Free online tax filing offered
The Idaho State Tax Commission has announced that state and federal income tax returns can be filed free by those who qualify at tax.idaho.gov.
A news release describes electronic filing as a "fast, easy way to file taxes and allows taxpayers to get a refund within two weeks versus six to 10 weeks if they file by paper."
To obtain further details, go to the Idaho State Tax Commission's Web site, tax.idaho.gov, and see the "Hot Topics" box at the top of the home page.
Online W-2 filing for employers
Employers can now manually enter their W-2s online and submit them electronically at tax.idaho.gov, the Idaho State Tax Commission announced.
"Most businesses with few employees usually have to hand write or type their W-2s to send to the tax commission," said Renee Marsh, tax automated systems specialist. "The new service cuts down on paperwork and keeps a filing history for employers."
For more information, contact Marsh at (208) 332-3531 or at efilehelp@tax.idaho.gov.
Idaho milk production rises
Idaho's milk production during December 2007 totaled 985 million pounds, an 8.2 percent increase from the same month in 2006, a United States Department of Agriculture news release states. The increase also put the month's production at more than 35 million pounds more than in November.
Average milk production per cow in Idaho in December was 1,870 pounds, up 60 pounds from November, and up 50 pounds from December 2006, according to the USDA. The average number of milk cows in Idaho during December was 527,000 head, up 2,000 head from November, and up 27,000 head from December 2006.
Real estate soars in Jackson Hole
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. (MTN)—Real estate sales in Jackson Hole topped $1.5 billion last year. There were fewer transactions, but dollar volume rose 19 percent. The median sale price last year rose 27 percent, and the average sales price rose 24 percent. Those statistics come from David Viehman, who owns Jackson Hole Real Estate & Appraisals. He said real estate appreciated more in 2007 than any other year so far this century.
The Jackson Hole News & Guide says that Sotheby's International Realty, relying on the more narrow data from the Multiple Listing Service, echoed those findings. Its data show that the higher end market is becoming a large part of the total pie—a clear trend for several years both in Jackson and most other resort-based valleys in the West.
Will it stay the same? Some say yes, but Clayton Andrews, of Sotheby's, pointed to the elections and economic turbulence as potential causes for a downturn. "Jackson Hole has been protected from these issues in the past, and we will have to wait to see what effects they will have this year."
Jigsaw to host 3 lunches
Jigsaw, a nonprofit organization founded by valley resident Jima Rice to promote educational and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Wood River Valley, will host three lunches during February.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Dan Goldstein, program director of the Environmental Resource Center, will discuss different ways for the valley's business community to implement green practices and to support businesses with eco-friendly products and services.
This brown-bag lunch will take place at the conference room of the Ketchum branch of Zions Bank and is free to Jigsaw members and $8 for non-members.
Mountain Rides Chairman Peter Everett will speak about national transportation and the valley's future on Friday, Feb. 22, at A Taste of Thai in Hailey. He will discuss national trends in federal transportation policy and outline implications for the area. The lunch is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
The final lunch of the month will take place on Friday, Feb. 29, also at the Zions Bank conference room in Ketchum.
Linde Hoff, development officer for Zions Bank, will discuss how to assemble the appropriate financial team for business success, including criteria for selecting the right professionals.
All lunches start at noon and anyone interested in attending must RSVP by 5 p.m. the day prior by calling 726-1848.
