Got pets, eviction record? Tips to get into that rental

Terry gets free meals and maid service, but the year-old pit bull mix spends his days in a concrete-floor pen.

He was dropped off at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in Virginia because his owners were moving -- a top reason that pets are left at shelters. A recent renter survey by Apartments.com found that more than 84% of respondents own a pet, and that more than one-third of survey respondents found it very difficult to find an apartment that allowed pets.

But even if your baggage includes animals, or other concerns such as financial problems or a prior eviction, there are ways to convince landlords to rent to you.

Behavior counts for a lot, experts say.

"Your best way to move with animals is to make sure that the animals are well behaved," said Tara Blot, executive director of the Alexandria facility.

Breeds perceived as dangerous may not be covered by insurance, and tenants with three parakeets, two turtles and four dogs are going to have problems finding an apartment or a house.

Owners of cats and small dogs -- 20 pounds or less as defined by the American Kennel Club -- will have an easier time finding a rental. Yet it is possible to get your big dog into an apartment

Years ago when Blot was trying to find a place that would take her two great Pyrenees dogs, which weighed in at a total of about 200 pounds, she invited the landlord to meet the dogs "and see that they were calm, low-key, well-behaved dogs," she said. Many properly trained and socialized large dogs are more sedate than their toy counterparts and can pose less risk of property damage.

To show that you are a responsible owner, bring a copy of the vet's last bill and records of your pet's registration and health history, including shots. The AKC offers a canine good citizen program certifying dogs that have good manners at home and in the community.

"The landlord's going to be concerned about the damage that your pet is going to do," Blot said. "If you have a well-behaved pet you are less likely to have damage."

Pet owners can also get a recommendation letter from their vet or a prior landlord.

"If you've lived somewhere with this pet before, why not ask for references from where you lived before," Blot said.

Show them the money

Paying an extra month's deposit up front can "go a long way toward easing concern" about a pet, Blot said.

For prospective tenants with financial problems or even an eviction history, it's important to re-establish your credibility, experts say.

Provide proof that you can pay the rent with paperwork such as pay stubs and bank statements. Show your history of paying bills on time for services such as utilities.

"Most [landlords] are human beings," said Ronald Childs Jr., deputy director for Lydia's House, a nonprofit housing counseling agency in Washington. "They weren't all born rich. They understand what it takes to get ahead."

Childs also recommends dealing directly with a landlord or property manager, rather than going through an agent or a large apartment community so that tenants can supply a clear and direct explanation of their situation.

Make a good first impression

Even if you have bad credit, or a pet that makes you less attractive to a landlord, you can still make a good impression.

Copyrighted, MarketWatch. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MarketWatch content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MarketWatch. MarketWatch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

You're getting a tax refund so you filed early. So where's your check?

Well you can stop bugging your mail carrier. There are more productive ways to track down your Internal Revenue Service cash.

Now you can check your refund status via the Internet or a special toll-free hot line.

The Waiting Game

Since 2003, taxpayers have been able to use the IRS' "Where's My Refund" Web page, to track down refunds directly from their own computers.

But exactly when you need this service depends on how you filed your return. Processing times differ for paper and electronically filed 1040s. How you ask the IRS to send you your money also makes a difference.

If you e-file and request direct deposit, the IRS says it should take no longer than three weeks for you to get your refund. If you filed a paper return and asked that your check be mailed to you, it could take up to eight weeks.

Once you're past the time frame for issuance of your refund, it's time to log on and locate your money.

Necessary Tracking Data

To get started, you'll need your Social Security number, the filing status entered on your return and the amount you're expecting. Joint-return filers should enter the name and tax ID number of the spouse shown first on the return.

And don't do any rounding on the refund amount entry. The tracking program wants precise dollars and cents.

If you have any questions about exactly what information the IRS wants here, the "Where's My Refund" program has links that will open up new screens with explanations of where you can find the information on your copy of your return.

