http://www.tulsaworld.comThe latest news and information from the Tulsa World.5Copyright 2013, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.'Downy mildew' sounds like a fluffy thing you'd find on fallen fruit, but it's a monster that is eating America's favorite bedding plant, impatiens walleriana./article.aspx/Action_Line_Venerable_impatiens_are_under_attack/20130520_15_A2_ULNSef919144?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorMon, 20 May 2013 06:48:42 CDT Dear Action Line: As spray polyurethane foam helps homeowners qualify for energy saving tax credits and rebates, what are its attributes and applications? - M.K., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Spray_foam_insulation_can_lead_to_big_savings/20130519_15_E2_bDearA87962?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 19 May 2013 04:09:29 CDTDear Action Line: What is the bad news on prepaid debit cards? I've heard some concerning stories from friends and coworkers. - S.B., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Prepaid_debit_cards_have_their_drawbacks/20130517_15_E4_bDearA751286?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 17 May 2013 05:14:41 CDT Dear Action Line: Are there any simple guidelines on how overdrafts occur? My daughter-in-law seems to think that all she has to do is call the voice-information teller at the bank to find out how .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Know_the_rules_for_overdraft_fees/20130516_15_E3_bDearA242937?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 16 May 2013 03:40:26 CDTThe Institute of Consumer Financial Education in San Diego asks people in the six economic-stage groups, 'At what age will you start saving?' People 65 and older who have never saved but now have only .../article.aspx/Saving_is_habit_thats_never_too_soon_to_start/20130515_15_E4_CUTLIN219776?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 15 May 2013 03:13:16 CDT Dear Action Line: Everyone wants to send donations to the Boston Marathon bombing victims, but no one knows how to do so. What's the official word on this? - C.T., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Boston_Marathon_charity_to_distribute_funds/20130512_15_E2_bDearA167804?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 12 May 2013 04:05:56 CDTDear Action Line: Someone told me Republicans are trying to scuttle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by having its director's appointment thrown out by the courts./article.aspx/Action_Line_Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau_opponents/20130510_15_E4_bDearA103077?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 10 May 2013 03:28:04 CDTDear Action Line: Is it true people with higher degrees make more money than people with four-year degrees? What are the other invalid assumptions people make about wealth - gaining it and keeping it? .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Financial_truths_and_money_myths_explained/20130509_15_E4_bDearA212523?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 09 May 2013 03:12:12 CDTThe U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission protects investors and the public from fraud in the commodity futures and options markets. Created by Congress in 1974, it is an independent agency with the .../article.aspx/Commodity_Futures_Trading_Commission_designed_to_protect/20130508_15_E4_TheUSC303556?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 08 May 2013 02:47:59 CDTThe May issue of Consumer Reports magazine details Consumers Union's ratings of 12 mattress models that performed well in tests and cost less than $1,000 (see the report at /article.aspx/Action_Line_Mattress_buying_tips_help_consumers_get/20130505_15_E2_TheMay10832?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 05 May 2013 03:36:57 CDTThe Federal Trade Commission announced April 2 that judges for its Robocall Challenge (tulsaworld.com/FTCRobocallChallenge) had selected two individual winners in a tie for the $50,000 prize for 'best .../article.aspx/Action_Line_FTCs_Robocall_Challenge_winners_named/20130503_15_E4_TheFed403064?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 03 May 2013 05:24:41 CDTCon artists have long used wire transfers as mechanisms for separating consumers from hard-earned cash. Now scammers are increasingly using 'reloadable debit cards' in their schemes to extract funds, says .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Prepaid_debit_cards_offer_new_scam_methods/20130502_15_E4_Conart180798?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 02 May 2013 05:39:11 CDTIn March 2013, Mississippi dead debt buyer-collector Security Credit Services LLC and debt collection law firm Jacob Law Group PLLC settled a Federal Trade Commission complaint in a Georgia federal court .../article.aspx/Dead_debt_collection_suit_settled_between_FTC_Security/20130501_15_E4_CUTLIN850024?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 01 May 2013 04:33:17 CDT Dear Action Line: Just recently I got a letter from the IRS asking for information. Does this mean I am about to be audited? - S.H., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_What_to_do_if_the_IRS_asks_for_more_information/20130428_15_E2_bDearA217507?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 28 Apr 2013 04:46:07 CDTDear Action Line: This tax season, having returned home three times from the tax preparer's office to look for forms I forgot, I vowed to be prepared for next tax season. What all is involved in that? .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Getting_ready_for_your_2014_taxes/20130426_15_E3_bDearA626721?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 26 Apr 2013 14:32:35 CDTDear Action Line: I found some tax credits I should have included on my Form 1040 but I already submitted it April 12. How do I change my submitted return? - S.K., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Fix_errors_with_amended_tax_return/20130425_15_E3_bDearA959102?