are turning to professional tax preparation services when filing their quarterly or yearly returns. You may be considering joining their ranks.

Choose your tax preparer wisely. Employing one can save you a lot of time but selecting a good one requires some sleuthing on your part. Your money and reputation are on the line.

We’re used to looking at the IRS as being the adversary. However, they are the first ones to urge the use of care and caution when choosing a tax professional. Using a tax preparation service does not absolve you of responsibility for your tax return.

The majority of professional tax preparers are honest and reliable, providing excellent services to their clients. Unfortunately, there are those who are less than scrupulous, causing their clients unimaginable legal and financial difficulties.

The one key concept you need to keep in mind is that tax preparers are not certified by the IRS. The federal government does not require tax professionals to have any form of certification of proof of education.

Some state tax entities do require tax preparer licensing, but the industry is generally unregulated. Without formal statutes, you have little guarantee that your tax professional is competent and trustworthy.

The IRS does license its own Enrolled Agents who are required to pass an examination and undertake continuing education to maintain their licenses. The Treasury Department authorizes these Enrolled Agents to represent taxpayers at all levels of an audit. However, this is cold comfort as anyone can tell you who has ever been audited.

How to Choose a Tax Professional

When you are conducting your search for a tax preparer, find out if they are able to represent you if you are audited by the IRS. This is also a good time to inquire about his or her preparer’s audit rate.

You need to know exactly what you are paying for. Make certain the person you’re hiring specializes in tax preparation. Even a certified public accountant might not be a tax specialist. Hiring a CPA is no guarantee against your receiving an IRS audit notification. The federal tax code grows in complexity every year, making it difficult for even tax professionals to stay current with the most recent changes. A CPA specializing in taxation should have documentation of any continuing education classes completed in the past year.

Verify your preparer’s credentials or those of the firm he or she works for. The Better Business Bureau will be able to tell you if the tax preparation service has a questionable reputation. If you are still in doubt, contact your state’s

board of accountancy or your state bar association’s tax lawyers to inquire into the preparer’s professional record.

A legitimate and reputable professional tax preparer should have:

• An affiliation with an organization requiring continuing education

• A fee schedule based on the complexity of your return

• A willingness to answer all of your questions

• Availability extending beyond the preparation and filing of your tax return

• Familiarity with the tax laws of each state in which you file a return

• Familiarity with any special circumstances that may apply to you

• A willingness to include an itemized list of any judgment calls it has made and attach it to your copy of the return

• A willingness to provide an in- person review of any expected refunds with the preparer.

Warning signs of a disreputable tax preparer may include:

• Claims that they can obtain larger refunds than their competitors

• Guarantees of a refund up front • A request for your signature on a

blank tax form • An unwillingness to sign a return,

known as “ghost” preparation. You need to discuss your financial

situation thoroughly with your tax preparation professional because your financial and legal status is at stake. Hire only the one who best meets your needs and who has a proven track record of competence, a sterling reputation, and an attitude of respect toward his clients. The preparer should be prepared to stand behind his work and beside you if you ever need to appear for an IRS audit.


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Jaime is the first point of contact for internet customers. She states what she loves most about her job is problem solving for her customers. “People moving to Fairbanks can contact me and together we can find the perfect vehicle, arrange financing and have the keys ready when they arrive to town.” For people that are already in town, Jaime works to find solutions while your busy working or playing. You can email or contact her at www.fairbankschevy.com .

Jaime was raised in Oregon, but made Alaska her home over 12 years ago. Jaime loves being active and being outdoors. She enjoys riding motorcycles and jet skiing at Harding and Birch lakes. You can find her at the Big Dipper on weekends as she is a huge Ice Dog fan.

Shana advises folks on needed repairs and services and addresses any vehicle safety concerns. She states that her customers are the best part of the job.

She arrived to Fairbanks with the Army in 1999 and upon leaving the military decided to make Alaska her home. She enjoys the Alaskan lifestyle and plays lots of sports including softball, golf and volleyball. Often you can find her snow machining or skiing on the weekends.

Craig has been apart of the auto community in Fairbanks for over 19 years. “I’m glad I’ve gotten to work with some of the same folks in the auto community all these years.”

He moved to interior Alaska at the age of 3 “I like living in Alaska, expect maybe when it gets really cold (-50)”. “Living in Alaska is not has hectic as ‘down south’, people aren’t as wound up.” Craig enjoys playing softball, paints and builds models.

Jaime Baker Internet Sales Manager

Craig Caissie Parts Consultant

Shana Lindsay Service Advisor

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