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NEW TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS |
 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remind the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver's license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. DHS will be issuing a notice in the Federal Register formally announcing the change.
This change is a necessary step to prepare travelers and ease the transition to the future requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI proposes to establish documentation requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. As recommended by the 9/11 Commission, Congress enacted WHTI in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. WHTI will result in both enhanced security and increased facilitation across the border once implemented. During this transition, DHS and the Department of State are working diligently to minimize the impact on legitimate trade and travel.
Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. However, as of January 31, 2008:
- Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted
- U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
- Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
- Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel
All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change.
DOS reminds the public that the current turnaround time for a passport is four to six weeks, so Americans planning international travel may wish to apply now. For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport visit www.travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778. Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/. To learn more about NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/. |
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TAX TIME APPROACHING |
IRS's January 8th Tax Talk Today Program Gives Small Businesses a Head Start on the Upcoming Tax Filing Season
This annual program picks up where the December program ended ("Getting Ready for the Filing Season 2008: Part 1 (Individuals"). The show's panel of experts will discuss business tax return issues for small businesses and self-employed taxpayers, recent tax law changes and updates for the 2007 tax year, IRS regulations, business credits, common errors, and processing issues which impact filing business returns for the 2007 tax year.
Sponsored by the IRS, Tax Talk Today is a free, live, monthly interactive Web cast aimed at educating tax professionals and their business clients on the most contemporary and complex tax issues. They are encouraged to watch and submit questions. Tax professionals in need of continuing education credits (CECs) are eligible to receive one CEC by viewing the January 8th Webcast. Click on Continuing Education at the TTT Web site for more information.
The one-hour live programs begin at 2 p.m. ET on the second Tuesday of each month except April and August. In addition to viewing live Webcasts and archived programs, listening to audio podcasts and reading show transcripts, subscribers can order audio and video recordings from the Tax Talk Today Web site.
To access the Webcast at no charge, viewers can register online at www.TaxTalkToday.tv. Tax Talk Today can be viewed with Windows Media Player and Real Player. Both players are free software that may already be installed on your computer. If not, click the link for Installing System Software to view Internet Broadcast under "How to View." If you missed the program, the December 11 Webcast is accessible for viewing via archive for 12 months at Tax Talk Today. A transcript of the show is also available, as well as an audio podcast. For more information on future programs, go to the TTT Web site and selectUpcoming Programs.
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