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Valentine’s Party at MTMS Polaris to proceed as scheduled!

Delaware and Franklin Counties are still reporting Level 1 Snow Emergencies, so please give yourself extra time to get to the event and drive carefully. The Valentine’s Party will be cancelled if the Snow Emergency Level is elevated in Delaware County to a Level 2.

Musicians: Wear gloves and scarves! It’s difficult to play with cold hands and sing with a dry, cold throat.

Pay for Music Lessons with Tax-Free Dollars

Did you know that you can use tax-free dollars to pay for music lessons?

The Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) program allows you to set aside pre-tax salary dollars into an account. You can use the funds to pay for out-of-pocket health care and dependent care costs. According to the website Benefits.gov, citizens participating in the program save an average of 30 percent on these expenses.

The FSAFEDS website (FSAFEDS.com) can provide answers to your questions about how to enroll in the program and establish accounts. But here’s a fact you may not already know: you can use the funds in your Dependent Care (Day Care) Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) to pay for music lessons for children under the age of 13 or any dependent who isĀ incapable of self-care due to a physical or mental handicap. The DCFSA can also be used to pay for other activities in lieu of day cares (e.g., swimming lessons, arts & crafts), summer day camps (but not overnight camps), and babysitters both in and out of the home.

Don’t forget the “Use or Lose” rule. All Federal Flexible Spending Accounts may only be used during the Benefit Period, and any funds not used to pay for eligible expenses will be forfeit after the Benefit Period, so plan your saving carefully.

Also be aware that the Dependent Care Tax Credit may be more beneficial to you than a DCFSA. Check out https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/summaryofbenefits.asp#WhichIsBetter to determine which option is better for your tax situation. Either way, make sure that you are taking advantage of tax benefits related to dependent care if you qualify.

To submit music lessons at Michelle Tuesday Music School for DCFSA reimbursement, use our Federal Tax ID# 27-2942983.

Enroll Online

Musically,
Michelle Tuesday

12 Days of Christmas: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

This one is my gift to all of you. :-) The song was originally by sung Judy Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louie”. Whenever I sing a Christmas set list, I close with this song, featuring simple solo vocals and acoustic guitar.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be far away

Here we are, as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bow
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Enjoy.