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April Features on USA.gov

1. Check the Status of Your 2007 Tax Refund
2. Celebrate Earth Day – April 22
3. Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
4. Look Up 19th-Century Passenger Arrival Records
5. Consider Buying Federal Recreation Passes

1. Check the Status of Your 2007 Tax Refund

Are you waiting to receive a refund for your 2007 federal tax return? Check the status of your refund if it’s been more than a week since you e-filed your taxes, or more than six weeks since you filed a paper return.

If you haven’t yet filed a 2007 return, visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to find forms and instructions. Federal tax returns must be postmarked by April 15. You can also visit the IRS website to learn more about the tax rebate (also known as the economic stimulus payment), which is different from a tax refund.

En español

2. Celebrate Earth Day – April 22

Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the planet has experienced dramatic environmental changes. While individuals and governments have taken significant steps to protect the earth, more can be done.

Visit EarthDay.gov for information about events and to find out what you can do to help protect the earth. Here are just a few basic tips:

• Save Energy: Turn off lights and appliances when not in use; replace incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-approved compact fluorescent bulbs; and insulate your home.
• Use Less Water: Take shorter showers; turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth; and wash only full loads of dishes or laundry.
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Buy only what you need; reuse jars, boxes, and grocery bags; and recycle paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, and aluminum.

Other things you can do to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day (observed on the last Friday in April) include planting trees, caring for existing trees, and following landscaping practices that protect and preserve natural resources. Trees reduce air conditioning needs, absorb carbon dioxide, increase property values, and offer numerous other benefits!

En español

3. Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Possible signs of abuse or neglect include:

• Sudden changes in behavior or school performance.
• Physical or medical problems that have been brought to the parent’s attention, but have not been treated.
• Overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn behavior.
• Coming to school early, staying late, and not wanting to go home.

If you suspect that a child is being mistreated, take action. Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway to learn more about identifying, reporting, and preventing child abuse or neglect.

En español

4. Look Up 19th-Century Passenger Arrival Records

Did any of your relatives land in the U.S. in the latter half of the 19th century? You can now do an online search of more than 5.2 million records from passenger arrivals at the ports of Baltimore, Boston, New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia.

The records were transcribed from original ship manifests from 1834 through 1900. About 93 percent of the passengers in these sets of records identified their country of origin as Germany, Italy, or Russia. Records include data such as name, age, sex, occupation, town of last residence, literacy, and destination.

Visit the National Archives and Records Administration to learn more about this new resource; and check out USA.gov’s Family History and Genealogy page to research your family background.

5. Consider Buying Federal Recreation Passes

If your weekend or vacation plans include visits to Crater Lake, the Great Smoky Mountains, Sequoia National Forest, or some other part of America’s beautiful outdoors, you might consider purchasing a recreation pass.

Passes cost $80 and include admission to recreational areas managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. There are significantly discounted passes for seniors (62 years and older) and free passes for some volunteers and people with disabilities (children under 16 are admitted for free).

Visit USA.gov’s Recreation and Tourism page for help finding fun, safe, and interesting travel and recreational activities.