Vol. 7, No. 03
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Worth the Effort
Badar Munir Ahmad (Zaim Majlis Ansarullah, Syracuse)
We routinely give out free bookmarks with the message "Love for All Hatred for None" at our tabligh stall at the Farmers Market in Syracuse, New York. It is done along with other tabligh campaigns. We hope and pray that people will accept the message, but we are ready for rejections too. So many visitors get the bookmarks from us that it is hard to remember them all. Every now and then someone will say, of course with a smile, “I have so many of them!” We take it as an opportunity to start some interesting conversations. When we hear, “I don’t live here”, it kickstarts our curiosity, but we do not become intrusive. Anyone telling us that he/she is a teacher may end up getting more than enough bookmarks for their students. Some teachers stop by on their own and ask for the bookmarks.
It so happened that a family with some grandchildren was passing by our tabligh stall. I handed over some bookmarks to the granddad for the kids. As he gave a bookmark to his granddaughter who seemed to be about eight years old, she burst with joy and said, "Ooh! This is exactly what we have in our classroom!
It triggers an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and peace. It is well worth the effort to reach out with the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
| Correction The January 20, 2020 email version of Ansar connection had an error in the caption of the picture included. The caption noted Imam Rizwan Khan Sahib being in the picture whereas it should have stated Imam Hammad Ahmad Sahib instead. We apologize for this mistake. The online version here shows the correct caption. |
Many taxpayers can file both their state and federal tax returns for free
Dawood Munir (Na’ib Sadr)
As taxpayers get ready to file their federal tax returns, most will also be thinking about preparing their state taxes. There’s some good news for filers wanting to save money. Eligible taxpayers can file their federal and state taxes at no cost.Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less last year can file their 2019 federal taxes for free this year using IRS Free File. Many of them can also do their state taxes at no charge. They do so through Free File offered either by the IRS or by states that have a similar public-private partnership.
Here’s are few things for taxpayers to know about filing state tax returns through Free File.
- Most people make less than the $69,000 income limit. So, most people can use Free File.
- Generally, taxpayers must complete their federal tax return before they can begin their state taxes.
- More than 20 states have a state Free File program patterned after federal partnership. This means many taxpayers are eligible for free federal and free state online tax preparation.
- The states with a Free File program are: Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia.
- IRS Free File partners feature 10 brand-name online products. They offer most or some state tax returns for free as well. Some of them may charge so it’s important for taxpayers to explore their free options.
- Free File partners will charge a fee for state tax return preparation unless their offer says upfront the taxpayer can file both federal and state returns for free. Taxpayers who want to use one of the state Free File program products should go to their state tax agency’s Free File page.
Send us your stories of brotherhood, Ijtima memories, or any other inspiring experience that we can share with Ansar brothers via this e-newsletter.
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♦ Sadr Majlis
♦ Editor
