Camping Reservations Opening Day is February 1

Book your summer solace! Reservations begin in February. Note the two dates: 2/1 and 2/5.

Campground Reservations Call Center Opens for:

• ONLY Sebago Lake State Park on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST*Online Campground Registration and information is at www.CampWithME.com

*Storm Date if Maine State Government is closed - Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Group Camping Reservations also begin. Phone numbers are listed on this linked page.

All Others - Friday, February 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST. for all 12 of the State Park Family Camping Sites. (Storm date if Maine State Government is closed - Monday, February 8, 2021.)

• Campground Rates by location
• Campground Maps & Campsite Photos
• Pets at campgrounds and in the parks
• RVs & Campers information
• Reviews by Rubys on the Road

Call for Artists - Allagash Wilderness Waterway Visiting Artist Program 2021

Applications may be submitted for the Allagash Wilderness Waterway 2021 Visiting Artist Program beginning on Monday, February 1. Application deadline is February 28.

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) has fueled the imagination of native Americans, rusticators, and artisans for centuries. When Henry David Thoreau made his journey to Pillsbury Island on Eagle Lake in the mid-1800s, he was inspired to write about his adventure in The Maine Woods. Since then, many visitors have attempted to capture the Allagash headwater lakes and lower river's beauty and solitude through stories, drawings, photography, and music.

To honor this history, the AWW is continuing its Visiting Artist Program. The program's goal is to immerse an artist in the exceptional AWW wilderness to interpret and share their experience through their art.

The selected artist will receive:

• Rustic cabin lodging* on the Waterway for two weeks during the month of August
• An orientation to the Waterway by AWW rangers
• Opportunity to invite one guest to join them free of charge

Please note that no stipend is provided.

* The one-room cabin provided is located at Lock Dam on the northern end of Chamberlain Lake. It is approximately 10 miles from the boat launch at the southern end of Chamberlain Lake and 60 miles from the nearest town, Millinocket. It does not have electricity. It has hand-pumped running water, a woodstove, gas appliances (cookstove, and refrigerator) and solar-powered lights.

Learn more about this program by:

• Watching the conversation with Michael Vermette to hear about his experience on the AWW as the First Visiting Artist. 
• Visiting  the AWW webpage: maine.gov/allagash-  where a link to additional information and the online application will be live on 2/1/2021.

211: Services and Support

Find services in your area by selecting an area of need or by searching by keyword. You can also dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.

COVID-19 Information

Due to the spread of COVID-19, many agencies have changed how they offer programs and services. Contact 211 Maine to learn about the types of assistance available during the pandemic.

Heating Fuel Payment Assistance

If you need help paying to heat your home, 211 Maine can help connect you with heating fuel assistance programs to keep you and your family safe and warm.

Housing

Learn about programs that offer rental assistance, subsidized housing, and housing vouchers that can help families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities afford housing.

Substance Use Resources

Find resources for drug and alcohol addiction treatment, support, and rehabilitation. If you or a loved one are struggling with opiate addiction, 211 Maine can help you find information about local programs.

Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline

1-888-568-1112 (Voice) or 711 (Maine Relay)

The Maine Crisis Hotline helps to stabilize individuals and families while assisting in crisis resolution and action planning. If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, call the 24-hour crisis hotline and speak with a trained crisis clinician who can connect you to the closest crisis center.

For more information visit: https://heretohelpmaine.com/.

2021 Tax Filing Season Begins Feb. 12;

IRS outlines steps to speed refunds during pandemic

The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's tax season will start on Friday, February 12, 2021, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns.

The February 12 start date for individual tax return filers allows the IRS time to do additional programming and testing of IRS systems following the December 27 tax law changes that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefits.

This programming work is critical to ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. If filing season were opened without the correct programming in place, then there could be a delay in issuing refunds to taxpayers. These changes ensure that eligible people will receive any remaining stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return.

To speed refunds during the pandemic, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with direct deposit as soon as they have the information they need. People can begin filing their tax returns immediately with tax software companies, including IRS Free File partners. These groups are starting to accept tax returns now, and the returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting February 12.

Last year's average tax refund was more than $2,500. More than 150 million tax returns are expected to be filed this year, with the vast majority before the Thursday, April 15 deadline.

Overall, the IRS anticipates nine out of 10 taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically with direct deposit if there are no issues with their tax return. The IRS urges taxpayers and tax professionals to file electronically. To avoid delays in processing, people should avoid filing paper returns wherever possible.

Tips for taxpayers to make filing easier

To speed refunds and help with their tax filing, the IRS urges people to follow these simple steps:

• File electronically and use direct deposit for the quickest refunds.  
• Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on Economic Impact Payments. There is no need to call.  
• For those who may be eligible for stimulus payments, they should carefully review the guidelines for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Most people received Economic Impact Payments automatically, and anyone who received the maximum amount does not need to include any information about their payments when they file. However, those who didn't receive a payment or only received a partial payment may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return. Tax preparation software, including IRS Free File, will help taxpayers figure the amount.  
• Remember, advance stimulus payments received separately are not taxable, and they do not reduce the taxpayer's refund when they file in 2021.

Key filing season dates

There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year's filing season:

• January 15. IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting Feb. 12. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.  
• January 29. Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.  
• February 12. IRS begins 2021 tax season. Individual tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins.  
• February 22. Projected date for the IRS.gov Where's My Refund tool being updated for those claiming EITC and ACTC, also referred to as PATH Act returns.  
• First week of March. Tax refunds begin reaching those claiming EITC and ACTC (PATH Act returns) for those who file electronically with direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax returns.  
• April 15. Deadline for filing 2020 tax returns.  
• October 15. Deadline to file for those requesting an extension on their 2020 tax returns

Filing season opening

The filing season open follows IRS work to update its programming and test its systems to factor in the second Economic Impact Payments and other tax law changes. These changes are complex and take time to help ensure proper processing of tax returns and refunds as well as coordination with tax software industry, resulting in the February 12 start date.

The IRS must ensure systems are prepared to properly process and check tax returns to verify the proper amount of EIP's are credited on taxpayer accounts – and provide remaining funds to eligible taxpayers.

Although tax seasons frequently begin in late January, there have been five instances since 2007 when filing seasons did not start for some taxpayers until February due to tax law changes made just before the start of tax time.