La voz january 2016 english

F A R M

January 2016

L A B O R

I N F O R M A T I O N

B U L L E T I N

Voice of the Fields California FREE

Volume 26, Number 1

TA X S E A S O N

Start Filing Your Taxes Now

I

t is never too early to start thinking about your taxes. Going into tax season prepared can help you save time and money.

The Federal and California tax deadline is Monday April 18, 2016. It is important that you file your taxes by the deadline. If you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the federal agency that collects taxes in the U.S., and if you file your taxes late, you can be penalized 5-25% for every month your return is late.

Before filing, your employer will give you a W-2 form on or before January 31st. Your W-2 tells you how much money you earned and how much taxes you paid in 2015. Make sure you receive a W-2 form from each employer you worked for in 2015. If you do not receive your W-2 form(s) you should contact your employer or former employer to see if and when they mailed your W-2. If your former employer has gone out of business it is recommended you contact the nearest bankruptcy court. You may also use your paycheck stubs to obtain a W-2. In order to obtain your W-2 with your paystubs visit www.ftb.ca.gov and complete a Substitute Withholding Statement (FTB 3525 Form), which you will attach to your California return when you file.

Use the information provided on the W-2 when filing your taxes. In addition, if you received government assistance, such as unemployment or disability insurance in 2015, you will need to include the amount you were given on your tax forms. If this situation applies to you, you will receive financial information in the mail from the State of California. Each person’s tax situation is different, so in order to make sure you have included all of the appropriate financial information or documents it is best to seek outside advice from trusted organizations, such as the IRS or IRS-recommended programs. There are various resources that offer free assistance in both Spanish and English, but it is important you verify the legitimacy of the organization before providing them with any personal information.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) The VITA Program provides free tax help to people who make $54,000 or less, have disabilities, are over 60 years of age, or have limited English language skills. VITA provides free

basic income tax return preparation.

The VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, churches, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.

To find a site near you, call 1 (800) 906-9887.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) The TCE Program offers free tax help for all, with priority assistance given to people who are 60 years of age and older. TCE specializes in questions and issues that are unique to retired individuals. To find a TCE center near you, call 1 (888) 227-7669.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) The EITC is a new refundable tax credit that puts money back in the pockets of California’s working families and individuals. If you owe taxes, the Cal EITC reduces the amount of taxes you owe and may allow you to receive a refund after filing taxes. If you do not owe any taxes, the Cal EITC tax credit will give you a tax refund upon filing taxes.

Who can claim EITC? Low to moderate-income filers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Specifically, this credit is available to California households Continued on next page

Taxes

Continued from previous page

with adjusted gross incomes of less than $6,580 if there are no qualifying dependents, less than $9,880 if there is one qualifying dependent, or less than $13,870 if there are two or more qualifying dependents.

If you meet all of the following requirements, you qualify for Cal EITC: r :PV IBWF XBHFT BOE BO BEKVTUFE gross income below the amounts listed above r :PV ZPVS TQPVTF BOE BOZ RVBMJGZing children each have a valid social security number r :PV EP OPU VTF UIF iNBSSJFE 3%1 filing separately� filing status r :PV IBWF SFTJEFE JO $BMJGPSOJB GPS more than half of the tax year How do I claim EITC? You will need to file a California income tax return and complete an FTB 3514, Earned Income Tax Credit form (FTB 3514 Instructions). In order to obtain the form visit www.ftb.ca.gov.

Places that help file EITC? No cost: Trained community volunteers can help you prepare your return and decide if you qualify for the Cal EITC and other refundable credits. To find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations visJU XXX ěC DB HPW BOE TFBSDI i7*5"u in the upper left hand corner.

Fee based: For additional information on selecting a tax preparer go to www.irs.gov BOE TFBSDI GPS iDIPPTF a tax professional.�

