Taxpayers who make mistakes on their 1040 forms are subject to stiff penalties and interest charges, all nondeductible. Are taxpayers excused from those assessments if they're able to show their reliance on information in the IRS's own publications? Only in whatever kind of life is yet to come.
ScienceWriters magazine
On April 28, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), in Seattle, was bustling not only with its usual array of doctors and scientists, but also more than 170 visiting PIOs and science communicators attending an all-day conference hosted by the Northwest Science Writers Association (NSWA).
It started with outlets like Snopes. Now a French-language site vets science claims, and others may follow. Is this the best way to ensure accuracy?
The countdown has begun for the 10th World Conference of Science Journalists, in San Francisco (Oct. 26 to 30). Here's an update on what's coming.
ScienceWriters, Summer 2017
Fact-checking sites find their way into science, a report on the Pacific Northwest regional PIO conference, a science writer participates in an NIH study on a baffling medical condition, Mary Roach explains why she rents an office, updates on the 10th World Conference of Science Journalists, and the peril of relying on IRS publications. Full text visible to NASW members only.
In March, the Rockefeller University launched Seek, a new research magazine with freelance opportunities for science writers (additional info further down). Although the role of a university's research magazine is to promote its research program, Seek aims also to contribute to larger conversations — about the power of biomedicine, the ethical implications of discovery, and the role of science in society, for instance — in a meaningful way.
Amy McDermott now knows more about lichens than she ever expected to. Her Taylor/Blakeslee Project Fellowship was an introduction to deep-dive feature reporting, a chance to build relationships with U.S. Forest Service heavyweights, and a chance to chase great stories.
The five-day program for the 10th World Conference of Science Journalists features global issues, research topics and challenges, a chance to learn how science writing is done around the world, and a star-studded cast of headline speakers together with all the classic elements of a ScienceWriters meeting: professional development workshops, networking events, field trips, a pitch slam, and Lunch with a Scientist. The early registration discount ends on August 1.
Jenny Cutraro writes about her work organizing Science Storytellers, an effort with the American Association for the Advancement of Science to break down barriers and getting children and scientists talking to each other.
Despite continuous cuts in IRS budgets and shrinking staffs, the agency remains able to deal with taxpayers who fail to file returns. Internal Revenue Code Section 6020 allows the IRS to complete returns and make assessments for taxes, penalties for failing to file, and for late payment of taxes and interest charges.