Financial report

October was a productive month for the Shoals housing market, with positive trends delivered in average and median selling prices, based on data collected by the Alabama Center for Real Estate.

The same number of houses, 99, were sold in October as there were in September, but sellers got significantly more money for the transactions.

The average selling price of those 99 homes was listed at $142,624, the highest total since March 2008 when the average selling price was $146,542. The October average selling price was 11.8 percent higher than in the previous month and up 12.5 percent from October 2009.

Statewide, the average selling price of $144,193 was 3 percent lower than September’s price.

Another bright spot was the median sale price of homes sold during October. In the Shoals, the median sell price was $130,000, which means half of the houses sold in the month brought more than $130,000 and half sold for less. The total is 25 percent higher than the September median sale price of $104,000. Alabama’s median sale price was $127,401 in October.

The average number of days on market for Shoals houses sold in October was 75, compared to 144.6 statewide.

Tax preparers must have identification

Internal Revenue Service officials are reminding tax return preparers that they must register for their new or renewed Preparer Tax Identification Numbers before Jan. 1.

Starting Jan. 1, use of tax identification numbers will be mandatory on all federal tax returns and claims for refunds prepared by a paid tax preparer.

Individuals who, for compensation, prepare all or substantially all of any federal tax return must use the numbers. Paid preparers must apply for a new or renewed number through the sign-up system at irs.gov/taxpros.

“We urge you to register now if you plan on preparing tax returns in 2011. The holidays are approaching and it may be tempting to let this slip,” said David R. Williams, leader of the new Return Preparer Office.

“Our advice is to register now. It takes 15 minutes, and you’re done. Over 380,000 preparers have registered so far.”

Any preparer who obtained an ID number prior to the new sign-up system launch Sept. 28 must apply again.

Gasoline prices continue upward

Average retail gasoline prices in Alabama have risen 1.2 cents per gallon in the past week, according to the gasoline price website AlabamaGasPrices.com.

The average price per gallon was $2.84 early last week. The total compares with the national average that has increased 1.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.96.

Including the change in gas prices in Alabama during the past week, prices early last week were 35.7 cents per gallon higher than on the same day one year ago and are 10.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.

The national average has increased 7.4 cents per gallon during the past month and stands 35.4 cents per gallon from the same day a year ago.

Chamber selects new board members

Eight area businessmen have been elected to the board of directors at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce.

All eight will serve three-year terms, chamber officials said.

They are: Marty Abroms, Abroms and Associates; Barry Auchly, American Wholesale Book Co.; Chip Flournoy, Listerhill Total Maintenance Center; Anthony Fowler, Marriott Shoals Hotel; John Glenn, Killen True Value; Alex Godwin, Wise Alloys; Trav Hovater Jr., HN Construction; and John Rusevlyan, Weichert Realtors.