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 25 Apr 2013 03:28:57 CDTAs baby boomers approach retirement, those nearing their 65th birthdays are told, 'Now is the time to sign up for Medicare even if we are not yet drawing Social Security benefits and already have group .../article.aspx/Medicare_sign_up_should_begin_before_65th_birthday/20130424_15_E4_CUTLIN249101?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 24 Apr 2013 02:46:23 CDTDear Action Line: I was pulled over for 'improper lane change,' which I see other drivers doing a lot. What are the other big traffic violations? - Right Turn Clyde, Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Big_traffic_violations_will_bring_big_fines/20130421_15_E2_erAtoi794285?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 21 Apr 2013 02:43:23 CDTDear Action Line: I know the tax deadline has passed, but don't stop answering tax questions. What is the IRS 'Fresh Start Program' that avoids tax liens? - D.T., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Tips_on_how_to_avoid_IRS_tax_liens/20130419_15_E4_bDearA643391?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 19 Apr 2013 05:34:31 CDTDear Action Line: What is my best course of action if I have not filed my income taxes by the April 15 deadline? - V.L., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Act_quickly_if_filing_your_income_taxes/20130418_15_E4_bDearA637322?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 18 Apr 2013 05:16:01 CDTEvery year, corporations and wealthy individuals avoid paying $150 billion in taxes by using complicated accounting maneuvers to shift their profits to offshore tax havens, according to the Federation .../article.aspx/Offshore_havens_take_away_150_billion_in_taxes_yearly/20130417_15_E4_CUTLIN193067?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 17 Apr 2013 05:27:27 CDTDear Action Line: I got $2,900 back on my taxes and usually spend this on a trip or some new gizmo for the garage. My wife thinks we should put it on the credit card debt or in the bank. What do you think? .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Paying_off_debt_best_way_to_use_tax_refund/20130416_15_E6_bDearA820948?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorTue, 16 Apr 2013 04:03:52 CDTDear Action Line: I am still preparing my income tax return and heard a warning on a TV magazine shows that 'people should get their tax returns in early to avoid having their refunds stolen' by online .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Guard_against_theft_of_tax_refund_identity/20130414_15_E2_bDearA490030?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 14 Apr 2013 02:56:49 CDTDear Action Line: How do you determine your income tax filing status? If I'm single and paying for rent, does that make me a 'head of household?' - D.L., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Tax_filing_status_can_be_determined_quite/20130412_15_E4_bDearA423786?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 12 Apr 2013 05:16:05 CDT Dear Action Line: There are things I'm not sure of on my 2012 tax return, which I have yet to file. What things most usually go wrong with tax returns? - M.T., Jenks/article.aspx/Action_Line_Eight_common_tax_return_errors_to_avoid/20130411_15_E4_bDearA310921?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 11 Apr 2013 03:52:33 CDTMany taxpayers face penalties and interest on unpaid taxes this time of year, leaving millions worrying about how they will pay their taxes./article.aspx/Taxpayer_should_be_straightforward_with_IRS_if_unable/20130410_15_E4_ULNSou501666?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 10 Apr 2013 02:34:53 CDTDear Action Line: Are there really taxes on unemployment benefits? - D.N.O., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_Report_unemployment_benefits_on_tax_return/20130409_15_E3_bDearA606772?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorTue, 09 Apr 2013 06:12:38 CDTDear Action Line: Any ideas on making tax filing less taxing? - S.D., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Still_time_to_file_timely/20130407_15_E2_erAtoi346687?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 07 Apr 2013 04:13:24 CDTDear Action Line: Every April I gather a pile of tax papers and fret about them until I box them and rush down to the tax place. They always send me home for documents I forget. Is there a checklist to .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Checklist_can_make_tax_filing_less_painful/20130405_15_E4_erAtoi878101?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 05 Apr 2013 04:53:53 CDTDear Action Line: What are the guidelines on charitable contributions? - M.T., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_What_to_know_about_charitable_contributions/20130404_15_E4_bDearA282633?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 04 Apr 2013 06:56:57 CDTEvery March the Internal Revenue Service issues 'Dirty Dozen Tax Scams,' its list of the most common tax avoidance scams people fall for at tax time. It warns that when tax-saving programs or systems sound .../article.aspx/Consumer_page_Know_which_tax_tips_are_fraud/20130403_15_E4_EveryM360310?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 03 Apr 2013 06:51:51 CDTDear Action Line: How do I file for the retirement saving credit? - L.U., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_Get_up_to_2000_in_tax_credit_for_retirement/20130402_15_E6_bDearA382364?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorTue, 02 Apr 2013 07:12:15 CDTEarly April is the time of year when gardeners get ready for warm-season vegetables./article.aspx/It_almost_time_for_warm_season_planting_in_Tulsa_area/20130401_46_A2_CUTLIN961459?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorMon, 01 Apr 2013 02:41:07 CDT Dear Action Line: I applied for a loan and the lender responded that I was 'too close to bankruptcy to qualify for a loan.' What's up with this? - W.N., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_Closeness_to_bankruptcy_can_lead_to_credit/20130331_15_E2_bDearA924582?