City

Street Address

Days / Hours of Service

Telephone

Bakersfield

4825 Coffee Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(661) 632-2799

Camarillo

751 Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(805) 445-4771

Chico

1395 Ridgewood Dr, Chico, CA 95973

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.*

(530) 343-2324

El Centro

2345 S. Second St, El Centro, CA 92243

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(760) 592-2085

El Monte

9350 East Flair Dr, El Monte, CA 91731

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(626) 927-1201

Fresno

2525 Capitol St, Fresno, CA 93721

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(559) 444-2044

Laguna Niguel

24000 Avila Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(949) 389-4002

Long Beach

501 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(562) 491-7751

Los Angeles

300 N. Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(213) 576-3009

Modesto

1700 Standiford Ave, Modesto, CA 95350

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(209) 900-6760

Oakland

1301 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94612

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(510) 907-5000

Palm Springs

556 S. Paseo Dorotea, Palm Springs, CA 92264

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.**

(760) 866-6125

Redding

850 Industrial St, Redding, CA 96002

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.*

(530) 224-0695

Sacramento

4330 Watt Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(916) 974-5225

Salinas

928 East Blanco Rd, Ste. 121, Salinas, CA 93901

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(831) 753-6895

San Bernardino

290 N. D St, San Bernardino, CA 92401

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(909) 388-8108

San Diego

880 Front St, San Diego, CA 92101

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(619) 615-9555

San Francisco

450 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(415) 553-8990

San Jose

55 S. Market St, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95113

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(408) 283-1569

San Marcos

1 Civic Center Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.*** (760) 736-7355

Santa Ana

801 Civic Center Drive W, Santa Ana, CA 92701

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(714) 347-9204

Santa Barbara

1332 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.*

(805) 564-7555

Santa Maria

2384 Professional Pkwy, Santa Maria, CA 93455

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.**

(805) 352-0355

Santa Rosa

777 Sonoma Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(707) 535-3859

Stockton

4643 Quail Lakes Dr, Stockton, CA 95207

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(209) 476-7501

Van Nuys

6230 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(818) 779-3625

Visalia

5300 W. Tulare St, Visalia, CA 93277

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.*

(559) 265-4109

Walnut Creek

185 Lennon Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

M–F / 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(925) 974-3898

*Closed for lunch 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. daily **Closed for lunch 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. daily ***Closed for lunch 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. 1/4–4/29 only

For more information about filing your 2015 tax return visit www.irs.gov or call 1 (800) 829-1040 (Monday through

Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or contact your local IRS office. Listed above are the contacts for California IRS offices.

P ROTE C T YO U R S E LF

Avoid Tax Scams

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n addition to being the federal agency that collects taxes in the U.S., the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also works to protect consumers against scams. Often, individuals and organizations will pose as the IRS in an effort to steal personal and financial information. The IRS has issued several consumer warnings about the fraudulent use of the IRS name or logo by scammers trying to gain access to consumers’ financial information in order to steal their identity and assets. Scammers will typically use regular mail, telephone, or email to set up their victims.

Tax Preparer Phishing Scam more information on how to report With tax season around the corner it is not uncommon to receive a scam email from individuals posing to be a tax preparer. When identity theft takes place over the Internet via email, it is referred UP BT iQIJTIJOH u The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information, nor will the IRS contact taxpayers by text message or through any social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, or any other confidential access information for credit cards or financial accounts. Recipients of false IRS emails should not open any attachments or click on any hyperlinks contained within the body of the message. Clicking on any attachments or links that are planted within a false email claiming to come from the IRS may download a virus onto your computer.

Instead of opening the message, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov. For

phishing scams visit www.irs.gov.

IRS-Impersonation Telephone Scam IRS scams may also occur by phone.

Currently, there is a phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, in which callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not.

These individuals posing to work for the IRS are extremely convincing. They use fake names and false IRS identification badge numbers. They may potentially know personal information about their UBSHFUT BOE UZQJDBMMZ BMUFS UIF DBMMFS *% UP JNJUBUF UIF *34 T DBMMFS *% OVNCFS Victims are often mislead to believe that they owe money to the IRS and must pay it immediately via a preloaded debit card of wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are threatened with deportation, arrest, or suspension of their license. Victims may also be told they have a refund due in an effort to trick them into sharing private financial information.

It is critical to note that the IRS will never do the following:

r $BMM UP EFNBOE JNNFEJBUF QBZNFOU r %FNBOE UIBU ZPV QBZ UBYFT XJUIPVU giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe r 3FRVJSF ZPV UP VTF B TQFDJėD QBZNFOU method r "TL GPS DSFEJU PS EFCJU DBSE OVNCFST over the phone r ĉSFBUFO UP CSJOH JO MBX FOGPSDFNFOU groups and have you arrested r *OJUJBUF UBYQBZFS DPNNVOJDBUJPOT through email If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, you are advised to take the following steps: r *G ZPV UIJOL ZPV PXF UBYFT DBMM UIF IRS at 1 (800) 829-1040. An IRS employee can then notify you of any outstanding payments or issues. r *G ZPV SF DFSUBJO ZPV EPO U PXF UBYFT or know a call was a scam then you should call and report the incident to the Treasure Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1 (800) 366-4484. r :PV DBO BMTP ėMF B DPNQMBJOU VTJOH UIF FTC Complaint Assistant; choose i0UIFSu BOE UIFO i*NQPTUFS 4DBNT u *G the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words i*34 5FMFQIPOF 4DBNu JO UIF OPUFT The IRS has also noted that taxpayers should be aware of other unrelated scams, such as lottery sweepstakes and solicitaContinued on next page

Scams

Continued from previous page

tions about debit relief that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS. To find out about current IRS scams happening in the U.S. visit www.irs.gov. You may also subscribe to the IRS emailing list to receive scam alerts and tax tips.

