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Economic outlook seminar Feb. 7

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana is bringing its Economic Outlook Seminar roadshow to Kalispell on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

The seminar runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The bureau will release its Montana Economic Report, a comprehensive assessment of economic activity in Montana, during the event. Included in the report is information about the U.S. economic outlook, an in-depth look at the Montana economy and assessments of nine key industry sectors in Montana — technology and innovation, farming and ranching, real estate and residential construction, energy and logistics and transportation, among others.

Bureau Associate Director Bryce Ward will present the keynote address, “The High Wage Jobs Puzzle — Finding Montana’s Place in the New Geography of Jobs.”

Continuing education credits are available. Groups of five or more can receive a discount by registering online at http://www.bber.umt.edu/.

For more information or to register, visit BBER online at http://www.bber.umt.edu/ or call 406-243-5113.

Tax season gets underway

The Internal Revenue Service is now accepting and processing 2016 federal individual income tax returns. More than 153 million returns are expected to be filed this year.

People have until Tuesday, April 18, 2017 to file their 2016 returns and pay any taxes due. The deadline is later this year due to several factors. The usual April 15 deadline falls on Saturday this year, which would normally give taxpayers until at least the following Monday. However, Emancipation Day, a Washington, D.C., holiday, is observed on Monday, April 17, giving taxpayers nationwide an additional day to file. By law, D.C. holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the same way federal holidays do, the IRS said. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 16 to file.

The IRS expects more than 70 percent of taxpayers to get tax refunds this year. Last year, 111 million refunds were issued, with an average refund of $2,860.

A law change now requires the IRS to hold refunds on tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit until Feb. 15. Under this change required by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, the IRS must hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with the tax credits. Even though the IRS will begin releasing those refunds on Feb. 15, many early filers still will not have actual access to their refunds until the week of Feb. 27, the IRS said. The additional delay is due to several factors, including weekends, the Presidents Day holiday and the time banks often need to process direct deposits.

This law change gives the IRS more time to detect and prevent fraud. Beyond the tax credit refunds and the additional security safeguards, the IRS anticipates issuing more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

Flathead economic outlook session to be held Feb. 21

Montana West Economic Development issued a “save the date” alert for the 15th annual Flathead Forecast economic outlook session on Feb. 21.

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast and networking, with the presentation from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Arts and Technology Building on the Flathead Valley Community College campus.

Joe Mahon, regional economist for the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, will be a featured speaker. Specializing in tracking economic trends within the Federal Reserve’s Ninth District — which includes Montana — Mahon is uniquely equipped to address the economic concerns of Montanans.

The cost is $20 for Montana West members and $30 for members of the public. Register online at www.dobusinessinmontana.com or call Montana West Economic Development at 406-257-7711.

Job fair planned at SKC in Pablo

Salish Kootenai College will hold a career fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Joe McDonald Health and Wellness Center (the SKC gymnasium) on campus in Pablo.

Employers, recruiters, students and potential employees are encouraged to attend.

Registration information is posted at http://career.skc.edu or call Lennie Webster at 406-275-4826.