04/17/06 Grant Money & Tax Deadline

Grant money and tax deadline. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Last week the USDA announced the availability of $20 million dollars in grants to rural areas. The grants are to be used to strengthen distance learning and telemedicine programs in rural America. Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr made the announcement by saying quote, "USDA Rural Development`s funding for distance learning and telemedicine will help to bring technology into rural America to build strong and vibrant communities." Applications for the $20 million in grants must be received by June 12, 2006 and will compete nationally for funding. Go to www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information on the distance learning and telemedicine program. Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, over $177 million has been invested in local distance learning and telemedicine programs, allowing 3,635 rural educational facilities to expand their access to modern telecommunications technology, and 1,650 health care institutions to develop technologies needed to enhance local medical care. Well for those of us that have a hard time getting our taxes done and put them off until the last minute&the last minute is here. Since April 15th fell on a Saturday the IRS is giving you until tonight at midnight to get your taxes filed. If there is no way you can get your taxes done by tonight, University of Maryland's Extension Family Finance Expert, Madeline Green, says you can file for an extension. GREEN: And at the same time you apply for an extension, that extension will carry you into August. And if in fact you get your taxes done at the end of April or May, fine. And if in fact you find that you were off in the amount that you paid, you make up the difference. Or if in fact you overpaid, then you apply for your refund. Refund? Who said anything about getting a refund. Green says those who owe money but can't come up with it& GREEN: We can ask the IRS to work out a payment plan for us. Maybe a little better planning is in store for 2006. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.