HAMMOND

LCCVB seeks nominations for outstanding service

The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau is seeking nominations for outstanding front-line employees for the annual R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards. The award ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.

Those nominated can include people who directly interact with guests at hotels, attractions, casinos, retail outlets, service industries and restaurants. But the awards are not limited to the hospitality industry.

Nomination forms can be completed online at www.rose-awards.com or submitted directly to the R.O.S.E. committee for selection. For more information, call (219) 989-7770. All nominations must be received by Sept. 1.

INDIANAPOLIS

New Indiana taxation handbook available

Businesses can stay up to date on the new tax changes from the last two legislative sessions with the Indiana Taxation Handbook: 2008-09. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce publication, written by attorneys from the law firm Ice Miller LLP, provides detailed information regarding the state's tax policies.

New changes include the following:

-- legislative updates from 2007 and 2008.

-- 2008 property tax reform, including pending amendments to the Indiana Constitution, property tax caps and changes in homestead deductions and credits.

-- personal and corporate income tax, including deductions, credits, reporting and withholdings.

-- sales and use tax including the increase to 7 percent.

-- motor vehicle excise taxes, including recreational vehicles.

-- motor fuel taxes, including exemption for biodiesel.

-- state tax litigation updates.

-- economic development tax incentives, including health benefit and wellness plan tax credits, alternative fuel tax credits and media production tax credits.

To order the book, visit www.indianachamber.com/publications or call (800) 824-6875.