Information adapted from www.IRS.gov

Ransom Scams Ransom scams are generally the most traumatic scams. Ransom scams occur when a scammer lies about holding a prisoner or item hostage in order to extort money.

In 2015, a few Southern California parents fell victim to ransom scams.

A stranger had called the parents and said their child was being held hostage, and the stranger threatened to harm or kill the child unless a ransom was paid immediately. The suspect used personal knowledge about the child and told the parents not to call 911. The suspect claimed they were monitoring police scanners and would know if law enforcement was notified. The suspect was also using a child decoy to imitate noises and further convince the parents that their child was being held hostage. The victims were then told to withdraw and wire $500-$5,000 to an account.

The caller kept the parents on the phone line until the transactions were successfully completed. Keeping the parents on the phone kept them from verifying that their child was actually missing. Later, the parents learned their child was never kidnapped or harmed in the first place.

Police identified several warning signs

to this possible kidnapping scam: r $BMMT DPNF GSPN B OPO MPDBM BSFB DPEF or an international number, not from the phone of the kidnapped victim. r 4DBNNFST iHP UP HSFBU MFOHUITu UP keep people on the phone line.

Authorities recommend in order to decipher whether or not you are a victim of a ransom scam, ask to speak to the kidnapped victim and listen very carefully to verify whether it is your family member or not.

Authorities also advise victims not to send money or provide financial information to an unidentified individual.

Above all, officials warn, sending money to scammers without contacting the police risks escalating the scam.

Immigration Scams UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

%P OPU GBMM WJDUJN UP TDBNNFST QPTing to work for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or other government agencies. Too often scammers will target immigrants and identify false problems with immigration records and attempt to charge a correction fee. Phone calls, such as the former, are being made by immigration scammers attempting to take your money and your credit card information. It is important to note that USCIS will never call you and ask for any form of payment over the phone. If you receive a phone call that you believe is a scam hang up.

NOTARIOS PUBLICO

In many Spanish-speaking nations, iOPUBSJPTu OPUBSZ BSF QPXFSGVM BUtorneys with special legal credentials.

In the U.S., however, notary publics

are people appointed by state governments to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. i/PUBSJPT QVCMJDPT u BSF OPU BVUIPSJ[FE to provide you with any legal services related to immigration. It is important that you choose the right person to help you when filling immigration forms. In the U.S. notaries cannot formally assist you. Only a licensed attorney can advise you about immigration law and whether PS OPU ZPV RVBMJGZ GPS %FGFSSFE "DUJPO under President Obama’s directive.

FALSE WEBSITES AND BUSINESS PROMISES

Some websites offer guidance on how to complete a USCIS application or will claim they are affiliated with USCIS. It is important to note that USCIS has its own website with free downloadable forms and instructions. You will never be asked to pay for USCIS forms, regardless if you are receiving them inperson or electronically.

Some businesses may guarantee they can help you obtain a Visa, Green Card, or Employment Authorization %PDVNFOU GBTUFS UIBO JG ZPV BQQMJFE directly with USCIS if you pay a fee.

These claims are false. Very rarely are there exceptions to the normal USCIS processing times.

HOW TO AVOID IMMIGRATION SCAMS:

r %PO U TFFL JNNJHSBUJPO BEWJDF GSPN a notary. In the U.S. , notaries cannot give you legal advice or talk to government agencies for you, like USCIS or the Board of Immigration Appeals. r "MUIPVHI TVCNJTTJPO GFFT BSF DPNmon, never pay for a blank government form. You can obtain free im-

Continued on last page

California’s 2016 Minimum Wage Increase

A

s of January 1, 2016 a new state law took effect raising the hourly minimum wage from $9 to $10, affecting thousands of low-income California workers. The pay increase brings the total pre-tax earnings for full-time, minimum wage workers to $20,800 a year. The minimum wage increase is a part of a two-part increase that brought the minimum wage to $9 an hour in 2015, and now to $10 an hour in 2016. This gives California the nation’s highest minimum wage, alongside Massachusetts.

Several California cities, including Los Angeles, Oakland, Emeryville, and San Francisco already have a set minimum wage above $10 per hour. Meanwhile, the national minimum wage sits at $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009.

According to California News Service, two separate branches of the Service Employees International Union are pursuing additional minimum wage ballot measures. One measure would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020 and obligate employers to provide six paid sick days a year, while the second measure would bring minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2021.

Provided below is additional information regarding California’s minimum wage increase.

