RIPON, WIS. (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Murray Stoffa, a Senior English major, has been named to the Dean's List at Ripon College for the spring 2013 semester, which recognizes academic excellence.

Stoffa is the child of COL Donald A. Stoffa of Davenport, IA .

To qualify for the Dean's List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded work.

About Ripon College

Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon's liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has consistently been recognized as a "best value" and "Best 376 College" by The Princeton Review, a "Best Buy in College Education" by Barron's, a "Best Liberal-Arts College" by Washington Monthly, a "Top 25 Schools for Do-Gooders" by Newsweek, among the top-tier and best-value colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and among the top 200 private colleges in the nation overall and for value by Forbes Magazine. For more information about Ripon College, visit www.ripon.edu.

May 21, 2013 - WASHINGTON - In response to questions from Sen. Chuck Grassley, a top IRS official today acknowledged that the way the agency reportedly treated a small Iowa pro-life group would be inappropriate and took responsibility for planting a question that led to an IRS apology for targeting certain groups applying for tax exemption.

"The IRS has a lot of power over people," Grassley said.  "When the agency abuses its power, it has to be held in check.  Otherwise, taxpayers who already fear the IRS will fear it that much more.  Distrust among taxpayers and IRS and vice versa undermine the integrity of our tax system."

Grassley questioned recently resigned IRS acting commissioner Steven Miller at a Finance Committee hearing today on the IRS' treatment of groups seeking tax exemption.  A recent report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration found the IRS inappropriately screened groups using search terms geared toward a conservative political orientation.

Grassley asked Miller whether it was appropriate for the IRS in effect to offer a small Iowa pro-life group a quid pro quo:  the group could become a charity if it did not protest in front of Planned Parenthood.   Miller said it would not be appropriate for the IRS to offer such a quid pro quo.   The group, called Coalition for Life of Iowa, applied to the IRS for charitable status in mid-2009.  In addition to the quid pro quo suggestion, the group also received a letter from the IRS asking several invasive questions including the details of the group's prayer meetings.

Grassley also asked Miller who at the IRS was involved in planting a question at a legal conference regarding the IRS' treatment of conservative groups.  Miller responded that he would take responsibility for the arrangement.

On May 10, Lois Lerner, the head of the IRS tax-exempt organizations group, addressed an American Bar Association conference.  She received a question from the audience on the IRS' targeting of conservative groups and gave a detailed defense of the IRS' actions.  Initially, those involved claimed the question was spontaneous.  On May 14, Grassley sent a letter to the IRS raising questions about what led to the incident. Days later, the individual who asked the question admitted that the question was in fact planted at the IRS' request.  Grassley intends to pursue more details on what led to the planted apology.

Video of Grassley's exchange with Miller is available here.

Register for a chance to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa Account

DES MOINES, IA (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate 529 Day by registering to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account for a child in their life. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones' future higher education expenses," Fitzgerald said. "By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them." For more information and to register for the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com before May 29.

May 29, 529 Day, helps bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for the children in their lives. Those who begin putting away money early and save little by little can, over time, make their college savings add up to a significant amount. Because saving for future educational expenses is so important, Iowa families are encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their life.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $3,045 per beneficiary from their 2013 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* Investors can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit www.myiowa529plan.com or call1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

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