Once you've entered the necessary data, then click and wait for the good news that your check is in the mail.

Dialing for Tax Dollars

If you don't have access to a computer or simply prefer using a telephone, you still can call the IRS to track down your refund.

A special automated toll-free line is dedicated to refund status reports. When you call (800) 829-1954 you'll need the same information the online system requires.

In addition to having a copy of your return on hand, it's always a good idea to have paper and pen ready to jot down any information, additional instructions or follow-up phone numbers that you might receive during the call.

And, as with the online system, don't call unless it's been the requisite number of weeks for your filing method.

What's the Holdup?

In most cases, the IRS says a taxpayer will learn via the Web site or by phone that his return was received and is being processed.

When the tax check is indeed in the mail, the tracking systems will provide the date it was sent out or directly deposited to the filer's chosen account.

But even when the news is bad, the online program might be able to offer some immediate help. If, for example, the U.S. Postal Service bounced your refund check back to the IRS as undeliverable, the Web tracker has been enhanced this year to allow some taxpayers to correct or change their mailing addresses so they can get their refunds ASAP.

If this option is available in your case, "Where's My Refund?" will prompt you to take the appropriate online steps.

Speeding up the Process

Waiting any longer than necessary for a refund is one of the most infuriating parts of the filing process. That's why the IRS encourages taxpayers to do what they can to speed up the process.

The quickest path to your refund, says the IRS, is through e-filing and refund direct deposit. This usually cuts a refund wait to half of what paper filers face. In fact, says the agency, some refunds, especially those filed for early in the tax season, are issued in as little as two weeks.

Sometimes a slow refund is the filer's fault rather than the result of an overwhelmed IRS. Refunds are delayed when a taxpayer makes a mistake on a return, causing the agency to spend time tracking down the correct data. Some common filing blunders are math miscalculations, a mismatched name and Social Security number, a missing signature or omitted attachments such as W-2s or IRS schedules.

What If It's Lost?

Occasionally, though, a tax check actually is lost.

If your online or automated phone inquiry reveals your refund was mailed but it still hasn't shown up, this year you can begin an online refund trace using the "Where's My Refund?" program. This option is available for filers who are still waiting for refund money the IRS says was mailed at least 28 days earlier. If this is your situation, the online program will prompt you to take the next steps.

You also can call the IRS's main help line at (800) 829-1040. But be forewarned: During the filing season, you're probably in for a wait.

More localized assistance might be a better move. Check the IRS' "How to Contact Us" Web page for local and regional agency addresses and numbers.

Once the IRS verifies your refund check is lost or stolen, the replacement process will begin. You might be asked to complete Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, to get the ball rolling.

What If the Check Is Wrong?

When a refund check finally arrives, sometimes there are more questions than answers.

If you get a refund and you weren't expecting one, or the check is for more than you thought you'd get, don't cash it. The IRS should send you a notice explaining the difference, along with any additional information or instructions. If you don't get an explanatory letter within two weeks of getting your questionable refund, it's time to call (800) 829-1040 again.

On the other hand, if your refund is less than you expected, go ahead and cash the check. If further investigation reveals that you should have received more, the IRS will make up the difference (plus a bit of interest if it takes more than 45 days to correct the error) and send you another check for the balance due.

Check Your Bank Account

The IRS has one final piece of advice for anxious filers still looking for that refund: If you requested direct deposit, check your bank account regularly.

The IRS will simply transfer the money to your financial institution without sending you any other notification. It's up to you to find out if the refund is already in your account.

Copyrighted, Bankrate.com. All rights reserved

Got pets, eviction record? Tips to get into that rental

Terry gets free meals and maid service, but the year-old pit bull mix spends his days in a concrete-floor pen.

He was dropped off at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria in Virginia because his owners were moving -- a top reason that pets are left at shelters. A recent renter survey by Apartments.com found that more than 84% of respondents own a pet, and that more than one-third of survey respondents found it very difficult to find an apartment that allowed pets.