Can an employee agree to work for less than the minimum wage?

No, an employee cannot work for less than $10 an hour. The minimum wage is a required obligation of the employer and cannot be waived by an agreement.

Do adults and minors receive the same minimum wage?

Yes, the minimum wage is the same for all workers. There is no distinction made be-

tween adults and minors when it comes to work payment.

Can an employer use tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay minimum wage?

Although permitted in some states, no.

In California an employer may not use an employee’s tips as a credit towards their set wage.

What actions can you take if an employer doesn’t pay minimum wage?

If your employer fails to pay you at least $10 an hour you can either file a XBHF DMBJN XJUI UIF %JWJTJPO PG -BCPS Standards Enforcement or file a lawsuit in a court against your employer to recover any lost wages. If you no longer work for the employer, you may still take action and file an additional claim for the waiting time penalty (Labor Code Section 203).

What is the procedure following a filed wage claim?

After you have filed a wage claim with a MPDBM PÄ‘DF PG UIF %JWJTJPO PG -BCPS 4UBOEBSET &OGPSDFNFOU %-4& JU XJMM UIFO CF BTTJHOFE UP B %FQVUZ -BCPS $PNmissioner who will examine the claim and further advise you on how to most successfully proceed.

If it is advised that you hold conference, all parties will be notified by mail of the date, time and location of the conference. Conferences will determine if the case should be moved to a court hearing.

If the claim is moved to a hearing both parties will testify under oath and a decision will be made. If a party is unhappy with the hearings decisions, an appeal may be submitted. The matter will then CF NPWFE UP B XJUOFTT USJBM " %-4& FNployee may represent an individual who is financially unable to afford counsel.

For additional information on the %-4& DPOUBDU UIF OFBSFTU -BCPS $PNmissioner’s Office. Contact information is provided on www.dir.ca.gov.

Information adapted from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations Above the federal minimum wage

Image provided by reclaimtheamericandream.org

Scams Continued from third page

migration forms from www.uscis.gov. r .BLF TVSF ZPV HFU JNNJHSBUJPO BEvice from U.S. government websites UIBU FOE JO i HPWu 0ěFO UJNFT TDBNmers set up sites, but they are not MFHJUJNBUF VOMFTT UIFZ FOE JO i HPWu r %P OPU MFU BOZPOF LFFQ ZPVS PSJHJOBM documents, including your passport. r /FWFS TJHO B EPDVNFOU UIBU ZPV EPO U fully understand or has not been fully completed. r ,FFQ BOE ėMF B DPQZ PG FWFSZ GPSN you submit. r ,FFQ BOZ GPSN TVCNJTTJPO SFDFJQUT from USCIS. If you believe you have fallen victim to an immigration telephone scam, you may report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For additional information visit www.ftc.gov.

ATTENTION High School Seniors!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Students interested in financial aid for college must complete this form. California’s FAFSA deadline is March 2, 2016 by midnight. Although some financial information cannot be completed until your legal guardians or yourself have filed taxes, it is not too early to begin the application process. To begin your application now visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Verify you are on a “ .gov� site when filling out personal and financial information.

Voice of the Fields

California Circulation: 45,000 copies

www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916.388.2220 Fax 916.388.2425 This product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

The opinions expressed in this product are exclusive of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/ or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a fullservice strategy firm that offers quality media relations, crisis communications, public affairs services, and expertise into the growing Latino market.

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract

:PV NBZ BQQMZ GPS UIFTF KPCT CZ QIPOF PS JO QFSTPO BU ZPVS OFBSFTU &NQMPZNFOU %FWFMPQNFOU %FQBSUNFOU &%% Ä—FME PÄ‘DF CalJOBS Number

Job Title

Pay Rate

Contract Dates

Positions

City of Job

Employer’s County

America’sJob Center of California (AJCC)

14642440

Strawberry

$11.89 Hr.

3/07/2016 6/30/2016

100

Oxnard

Ventura

Oxnard AJCC (805) 204-5100

14660390

Strawberry

$11.89 Hr.

3/20/2016 11/30/16

20

Nipomo

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo AJCC ( 805) 903-1400

14660393

Cilantro/Spinach

$11.89 Hr.

3/22/2016 11/30/2016

30

Santa Maria

Santa Barbara

Santa Maria AJCC (805) 614-1550

14653304

Strawberry/Raspberry/ Blackberry

$11.89 Hr.

3/14/2016 7/02/2016

136

Oxnard

Ventura

Oxnard AJCC (805) 204-5100

13898523

Farmworkers Sheepherder

$1777.98 Mo.

on-going

206

California and Western States

California and Western States

Selected AJCCs WSB Offices

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.