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 31 Mar 2013 04:00:30 CDTDear Action Line: What ever happened to freedom of choice, 'the customer is always right' and the option 'paper or plastic?' Some of us don't want our government refunds on credit cards but still want .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Group_seeks_paper_options_for_government/20130329_15_E4_bDearA455718?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 29 Mar 2013 06:59:20 CDT Dear Action Line: I received an email from the IRS asking for my credit card number and my son said, 'No. This is a fishing scam.' It had nothing to do with fish and he said you could fill me in. .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Dont_get_hooked_by_IRS_phishing_schemes/20130328_15_E4_bDearA521539?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 28 Mar 2013 04:16:35 CDTFor the 13th year in a row, identity theft topped the list of consumer complaints filed nationally, accounting for 18 percent of the over 2 million complaints logged into the Federal Trade Commission's .../article.aspx/Action_Line_ID_theft_tops_list_of_IRS_complaints/20130327_15_E4_CUTLIN585064?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 27 Mar 2013 03:00:11 CDTDear Action Line: I understand that even though I didn't make enough money in a past tax year to be required to file a tax return that I missed out on a tax credit I'm eligible for 'just for working.' .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Many_Oklahomans_have_money_waiting_at_IRS/20130326_15_E6_bDearA110608?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorTue, 26 Mar 2013 07:05:48 CDTA bill introduced March 4 in the Texas House of Representatives would create Hurricane Mitigation Week, during which sales tax exemptions for buying hurricane-mitigation equipment would be in effect. The .../article.aspx/Storm_preparation_Texas_lawmaker_wants_to_make_hurricane/20130320_15_E4_CUTLIN4782?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 20 Mar 2013 03:07:39 CDTDear Action Line: We've had a lot of medical and dental bills in 2012 and want to know if these can be deducted from our taxes. - W.P., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Some_medical_dental_bills_can_be_deducted/20130317_15_E2_bDearA550530?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 17 Mar 2013 07:03:49 CDTDear Action Line: I started Social Security benefits last year and continued working. I want to know if my working income, with the benefits, are now taxable. - R.T., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_Employment_income_may_make_Social_Security/20130315_15_E4_bDearA499054?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 15 Mar 2013 04:49:36 CDT Dear Action Line: How do you get extensions on filing your tax returns? - S.H., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_What_you_shold_know_about_tax_return_extensions/20130314_15_E4_bDearA861695?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 14 Mar 2013 03:54:10 CDTA memorandum from acting IRS Commissioner Steven T. Miller to all 'IRS employees' says 'March 1 marks the effective date of across-the-board spending cuts, known as 'sequestration,' for nearly all federal .../article.aspx/IRS_commissioner_outlines_how_federal_spending_cuts/20130313_15_E4_CUTLIN805642?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 13 Mar 2013 02:56:46 CDT Dear Action Line: I appreciate the fact 'small businesses' represent 97 percent of all employers and that small businesses provide 54.3 percent of all private sector jobs, but is there any source .../article.aspx/Action_Line_Theres_plenty_of_tax_help_online_for_small/20130312_15_E3_bDearA168565?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorTue, 12 Mar 2013 07:15:49 CDTNow is the time to plant 'cool season' crops as they can all go in the ground as seed or seedlings around this time; their harvest dates arrive just ahead of the July heat./article.aspx/Now_is_time_for_cool_season_planting/20130311_15_A2_CUTLIN475188?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorMon, 11 Mar 2013 02:48:51 CDT Dear Action Line: Please explain the difference between 'dependents' and 'exemptions' used confusingly in IRS tax forms. - H.R., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_IRS_offers_6_facts_about_dependents_exemptions/20130310_15_E2_bDearA973490?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorSun, 10 Mar 2013 05:07:42 CDTDear Action Line: How can I get last year's tax information from the IRS? - R.P., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_IRS_offers_help_getting_last_years_tax/20130308_15_E4_bDearA687677?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorFri, 08 Mar 2013 05:01:12 CDT Dear Action Line: What all documents am I supposed to gather before 'taking my taxes' to the tax return preparer or free tax preparation service? - E.S., Tulsa./article.aspx/Action_Line_Time_to_organize_your_2012_tax_information/20130307_15_E4_bDearA343780?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorThu, 07 Mar 2013 15:23:03 CDTLast July, Edmunds.com published “the 10 cheapest 2012 cars to own and operate.” Including ownership — depreciation, financing interest, insurance premiums, fuel cost, maintenance and repair — the online .../article.aspx/10_cheapest_cars_to_own_and_operate_cost_about_40_cents/20130306_15_E4_CUTLIN535422?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorWed, 06 Mar 2013 02:37:30 CDTDear Action Line: I heard Consumer Protection Week was coming soon but haven't seen anything about it locally. What have you heard on this? - S.S., Tulsa/article.aspx/Action_Line_Consumer_Protection_Week_focuses_on_rights/20130305_15_E3_bDearA1456?rss_lnk=15PHIL MULKINS World Action Line EditorTue, 05 Mar 2013 07:02:11 CDT