But even if your baggage includes animals, or other concerns such as financial problems or a prior eviction, there are ways to convince landlords to rent to you.

Behavior counts for a lot, experts say.

"Your best way to move with animals is to make sure that the animals are well behaved," said Tara Blot, executive director of the Alexandria facility.

Breeds perceived as dangerous may not be covered by insurance, and tenants with three parakeets, two turtles and four dogs are going to have problems finding an apartment or a house.

Owners of cats and small dogs -- 20 pounds or less as defined by the American Kennel Club -- will have an easier time finding a rental. Yet it is possible to get your big dog into an apartment

Years ago when Blot was trying to find a place that would take her two great Pyrenees dogs, which weighed in at a total of about 200 pounds, she invited the landlord to meet the dogs "and see that they were calm, low-key, well-behaved dogs," she said. Many properly trained and socialized large dogs are more sedate than their toy counterparts and can pose less risk of property damage.

To show that you are a responsible owner, bring a copy of the vet's last bill and records of your pet's registration and health history, including shots. The AKC offers a canine good citizen program certifying dogs that have good manners at home and in the community.

"The landlord's going to be concerned about the damage that your pet is going to do," Blot said. "If you have a well-behaved pet you are less likely to have damage."

Pet owners can also get a recommendation letter from their vet or a prior landlord.

"If you've lived somewhere with this pet before, why not ask for references from where you lived before," Blot said.

Show them the money

Paying an extra month's deposit up front can "go a long way toward easing concern" about a pet, Blot said.

For prospective tenants with financial problems or even an eviction history, it's important to re-establish your credibility, experts say.

Provide proof that you can pay the rent with paperwork such as pay stubs and bank statements. Show your history of paying bills on time for services such as utilities.

"Most [landlords] are human beings," said Ronald Childs Jr., deputy director for Lydia's House, a nonprofit housing counseling agency in Washington. "They weren't all born rich. They understand what it takes to get ahead."

Childs also recommends dealing directly with a landlord or property manager, rather than going through an agent or a large apartment community so that tenants can supply a clear and direct explanation of their situation.

Make a good first impression

Even if you have bad credit, or a pet that makes you less attractive to a landlord, you can still make a good impression.

Copyrighted, MarketWatch. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MarketWatch content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MarketWatch. MarketWatch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

You're getting a tax refund so you filed early. So where's your check?

Well you can stop bugging your mail carrier. There are more productive ways to track down your Internal Revenue Service cash.

Now you can check your refund status via the Internet or a special toll-free hot line.

The Waiting Game

Since 2003, taxpayers have been able to use the IRS' "Where's My Refund" Web page, to track down refunds directly from their own computers.

But exactly when you need this service depends on how you filed your return. Processing times differ for paper and electronically filed 1040s. How you ask the IRS to send you your money also makes a difference.

If you e-file and request direct deposit, the IRS says it should take no longer than three weeks for you to get your refund. If you filed a paper return and asked that your check be mailed to you, it could take up to eight weeks.

Once you're past the time frame for issuance of your refund, it's time to log on and locate your money.

Necessary Tracking Data

To get started, you'll need your Social Security number, the filing status entered on your return and the amount you're expecting. Joint-return filers should enter the name and tax ID number of the spouse shown first on the return.

And don't do any rounding on the refund amount entry. The tracking program wants precise dollars and cents.

If you have any questions about exactly what information the IRS wants here, the "Where's My Refund" program has links that will open up new screens with explanations of where you can find the information on your copy of your return.

Once you've entered the necessary data, then click and wait for the good news that your check is in the mail.

Dialing for Tax Dollars

If you don't have access to a computer or simply prefer using a telephone, you still can call the IRS to track down your refund.

A special automated toll-free line is dedicated to refund status reports. When you call (800) 829-1954 you'll need the same information the online system requires.

