Daniel Eckert, vice president of Walmart Financial Services, told news that the company is dedicated to helping the underserved the next two weeks with its special program. “We believe Americans shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs”. Eckert added “It’s their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price.”

Eckert said that from January 16 to 22, Walmart, through a partnership with Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block, will double its in-store tax kiosks and lower the cost for tax preparation. Jackson Hewitt will be providing Walmart shoppers free federal Form 1040EZ filings in specially designated Walmart kiosks throughout the tax season. H&R Block will in turn provide free federal Form 1040EZ until February 29 in Walmart stores. In total, H&R Block will provide 250 kiosks in Walmart stores, while Jackson Hewitt will offer two thousand eight hundred kiosks in Walmarts nationally.

“Customers need to make every dollar count in this tough economy, and that’s why we’re committed to helping customers pay less for their financial services during tax season and throughout the year,” Eckert told news. “With more than 3,000 tax preparation kiosks in Walmart stores across the U.S. and low flat-fee check cashing services, our customers can conveniently make their refund dollars stretch farther by simply taking care of their tax needs at Walmart.”

Each year, the United States Postal Service publishes their Postal Holiday. The 2012 Postal Holidays follow federal guidelines. In some cases, adjustments are made as to when the holiday is observed. OPM, the Office of Personnel Management, reminds news that the next federal closures will be Monday February 20, Monday May 28, and Wednesday July 4 to recognize Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, and Independence Day respectively.

In related news, the USPS in December said that it will delay the closure of Post Office Branches until May of this year. “The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012.” USPS added “The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.”

The agency told news that “The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation.”

But it warned that other cost cutting measures will have to be adopted to handle growing expenditures in a tight economic environment. “Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.”

Such is never the case for the MLK holiday. Since it’s always observed on a Monday, post offices are always closed that day . The confusion, however, erupts when federal holidays fall on the weekend. OPM reminds news that, if the holiday falls on a Saturday, it will be observed a day earlier on Friday with a federal closure. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, it will be observed a day later on Monday with a federal closure.

The next holiday after MLK is Washington’s birthday. But OPM reports to news this month that the term “Washington’s Birthday” is referred to differently, based upon jurisdictions. “This holiday is designated as “Washington’s Birthday” in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.”

Not only will post offices and banks be closed on Monday, January 16, 2012, but also local and state offices, agencies, and divisions will also be closed. Malls and public transport will be operating as usual.

OPM indicates to news that, because New Year’s Day, a federal holiday, fell on Sunday, OPM has delineated Monday January 2, 2012 as our federal holiday. As result, all federal agencies, courts, and offices will be closed today. The same is true for most state and city agencies, offices, and court houses. Public transport and malls will be open.

OPM reports to news that the same issue will happen in November. On Monday November 12, Veterans Day will be recognized on a Monday because it falls on a Sunday. “November 11, 2012 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, November 12, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes” reports OPM.

In related news, India announced yesterday that it will open its stock market to individual foreign investors. The change is the result of reforms that will be implemented on January 15. In a news statement yesterday, the government said that it is making the change “in order to widen the class of investors, attract more foreign funds, and reduce market volatility and to deepen the Indian capital market.”

OPM reminds news that “when a holiday falls on a non-workday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday.” The reason, OPM explains, is that “that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule.”

As a result, since New Years’ Day is a Sunday, OPM will close “most” federal offices on Monday January 2. Also this year, USPS customers should mark closures on their calendars for the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 16 and Washington’s Birthday on Monday February 20.

What happens with other federal agencies on January 2? OPM tells news that most, not all, will be closed.  “For most Federal employees, Monday, January 2, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.”