“Dear PoPville,
Just wondering if anyone else has received this notification from the DC Tax Refund Status website. I filed a little over a month ago and received a notification that my taxes were accepted and should receive the refund within 7-10 business days. When I checked this morning I received this. What gives? *Puts on tinfoil hat* Buying time because of the government shutdown?”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Chris Williams
“Dear PoPville,
I’m hoping you can give me some advice. I have an emotional support dog. I’m a veteran with some PTSD issues, so this isn’t just a ploy to get my dog on the plane for free. He’s actually in training to become a service dog but is an ESA for now.
I’m flying Southwest on a non stop flight and have all the documentation from my provider that the airline requires. My dog is a large German Shepherd and the website for Southwest says ESA’s must be in a carrier or on a leash in front of the owner. Obviously an 80lb German Shepherd isn’t going to fit in a bag or in a small area. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.
“Dear PoPville,
I’m a new homeowner in DC and live in a rowhouse (in between to other houses). With all the rain the last few weeks, we noticed a leak in our ceiling. We had a contractor come and check out the roof. He even brought a hose to spray the whole roof to see where the leak was stemming from. Upon testing, he found it was actually the issue is stemming the attached home next door whose roof/chimney isn’t properly sealed. The water comes through their chimney and into our shared wall where it collects and leaks into our house. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Lindsey Robinett
“Dear PoPville,
My company just began offering a HSA plan linked with a Catastrophic Bluechoice plan. I am a young health individual and like the appeal of the HSA because its cheap, I am covered if something horrible happens and still get my yearly check up in addition to being able to save tax free for retirement (HSA’s become like normal retirement accounts after 65). What have other PoPer’s experences been with them? Are there drawbacks in practice?”
“Dear PoPville,
I know mail problems are a common irritant of living in DC, and I have had tons of mail fail to show up over the past few years. I’ve tried the USPS online mail finder and complaint system before with no success, so I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I just have to write off the occasional lost birthday card or invite. This time, I wanted to see if popville readers had any suggestions for my latest mail issue. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
This weekend I received a bizarre notice from DC OTR saying that they have no record of my 2015 tax filings — and that I need to reply within 30 days with proof of my 2015 filing or face penalties, fines, and assessments.
It seems that quite a few of our neighbors got a similar letter/notice from the DC OTR stating that OTR has no record of their DC tax return or payment from 2014 or 2015, that they should share their return and a canceled check with them as proof that of filing, and that there will be assessments and penalties if they don’t do this within 30 days. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil
“Dear PoPville,
I was curious if anyone in the federal government who received unemployment compensation during the shutdown had received their letters for repayment from DC Department of Employment Services (DOES)? The website says that recovery efforts would have started February 19th, but I still have not received a letter. I’ve reached out separately to DOES via email (couldn’t figure out how to speak with a live human through the phone), but wanted to see if I was the only one. Thanks!”
Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc
“Dear PoPville,
My organization would like to have a summer gathering at a DC park where we can grill. Are there any good options beside Rock Creek park? We’d like to be metro accessible if possible.
We have done Virginia Highlands park in Pentagon City in the past, but wanted to be in DC proper this year. Thanks!”
“Dear PoPville,
During the renovation of MacFarland Middle School last summer, construction crews removed pavers from the parking lanes on Iowa Ave to put in new water pipes and other infrastructure. The pavers were left on a pallet in the 4400 block.
Construction ended and the school was opened in August, but the pallet of pavers remained. There was still work going on in the general area, but by December it was clear the pavers had been forgotten. (more…)
A buddy of mine is coming to D.C. with two kids and is wondering where are some good options to stay to be close to downtown/memorials/monuments/museums etc. Anyone know of specific Airbnb or more traditional options? Thanks!