Montrose County Soliciting Photos for Contest

MONTROSE – Montrose County is currently accepting photos for consideration for the cover of the updated land use master plan. Photos will be accepted until 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1, 2010.

The winning photo will be chosen on the basis of the best overall representation of Montrose County. Ideas for consideration include, but are not limited to, natural resources, agriculture, tourism, and transportation. Photos representing the various geographical planning areas of Montrose County, including the West End, Maher, North Valley (Olathe/Pea Green area), and the South Valley (Montrose, Colona, Cimarron area), will also be included in the Master Plan document.

Photos for consideration may be delivered to the County Administration Building located at 161 S. Townsend Ave., attention Stephanie Barnett. There is no limit as to how many photos may be submitted by any one individual. All photos submitted for consideration must include the name and contact information of the individual submitting the photo. Winners will be announced at the Feb. 22. Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Photos that are not selected will be available for pickup at the county administration building after March 1.

Ouray Business Round Tables Resume

OURAY – Ouray Business Round Tables will resume in January, with a series focusing on financial resources, particularly examining Federal and State government efforts to open the credit pipeline and create economic stimulus.

The Business Round Table sessions are being moved to the third Wednesday of each month with the first session taking place on Jan. 20, 8-9:30 a.m. at the Ouray Community Center.

Several representatives from Region 10 will be presenting the January session, discussing tax credits and sharing loan information specific to businesses operating in this region of Colorado.

The Round Tables are sponsored by the City of Ouray Community Development Committee. Further information is available from Rick Noll, Director of Ouray City Resources at 970/325-7065.

IRS Reminds Car Shoppers about 2009 Tax Break

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service is reminding individual taxpayers who are considering buying a new car that they have until Dec. 31 to take advantage of a tax break that may not be around in 2010.

Taxpayers who buy a new, qualifying new motor vehicle after Feb. 16 this year can deduct the state or local sales or excise taxes they paid on the first $49,500 of the purchase price. Qualifying motor vehicles include new passenger automobiles, light trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes.

Individuals who itemize and those who take the standard deduction can benefit from this tax break. In states without a sales tax, other taxes or fees can qualify if they are assessed on the purchase of the vehicle and are based on the vehicle’s sales price or as a per unit fee.

The deduction is reduced for joint filers with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) between $250,000 and $260,000 and other taxpayers with MAGI between $125,000 and $135,000. Taxpayers with higher incomes do not qualify.

Taxpayers who take the standard deduction need to complete Schedule L and attach it to Form 1040 or Form 1040A to increase the standard deduction by the allowable amount of state or local sales or excise taxes paid on the purchase of the new vehicle. Also, check the box on line 40b on Form 1040 or line 24b on Form 1040A. Individuals who itemize should include the allowable amount of state or local sales or excise taxes from the purchase of the vehicle on Form 1040, Schedule A.

More information is available at www.IRS.gov.