FBI Releases 3 Tips to Protect Yourself as Violent Extremist Threats Increase
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While the war between Israel and Hamas is taking place thousands of miles away, the United States government is issuing a warning to all Americans: There has been an increase in violent extremist threats domestically.
“During the Israel-Hamas conflict, the FBI is continuing to monitor threats both in the United States and overseas. As the conflict continues, the FBI has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation wrote in a statement released on Wednesday.
“We take all potential threats seriously and are working closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate investigative action. As always, we encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” said the FBI.
The government agency added that they are communicating with law enforcement, “faith-based organizations,” and the private sector, including Jewish and Muslim leaders, to monitor the situation.
“Countering terrorism remains the FBI’s number one priority, and we will not tolerate violence motivated by hate and extremism. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect the American people and pursue justice for the victims and their families,” they concluded the statement.
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The FBI Director Is Concerned About a Domestic Threat
Over the weekend, FBI Director Christopher Wray told reporters on a call that he was concerned about a domestic threat. “Here in the U.S., we cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas or other foreign terrorist organizations could exploit the conflict to call on their supporters to conduct attacks on our own soil,” Wray said.
Fortunately, most threats were deemed not credible by the agency, a senior FBI official said during the call. But, it was confirmed that Jewish and Muslim institutions were being targeted.
3 Safety Tips to Follow to Protect Yourself
The FBI has released three tips on its website about how the average American citizen can protect themself from potentially violent extremist actions. “It is important for people to protect themselves both online and in-person, and to report any suspicious activity they encounter,” the FBI states first and foremost.
To keep yourself safe, the FBI suggests you follow these three tips:
“1. Remain aware of your surroundings. 2. Refrain from oversharing personal information. 3. Say something if you see something. “The insular nature of today’s violent extremists makes them difficult for law enforcement to identify and disrupt before an attack. Many times, a person’s family or friends may be the first to notice a concerning change in behavior that may indicate a person is mobilizing to violence.”
If you do see or hear of anything something suspicious, you can submit a tip online via the FBI’s website.
IRS Announces Major Tax Filing Changes for Next Year—Are You Affected?
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The fact that we have to pay our taxes every year is one thing that famously never changes. And while there are plenty of different tools to help you file , it’s more often significant changes in your own life that can alter the process. But now, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a set of major changes for next year. Read on to see if you’re affected by the latest updates and what it could mean when it comes time to file.
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Typically, any change in the tax rate is a development that tends to grab plenty of headlines no matter which way it’s heading. But while those numbers will remain the same the next time you file , the IRS has released an updated set of tax brackets for the 2023 tax year.
The adjustments affect where the boundaries are set for each income level, with progressively increasing rates as amounts increase. This year’s changes take into account inflation, with upper limits that are 7 percent higher than brackets in 2022, Forbes reports. And while deductions and other elements must still be factored in, these brackets can help estimate roughly how much you’ll pay when it comes time to file.
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So, how much will each group now pay? The lowest tax bracket begins at 10 percent for individuals with $11,000 or less in taxable income—or $22,000 for married couples filing jointly. It then ranges from 12 percent for individuals making between $11,001 and $44,725, 22 percent for those with $44,726 to $95,375 in taxable income, and 24 percent for individuals earning between $95,376 to $182,100.
The new rate for individual income between $182,101 and $231,250 is 32 percent, while people earning between $231,251 and $578,125 fall into a 35 percent rate. It tops out with those who take in $578,126 or more in 2023 paying 37 percent. The complete list of updated brackets and rates—including those for married couples filing jointly or separately—can be found on the agency’s website.
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But it’s not just your income bracket that could be changing for this year. In a press release on Oct. 17, the IRS also announced that it would begin rolling out its free tax filing program known as Direct File during the 2024 filing season for certain taxpayers.
The service aims to provide an affordable alternative to tax preparation services many people use to file annually. It’s estimated that Americans spend an estimated $11 billion each year nationwide for professional assistance, CBS News reports.
However, not everyone filing will be able to use the service right away. The agency specifies that eligibility will be limited to “taxpayers with relatively simple returns,” targeting those with specific income, credits, and deductions, according to the press release.
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Besides individual limitations, where you live could also keep you from using Direct File next year. The IRS said the free program will be available to eligible residents in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and New York, where state governments have worked to incorporate their own taxes into the new system. Those who live in one of the nine states that do not collect state income tax—Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming—could also qualify.
Despite its limited initial reach, officials hope the early rollout will reach at least several hundred thousand taxpayers , CNN reports. The initial phase will also help work out any issues and see if the program could be expanded to a broader pool of potential filers.
“The plan is to roll it out in increments that get larger and larger, consistent with how products like this are rolled out in the private sector,” IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel told reporters during a call, per CBS News. “We want to make sure it is an easy-to-understand pilot.”
