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“H&R Block incorrectly tells its customers that a tax refund can be obtained within two days – these payments are loans, not legitimate tax refunds,” Brown warned. “Consumers should know that such quick payments result in high interest rates and heavy fees.”
It takes between eight and 15 days for the Internal Revenue Service to send refunds to individuals who use direct deposit and 21 and 28 days to obtain a refund by mail.
H&R Block, however, told customers that they could get their refunds within two days. These payments were actually loans offered by H&R Block that has annual percentage rates, including fees, of 80 percent or higher. According to publicly filed documents, millions of Californians have received these loans since 2001.
California law and the Internal Revenue Service require that tax preparers distinguish between tax refunds and “refund anticipation loans” that are based upon the expected tax refund amount.
According to California Business and Professions Code Section 22253.1 (a), “any tax preparer who advertises the availability of a refund anticipation loan shall not directly or indirectly represent the loan as a client’s actual refund.”
At a hearing Friday afternoon, the attorney general asked the San Francisco Superior Court to issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting H&R Block from continuing to represent its loans as tax refunds. The court has scheduled a hearing to decide the matter on April 3.
Investigators in the Attorney General’s Office called H&R Block offices throughout California, requesting information about how long it would take to get tax refunds. Two-thirds of the H&R Block representatives told investigators that refunds can be sent to taxpayers within two days, without disclosing the fact that it was actually a loan.
Most of the people who get the loans receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. People who earn this credit typically make between $10,000 and $35,000 and have several dependents, making them especially vulnerable to high-interest loans.
“For years, H&R Block has not disclosed the fact that a two-day return is a loan, not a true tax refund,” said Brown. “It is shocking that the company still continues this unlawful business practice and fails to properly train its employees.”
Friday’s request for an injunction is part of an ongoing lawsuit against H&R Block, filed in 2006, alleging that the company engaged in false or deceptive advertising in its marketing of high-cost loans to low-income families.
California’s lawsuit alleges that H&R Block violated IRS rules prohibiting the company from directly providing loans. According to the lawsuit, the company provided customers with the loan applications, filled out the applications, and sent the applications to the banks. H&R Block also provided customer’s loan money on an “Emerald” ATM card that came with heavy fees and costs.
Defendants in the case include H&R Block Services, Inc.; H&R Block Enterprises, Inc.; H&R Block Tax Services Inc.; and Block Financial Corp. Last year, H&R Block’s total revenues exceeded $4 billion.
For more information on California's lawsuit against H&R Block, visit: http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1261&year=2006&month=2.
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Campaign for the Community is PG&E’s annual employee and retiree giving campaign to raise money for nonprofit organizations and schools.
The nearly $3.9 million in individual contributions have been directed by employees and retirees to go to a variety of organizations and programs, including the REACH (Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help) program, Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way, children’s charities, hospitals, hospice, schools and many other community and environmental groups.
“PG&E employees have once again demonstrated their commitment to giving back to our communities with a new record for donations to community-based organizations and schools,” said Ophelia Basgal, vice president of civic partnership and community initiatives at PG&E. “Whether it’s a financial donation or an investment of their personal time in a community project, PG&E employees and retirees stand out for their generosity and desire to make a difference.”
One-time gifts and payroll deduction pledges for this year were made by 7,580 employees and retirees. The average annual gift pledge from employees is $510. Many of these pledges will be matched by the company, putting even more funds into local communities.
PG&E employees also used a number of creative special event fundraisers, including book and food sales, a mini golf tournament and water dunk tanks. These events raised nearly $63,000 for charity which is a 66-percent increase over last year.
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Wiggins was one of only six senators (out of 40) to vote with labor 100 percent of the time last year, according to the federation’s recently-released 2007 legislative scorecard.
The California Labor Federation is comprised of more than 1,200 local unions representing 2.1 million men and women.
The federation assessed legislators’ votes on 35 bills, on subjects ranging from health care, disability payments and lift policies for nurses to family leave and tribal gaming compacts.
Twenty-three of the bills were approved by both houses of the Legislature and sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who signed three into law and vetoed the other 20.
“In a year which featured little progress for California’s working families, I felt it was important to not only stand for positive change, but also against efforts to roll back previous gains such as daily overtime pay or lunch breaks for workers,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins, who represents the state’s large 2nd Senate District, is chair of the Senate Committee on Public Employment & Retirement.
The 2nd Senate District is made up of portions or all of six Northern California counties – Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma.
Visit Wiggin's Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.
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Brock is responsible for the management of sales in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. Shannon Ridge is owned by longtime grape grower and vineyard consultant Clay Shannon and his wife Margarita.
Brock joined Shannon Ridge from Cecchetti Wine Co. where she worked as northwest regional manager and assisted in the launch of this new wine venture. Prior to that, she worked as northwest regional manager for Lake County-based Langtry Estate and Vineyards. Brock also worked as a regional sales manager for Manteca-based Delicato Family Vineyards where she implemented sales plans, winery goals and profit objectives.
Early on in her career in the wine industry, Brock worked as northwest regional manager for Guenoc Winery (known today as Langtry Estate and Vineyards) and St. Supery Vineyards and Winery. She lives in Napa.
“Shannon Ridge has expanded into the northwest market and Kathy’s experience in the wine industry with other Lake County wine brands will prove to be a great addition to our sales team,” explained John Girty, vice president of sales and marketing for Shannon Ridge. “We are excited about expanding into the northwest region with the Shannon Ridge wines and Kathy is a welcomed addition to the team.”
For further information, please visit www.shannonridge.com or call 998-9656.
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