In addition to having a copy of your return on hand, it's always a good idea to have paper and pen ready to jot down any information, additional instructions or follow-up phone numbers that you might receive during the call.

And, as with the online system, don't call unless it's been the requisite number of weeks for your filing method.

What's the Holdup?

In most cases, the IRS says a taxpayer will learn via the Web site or by phone that his return was received and is being processed.

When the tax check is indeed in the mail, the tracking systems will provide the date it was sent out or directly deposited to the filer's chosen account.

But even when the news is bad, the online program might be able to offer some immediate help. If, for example, the U.S. Postal Service bounced your refund check back to the IRS as undeliverable, the Web tracker has been enhanced this year to allow some taxpayers to correct or change their mailing addresses so they can get their refunds ASAP.

If this option is available in your case, "Where's My Refund?" will prompt you to take the appropriate online steps.

Speeding up the Process

Waiting any longer than necessary for a refund is one of the most infuriating parts of the filing process. That's why the IRS encourages taxpayers to do what they can to speed up the process.

The quickest path to your refund, says the IRS, is through e-filing and refund direct deposit. This usually cuts a refund wait to half of what paper filers face. In fact, says the agency, some refunds, especially those filed for early in the tax season, are issued in as little as two weeks.

Sometimes a slow refund is the filer's fault rather than the result of an overwhelmed IRS. Refunds are delayed when a taxpayer makes a mistake on a return, causing the agency to spend time tracking down the correct data. Some common filing blunders are math miscalculations, a mismatched name and Social Security number, a missing signature or omitted attachments such as W-2s or IRS schedules.

What If It's Lost?

Occasionally, though, a tax check actually is lost.

If your online or automated phone inquiry reveals your refund was mailed but it still hasn't shown up, this year you can begin an online refund trace using the "Where's My Refund?" program. This option is available for filers who are still waiting for refund money the IRS says was mailed at least 28 days earlier. If this is your situation, the online program will prompt you to take the next steps.

You also can call the IRS's main help line at (800) 829-1040. But be forewarned: During the filing season, you're probably in for a wait.

More localized assistance might be a better move. Check the IRS' "How to Contact Us" Web page for local and regional agency addresses and numbers.

Once the IRS verifies your refund check is lost or stolen, the replacement process will begin. You might be asked to complete Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, to get the ball rolling.

What If the Check Is Wrong?

When a refund check finally arrives, sometimes there are more questions than answers.

If you get a refund and you weren't expecting one, or the check is for more than you thought you'd get, don't cash it. The IRS should send you a notice explaining the difference, along with any additional information or instructions. If you don't get an explanatory letter within two weeks of getting your questionable refund, it's time to call (800) 829-1040 again.

On the other hand, if your refund is less than you expected, go ahead and cash the check. If further investigation reveals that you should have received more, the IRS will make up the difference (plus a bit of interest if it takes more than 45 days to correct the error) and send you another check for the balance due.

Check Your Bank Account

The IRS has one final piece of advice for anxious filers still looking for that refund: If you requested direct deposit, check your bank account regularly.

The IRS will simply transfer the money to your financial institution without sending you any other notification. It's up to you to find out if the refund is already in your account.

Copyrighted, Bankrate.com. All rights reserved

试用过IE7英文测试版之后，也没觉得特别期待了，不过CNBATE上看到这条消息，还是转过来再说吧

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基于Bo-Blog“简约咖啡”风格和我做的BMForum“夏日冰蓝”风格，改做了一款For Bo-Blog的“夏日冰蓝”风格，虽然知道还有许多地方没有考虑周全，不过花了一天时间做出来，我自己已经比较满意了。也希望大家喜欢^^。“夏日冰蓝”风格For Bo-Blog/For BMForum版同时发布。有兴趣的朋友可以到论坛里去下载。

论坛地址：../bbs/topic.php?filename=80282

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