Friday mix: tenant tax tips and more

- Further regarding tax time for tenants: HUD's Mulifamily Housing Rental Housing Integrity Improvement Project reminds subsidized property managers that tenants' refunds from the Earned Income Tax Credit are excluded from income counted by HUD. See HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1, Chapter 5, Exhibit 5-1. The project also suggests that multifamily housing owners who are about to submit their March 1 annual financial statements may want to make sure in advance that the right parties have the necessary computer access and passwords.

- Not sure if nonprofit-affiliated readers here do things like voter registration drives or if, as individuals, they endorse or volunteer in political campaigns. If so, however, might want to have a look at today's IRS investigation results and guidance on 2004 political activity by charities.

- Sec'y Jackson is to appear Saturday at a "State of the Black Union" symposium in Houston to be led by talk show host Tavis Smiley, with many other prominent figures expected, including Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan.

- This summary document, prepared as Congressional testimony, gives a pretty clear rundown on what GAO thinks of public housing and public housing authorities in general -- which in some cases, of course, is "not much". The summary is surprisingly cheerful about HOPE VI but recommends that Congress clarify the extent of HUD's oversight authority over the program.