Tax Freedom Day, April 19:

Tax Freedom Day, April 19: Congratulations, Youêve Made Enough to Pay Your Taxes

While most news reports focused on April 15 as the deadline for filing individual income tax returns, another important tax observance happened on April 19, Tax Freedom Day, the day when Americans have earned enough money to pay off their tax bill for the year.

According to The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937, Tax Freedom Day occurred on April 19 for the second straight year eight days earlier than in 2001 and 11 days earlier than in 2000. The last time that Tax Freedom Day fell on April 19 prior to last year was in 1991 and 1992. It has been as late as April 30 in the last decade. As a matter of reference, Americans work an average of 109 days to pay for federal, state, and local taxes; 61 days for housing and household operation; 35 days for food; and 28 days for transportation.Comparatively, local residents donêt fare much better.Virginia residents came off the hook on April 15 (21st highest in the nation), Marylanders on April 17 (17th highest), and DC residents wait until May 7 to get relief.Alaska has the lowest tax bite while Connecticut is the highest.

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Alert

The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce has recently learned that a group calling itself the Regional Chamber of Commerce is sending bogus, unsolicited invoices to businesses throughout Northern Virginia.This ALERT has been issued by the Better Business Bureau. Any Fairfax County Chamber member that receives these unsolicited invoices is encouraged to alert the Virginia Office for Consumer Affairs immediately at 1 (800) 552-9963; press 0 to speak to the Counselors Section. Also, make sure that any invoices you receive and pay are clearly marked as coming from the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. Please call the Fairfax County Chamber office at (703) 749-0400 if you have any questions.

Loudoun County Sheriffês Alert: Hit and Run Vehicle

The Loudoun County Sheriffês office is asking residents and dealers to be on the lookout for an early 1990ês Toyota Corolla of unknown color that was involved in last weekês fatal hit and run on Route 7 just prior to Sterling Boulevard. The vehicle may have possible front end or passenger side damage and may be missing the passenger side mirror. If you have any information regarding this incident or have seen a vehicle matching this description please call the Loudoun County Sheriffês office immediately at 703-777-1021, or Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.