Business briefs

IRS says 2007 refunds await taxpayers

The Internal Revenue Service said refunds totaling more than $3.4million may be waiting for over 3,500 West Virginia taxpayers whodid not file a federal income tax return for 2007.

To collect the money, a return for 2007 must be filed with theIRS no later than April 18, the IRS said. The agency estimates thathalf of the potential 2007 refunds in West Virginia are $686 ormore.

Some people may not have filed because they had too little incometo require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheldfrom their wages or made quarterly estimated payments, the IRS said.

"In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides mosttaxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming arefund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years,the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury," IRS spokesman JimDupree said.

For 2007 returns, the window closes on April 18.

United Bankshares declares dividend

United Bankshares Inc. announced its Board of Directors hasdeclared a first quarter 2011 dividend of 30 cents a share.

The dividend is payable April 1 to shareholders of record as ofMarch 11.

United has 43.6 million shares outstanding, so the payout willtotal almost $13.1 million.

United is headquartered in Charleston and Washington, D.C. Thecompany has $7.2 billion in assets and has 111 full-service officesin West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

Trend forecaster to speak March 22 at UC

Gerald Celente, a world-renowned forecaster of trends, will speakat the University of Charleston on March 22, the universityannounced.

Celente will speak at 6:30 p.m. in the Geary Auditorium. Theevent is free and open to the public.

The founder of the Trends Research Institute, Celente publishes"The Trends Journal," which covers more than 300 trend fieldsranging from the economy to fashion and entertainment.

Celente graduated from the University of Charleston, then knownas Morris Harvey College, in 1969.

S.C. to celebrate McDonald's renovation

South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens will lead local dignitariesin a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday to mark therenovation of the McDonald's restaurant on Jefferson Road.

The McDonald's is beside the Bob Evans restaurant.

Sale of St. Joseph's Hospital completed

Signature Hospital Corp. said it has completed the sale of St.Joseph's Hospital in Parkersburg to West Virginia United HealthSystem.

The sale of the 325-bed hospital was announced in September.

COMPILED BY GEORGE HOHMANN