Hello Neighbors!

Another busy month of activity in the neighborhood and many things in the works!  Since the warm weather is hitting us early this year we have already started some spring growth throughout the community.  Please remember to keep your weeds under control as they will start popping up, especially if we get some rain this weekend.  So, here is what has been going on…

• We have utilized our specialized rock spreading crew yet again to do a great job around the west bay of the lake and add some river rock to the Elliot entrance to prevent water accumulation flooding.  These projects will probably be on hold for the summer now and finish up the last of the community rock around the lake in the fall.
• We have recently cleaned up the area behind the community wall facing the SRP canal of debris and will soon be mowing the grass/weeds down to the dirt.  REMINDER:  If you own a home facing this wall please do not throw your yard waste over the wall or you will be held responsible for removing it.  It is community property behind the wall so it is no different than just someone dumping their debris by the lake or in the street.
• We received reports of a vehicle being broken into.  The window was smashed and the garage door opener was stolen and then the button had been pressed.  Just a reminder to keep your eyes and ears open and report any suspicious activities to the police.  More reports will continue to rise police presence in the neighborhood and detour the criminals.
• Don’t forget to harvest your fruit trees!  You may be the one that picks them off one by one or you may be the one that harvests the whole tree.  Either way, please make sure something is done so they don’t end up on the ground to rot.  Spoiled fruit is an attraction for rodents such as roof rats so please keep your yards clean of fallen fruit.  If you have more than you need the local food banks will typically have boxes available to drop off your unneeded fruit for meals.
• The Common Area block walls are being continually evaluated in the community and the Board is working on steps to ensure we handle this community issue in the most appropriate way.  Please make sure you do not have any water spraying on the block or have any grass backed up to the wall directly as it absorbs in the wall and breaks away the footing when it can’t be dried out.
• Basketball Hoops are listed in our CCR’s that they must be put away after use and not allowed overnight in the street or driveway.  We have had some reports of them being left out so please respect the rules and regulations and put them away.

Community Garage Sale Date:  Saturday, March 22nd (7AM-1PM)

Community Picnic:  Sunday, April 6th (4PM-6:30PM)

• This year the board is going to liven up the community picnic and try to attract a larger crowd of families for a fun afternoon.  We are looking to have a bounce house for the kids (and some adults), as well as catered BBQ and a few other fun attractions.  It is important that we get an idea of who is able to attend so please RSVP to Kinney Management 480.820.3451 x201 or to info@oasisatanozira.org and let us know how many will be attending.  Come and show your support for your community.

I hope everyone is off to a great start to the new year.  We have a lot on the agenda to continue to keep the community looking clean and planning properly.

Helpful Hints Corner:  New Tax Laws in Effect

• High-income individuals will likely pay more in taxes under the new law and should consider options for minimizing their burden. The highest individual income tax rate rose to 39.6% in 2013 and taxpayers at this income level also saw the dividend and long-term capital gains tax rates rise from 15% to 20%.
• In addition, the new 3.8% net investment income tax applies to single taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $200,000 and joint filers earning $250,000. This new tax may affect the effective after-tax return on the sale of your investments, but proper planning may serve to minimize the impact.
• Also in 2013, an additional 0.9% Medicare tax went into effect. The tax will be paid on earned income including wages, compensation and self-employment income above $250,000 for married people filing jointly and $200,000 for single taxpayers. 

• Although the alternative minimum tax (AMT) originally was aimed at high-income taxpayers, it increasingly has affected more and more middle-income taxpayers over the years. The law indexed the AMT for inflation but the use of certain tax breaks could still subject you to the tax. 

• Phase-outs of personal exemptions and the limitation on itemized deductions have been reinstated. As a result, joint filers with adjusted gross income greater than $300,000 and single taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 may see a decrease in both of these deductions.
• After several years of uncertainty in the estate tax area, the ATRA finally created some permanency. The amount that an heir can inherit without owing estate tax is now set at
  $5 million and will be indexed for inflation in future years. In addition, the estate tax was raised to 40%.
• Under the ATRA, taxpayers age 70½ and older can once again make up to $100,000
  of tax-free distributions from an IRA directly to qualified charities.