Surprise! Today is NOT Tax Day

Somehow I missed this until yesterday, but taxes are NOT due April 15 this year. They are due Monday, April 18. So, if you've not already filed or eFiled or requested an extension, you have a few more days before panic has to REALLY set in.

And if you want to start NOW, don't forget many options to fill out your taxes online!

6.1 magnitude aftershock hits Haiti

It may be the very definition of "kicking you when you're down", but a 6.1 magnitude earthquake has hit Haiti a week after the 7.0 earthquake ravaged the poor nation. Early reports are of much emotional impact, but little additional damage - it appears whatever was vulnerable was already destroyed by the first disaster.

Salvation Army in Haiti

If you are looking for another way to help out in Haiti, the Salvation Army is active in the country and is accepting donations for relief online. They have been working hard in the country for years, and are very aware of the unique needs of Haitians in this difficult time.

Thanks to Mod-Blog friend Shadowmom for reminding me about this option.

Donations for Haiti

The Red Cross is taking donations for relief for the victims of the Haitian earthquake. You can donate on their website or text HAITI to 90999 (auto-donates $10, apparently, not sure how billing works).

Earthquake in Haiti

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake ripped through Haiti yesterday, causing widespread destruction and death in a country where poverty and persistent political unrest had resulted in poor building standards. Photos from the scene are showing whole regions flattened, and the local authorities are saying hospitals can not handle the influx of wounded and dying.

Destroyed communications made it impossible to tell the extent of destruction from Tuesday afternoon's 7.0-magnitude tremor — or to estimate the number of dead lying among thousands of collapsed buildings in Haiti's capital.
The ornate National Palace crumbled into itself, the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping mission collapsed and swaths of rickety shacks lay in shambles. Clouds of dust thrown up by falling buildings choked Port-au-Prince for hours...
Associated Press journalists found the damage staggering even for a country long accustomed to tragedy and disaster.

Please be praying for the disaster-torn country. It remains to be seen if the Recession creates any difficulty raising relief money, but it is likely to put extra pressure on efforts to help.