February 12, 2015 meeting 


The meeting was attended by 18 members, about 6 visiting Kiwanians and two guest speakers.  Jack Russell of the Spokane Valley club won the 50/50 drawing.  Steve reported on Cheney High Key Club activities and Keith reported that the assisted living residents at Cheney Care Center are ready to help prepare the plastic eggs for the egg hunt in early April.




Our guest speakers were Dawna Reed and Debra Wheatly from H + R Block.  Dawna gave background on the company - it is international; has existed since 1955 and the seasonal Cheney office has been open for 19 years.  Debra is an enrolled agent and spoke about personal income tax return changes due to the Affordable Care Act.  For 2014 there is a check box to indicate if taxpayers and dependents had insurance coverage in 2014.  If someone has insurance through the Washington Health marketplace, they will get a form confirming 2014 coverage.  For taxpayers who have other health coverage, they will get a confirming form starting in 2015.  She explained that a taxpayer can be subject to penalties if any household member doesn't have coverage for the entire year.  This applies to anyone under 21 who resides in your home and is supported by the taxpayer; it also includes anyone the taxpayer can claim as a dependent even if the taxpayer doesn't actually claim that person as a dependent.  The penalty increases in 2015 and again in 2016.