It feels like spring has arrived and we’ll hope we can avoid any late-season snowstorms (as well as disastrous flooding). Because the threat of flooding is so elevated for so much of our region, we thought we would include a link to a story we did last month on preparing for spring flooding.

Spring is a wonderful time to do some cleaning and get your house in order. If you’re considering hiring a professional organizer to assist you with that, we have some great tips in this month’s issue.  We’ve also included some guidance for those considering contributing to the relief effort in Japan in the wake of the tragic earthquake that struck earlier this month and the ensuing tsunami, as well as tips on how to find a reliable tax preparer. Don’t forget, the filing deadline this year is April 18th!

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In the wake of the most powerful earthquake to ever hit Japan, many Americans want to help those impacted by the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota warns donors to exercise caution when making donations to relief agencies and charities.

"In the face of any disaster, Americans will immediately step forward with donations to aid the victims and their families," said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. "Unfortunately, we’ve seen time and time again that scammers will try to take advantage of the generosity of the public after a disaster, which is why it’s so important to take your time and do your research before donating to relief efforts."

The start of spring kindles enthusiasm in many people to create a more organized environment. But when it comes time to actually do the work, we realize organization takes more time and patience than most of us have, and the help of a professional organizer might be needed. “Organizing our home and work spaces are important tasks and often helps us feel happier in our surroundings,” said CEO Dana Badgerow. “But you want to be certain you understand what an organizer does – and doesn’t – do, and how he or she operates before you allow them access to your home.”

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) encourages taxpayers to do their research before selecting tax preparation help or they may get hit with fines and fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late. The BBB also cautions against tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other tax preparers. According to the IRS, if your returns are prepared correctly, every preparer should derive substantially similar numbers.

Every month, the BBB informs the public of an absolute ‘no,’ a fraudulent scheme or offer they should never consider or take part in under any circumstance. The absolute no for March is a solicitation generally sent out via e-mail – ‘The IRS Scam.’ Here’s how this scam works: you receive an e-mail ostensibly from the IRS telling you either there’s a problem with your taxes or you have overpaid your taxes. Generally, there’s a link for you to click on or an attachment in the e-mail. If you receive an unsolicited e-mail claiming to be from the IRS or any other IRS-related components, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payer System (EFTPS), you should report them to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail.