In short

Last day to pay the taxman without fees

Today is the deadline to file tax returns for employees who earned income during 2007. Failure to file will result in a late fee that is based on the employee’s 2007 earnings.

There is no obligation to file if you did not meet the minimum income requirements.

The minimums are:

-$3,400 if you are claimed as a dependent on someone elses taxes.

-$8,750 if you file your own taxes.

Federal tax forms can be downloaded from the Internal Revenue Service’s Web site, www.irs.gov. Oregon tax forms can be downloaded at www.oregon.gov/DOR/forms.shtml.

An extension to file by October 15 may be granted for special circumstances if a Form 4868 is filled out by the end of today.

Student Legal and Mediation Services are operating a free service to help students file their taxes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the School of Business Administration in room 350.

–Robert Seitzinger

ASPSU student senator candidates to debate in Smith today

Student government hopefuls will be debating this week in what is the final week before the annual ASPSU elections kick-off April 21.

Student senator candidates will debate their goals for next year from noon to 2 p.m. today in Parkway North (SMSU 101). Presidential and vice presidential candidates will debate for the second time on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Multicultural Center (SMSU 228).

The PSU Debate Team is facilitating the ASPSU candidate debates and will be asking the candidates questions. There will also be a chance for students to question the candidates.

Last week, presidential candidates and Student Fee Committee chair and member candidates debated on their platforms and plans for the 2008-2009 school year.

Online-only voting for the ASPSU elections through www.banweb.pdx.edu, start next Sunday, April 20 and end on Saturday, April 26. Students can vote for president and vice president, SFC chair, SFC members and student senators for next year.

–Stover E. Harger III

City council candidates to square off on campus

Candidates vying for Sam Adams’ Portland City Council seat are participating in a forum in Smith Memorial Student Union, room 327, today at 12:30 p.m.

The six candidates will be discussing their platform issues and answering questions about higher education in Portland. Students can ask the candidates–Jeff Bissonnette, Charles Lewis, Amanda Fritz, Chris Smith, John Branam and Mike Fahey–their own questions during an open question and answer period.

This is the first of three political forums the Vanguard will be hosting during April. Candidates for the Portland City Council seat No. 2 will be on campus on April 22 at 1 p.m. in room 327 of Smith. Democratic candidates for the upcoming U.S. Senate race will be at Portland State on April 30 at 12:30 p.m. in the Smith Center Ballroom, room 355.

For additional information, contact Craig Lowrie at 503-725-4544 or [email protected].

–The Vanguard