Tom Carper | United States Senator for Delaware E-mail Senator Carper

Focus On Finances


Resources for People Facing Mortgage Crisis

Every three months, 167,000 homeowners in the United States go into foreclosure. Losing a home can be financially and personally devastating. The best way to stop or prevent foreclosure is to act fast and become better educated, resulting in making smarter decisions.

Delaware is one of the smallest states in the nation. It is home to an estimated 311,000 households, with 73 percent of these households owning their own home.

In Delaware, the Office of the State Bank Commissioner has partnered with the Attorney General's Office, Delaware State Housing Authority and housing counselors across the state to promote a better understanding of the foreclosure process and encourage residents to speak up quickly when they fall behind on their home mortgage payments. Some resources provided are:

More information and resources are available through the state of Delaware's Foreclosure Information site. .

Finally, please do not hesitate to contact one of my offices for additional assistance.


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Resources for Small Business Owners


Starting, Operating or Closing a Business — Whether you are a budding entrepreneur, or an established business owner, you will find everything you need to start and manage your business venture.
Business Taxes — The form of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how you pay them.

Getting Started
Tax Information for Businesses — If you run a small business or are self-employed, the IRS Web site offers a wide variety of information to help you.
Checklist for Starting a Business — This checklist provides the basic steps you should follow to start a business.
Business Structures — When beginning a business, you must decide what structure to use. Legal and tax considerations enter into this decision.
Employer ID Numbers — An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN.
Online Application Form SS-4, Employer Identification Number — Apply online for the Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number.

IRS Forms and Publications
Forms and Publications — Need an IRS form or publication?

Electronic Filing
e-file for Business and Self-Employed Taxpayers — The IRS offers several electronic filing options designed specifically for the business filer. There are several ways you may choose to participate in the IRS e-file for Business programs.
QuickAlerts "More" e-file Benefits for EROs — Get on board and be one of the thousands of tax professionals that currently receive information on up-to-the-minute e-file events.

Employees
Businesses With Employees — Information about hiring, recordkeeping, and other topics for business owners with employees.
Independent Contractor vs. Employees — Before you can determine how to treat payments you make for services, you must first know the business relationship that exists between you and the person performing the services.
Employment Taxes for Small Businesses — If you have employees, you are responsible for Federal Income Tax Withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA).
IRS Withholding Calculator — This easy-to-use calculator can help you figure your employees' Federal income tax withholding so you can withhold the correct amount from their pay.
Retirement Plans for Small Businesses — Are you looking for information on employee retirement plans in order to provide better service to all your employees?

Talk With The IRS
Contact a Local Office — IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers are your one-stop resource for face-to-face tax help and solutions to tax problems, every business day.
Taxpayer Advocate Service — The Taxpayer Advocate is an independent organization within the IRS. They help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommend changes that will prevent the problems.

Learning Center
Online Classroom — The Small Business/Self-Employed Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop is designed to help new and existing small business owners understand and meet their federal tax obligations.
Small Business Tax Workshops — Throughout the country various non-profit and government organizations offer small business workshops.

Resources
Small Business Resources — This section offers links to a broad range of resources across federal and state agencies.
e-News for Small Businesses — e-News for Small Businesses is a free electronic mail service designed to provide tax information for small business owners and self-employed individuals. Sign-up and you will receive information about:
Abusive Tax Schemes
Tax Scams - How to Recognize and Avoid Them — To help the public recognize and avoid abusive tax schemes, the IRS offers an abundance of educational materials. Participating in illegal schemes to avoid paying taxes can result in imprisonment and fines, as well as the repayment of taxes owed with penalties and interest. Education is the best way to avoid the pitfalls of these "too good to be true" tax scams.


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Annual Free Credit Report

In 2003, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, originally passed in 1970, was amended to allow consumers to request one free credit report each year through any of the three big credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). This new legislation also made it easier for consumers to correct mistakes on their credit report and possibly seek damages if a mistake on their report caused statuary damages.

To ensure your financial privacy and help prevent identity theft, experts recommend that you check your credit report, for free, once a year to prevent or detect fraud.

Find more information here and Frequently Asked Questions .


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