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The Holiday Season is upon us again! Please check out the Holidays in Huntingdon brochure for Holiday-themed event listings and special merchandise from Chamber Members by visiting www.huntingdonchamber.com or www.facebook.com/holidaysinhuntingdon.

The Huntingdon Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, December 7th followed by the Huntingdon Christmas Parade on Saturday the 8th at 1:00 p.m. on Washington Street in downtown Huntingdon. Click here for the Holiday brochure. 

We wish you and your family, co-workers and employees a safe and Happy Holiday Season!

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued the 2013 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2013, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 56.5 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The rate for business miles driven during 2013 increases 1 cent from the 2012 rate.  The medical and moving rate is also up 1 cent per mile from the 2012 rate.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle.  In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.

These and other requirements for a taxpayer to use a standard mileage rate to calculate the amount of a deductible business, moving, medical, or charitable expense are in Rev. Proc. 2010-51. Notice 2012-72 contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan. 

2013 will soon be upon us and we want to get ideas from you on seminar and Coffee Connection topics. We like to hold monthly seminars on topics that will help you grow your business and educate your workforce. Coffee Connections are held quarterly on topics important to our members. Please email your Coffee Connection ideas to Mike at mbalchin@huntingdonchamber.com. Seminar ideas can be emailed to Zac at zwaite@huntingdonchamber.com.  

It is important to the Chamber that our events address your needs, so please take a moment to tell us what topics will  assist you.

Approximately 180 people attended the Small Games of Chance Session held at the Smithfield Fire Hall last night. The event was co-sponsored by Senator John Eichelberger, Representative Mike Fleck and the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce. Click here for the event presentation. 

Travelers return from the November 1-8 Tuscany Trip. To see more photos visit www.facebook.com/HuntingdonChamber.

The Chamber is once again offering a trip to China. The trip includes round trip bus transportation to JFK, round trip air transportation directly from JFK International Airport to China, 4 and 5 star hotels, three meals each day, sightseeing, a deluxe tour bus, fluent English-speaking tour guides and entrance fees. Sights include the Great Wall, Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, the Summer Palace, Lingering Garden, Yu Garden, Lingyin Temple, a boat cruise on the West Lake, and a visit to the Bund. Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou and Hangzhou will be visited. The trip cost is $2,199 (double occupancy).