By now, most families have filed their income tax forms and have either spent the refund, have visions of this year's mini vacation, or perhaps an updated spa-like bathroom, the next big thing in kitchens or just getting rid of some debt.  I think that most of us are trying to just get rid of last year's debt and that can be as much of a relief as a vacation. 

There are some families who's refunds have been put on hold because of eligibility requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit.  If you have received a letter or notice from the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation asking for further evidence of eligibility for the NJ EITC, and one criteria is to prove paternity, maternity, grand paternity, grand maternity, siblingship or any other biological relationship - DNA Testing performed by an accredited and federally approved laboratory can help expedite the processing of your documents.

DNA Testing today is a non-invasive buccal(cheek) swab.  No one wants to stick babies for a living.  If done correctly, by an independent, disinterested third party then government offices will accept a sealed, notarized copy as proof of your biological relationship.  What's that you say - Chain of Custody ???? amateurish investigators often ask this question - it is known as the CSI effect - everyone knows a little bit about DNA but not everyone knows exactly what is acceptable and what is not. 

DNA Testing done to confirm Paternity, Maternity, Grand paternity/maternity - for the purpose of social security, income tax, immigration, birth certificates - anything other than FORENSICs - the Chain of Custody process followed by the disinterested third party is to have participants sign and seal the envelope containing DNA swabs, sign and date the documentation with identifying information (date of birth, ss#, other government issued identification) and sign and date a photograph of participant.   Minors must have their parent or legal guardian in attendance.  The items are then packaged and sealed by the third party disinterested DNA collector and courriered to a lab.  In the case of The DNA Lady, only accredited DNA laboratories, that is those carrying CLIA, NYSDOH, AABB, FQS-International ISO 17025 accreditations are used in our tests.  The DNA Lady does not use off the rack, internet based companies.  When the chosen laboratory receives the overnight courriered package, they examine each item to insure no tampering has taken place between the time the items were signed/sealed by collector and DNA participant and the time the lab receives the package. Although the price of DNA testing equipment is coming down and DNA amplification using microscopic preheated and cooled layers of silicon are available (mostly to law enforcement), there is rarely an opportunity to walk directly into the DNA lab and get collected directly by the laboratory technician.

If you are a tax preparer, you may use the services of a local DNA collections company on a wholesale basis so that your clients receive the benefit of discounted tests.  DNA collections can take place in your office, so that your client is comfortable and in many cases - proper paperwork is readily available.  Have you ever met a man or woman so jealous of your success that they waste time all day on stupid phone calls?  Original results are sent in sealed envelopes to the government entity requesting the additional verification of eligibility for NJ EITC.  Participants receive copies via regular mail - and in the case of The DNA Lady - phone calls, emails and any other method necessary so that participants receive results as fast as possible.   

Of course, if you are concerned with any aspect of the DNA collection, having access to the local DNA collection facility, ie, The DNA Lady, is easier than dealing with an anonymous 800 numbers.  Buyer Beware - be concerned when you call a local number to set up your DNA test and the person on the phone redirects you to some other address - do not give your credit card numbers to these facilities. 

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