Every American with an income of $56,000 or less is now able to use free online tax preparation services available on the IRS website before the April 15th tax deadline. The online program offers free step-by-step preparation and filing services for 70 percent of American taxpayers.
"The Free File Alliance walks taxpayers through the filing process to make it quick, easy and secure," said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. "With the recession trimming budgets everywhere, this program helps Americans by offering essential tax preparation at no cost for all 98 million Americans making $56,000 or less."
Taxpayers who would like to take advantage of the Free File service can visit the IRS website, www . . .

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a cigarette maker's appeal of a $79.5 million award to a smoker's widow, ending a 10-year legal fight to keep her from collecting.
In a one-sentence order, the court left in place a ruling by the state of Oregon Supreme Court in favor of Mayola Williams. The state court has repeatedly upheld a verdict against Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA in a fraud trial in 1999.
The judgment has grown to more than $155 million with interest, and Williams stands to collect between $60 million and $65 million, before taxes and payments to her lawyers . . .

As AIG uses the bailout to hand out bonuses, a new report says people of color continue to bear the heaviest burden in the current economic recession. According to the Center for Social Inclusion, communities of color continue to be disproportionately deprived of infrastructure spending, job creation and other key government services. The report's authors call for the government to use some of the billions in federal stimulus money to focus on the needs of communities of color. . . .

Winona LaDuke will tackle a wide range of topics including climate change and sustainable energy, genetic food modification, freedom of religion for Native Americans, and the role of women in politics. . . . "LaDuke is such a wonderful role model for young women... from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds . . .

The Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation (AAAHRP) has announced that its 2009 Black History Conference, to be held at Seattle University on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and March 22, will be the organization's final conference in Seattle. Future conferences will be held in other states.
AAAHRP conferences have evolved from a local history conference to an international event. . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

The Skanner Annual Black History Edition is out now.
The theme is on using online resources to discover your history.
 Click here to read it.

As crocuses bloom and thoughts turn to the outdoors, registration for Seattle Parks and Recreation's spring youth sports activities is getting under way at West Seattle and South Park community centers.
Teams are forming for participation in girls softball, track and field, and Westside Nerf Soccer, and for these educational sports programs: . . .

Nordstrom is committed to our communities. We think supporting the development of our young people in their pursuit of higher education is a great place to start. For this reason, we're pleased to offer the Nordstrom Scholarship Program to high school juniors who would like to go on to college. . . .

Checking this…