Dear Family,

Another week flown by.

You're seeing far too much depressing news on TV.

Between Katrina and the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist...and the confirmation hearings for his replacement, John G. Roberts, there's barely anything else being covered.

Did you know that this very disaster was foretold? No, silly, not by Nostradamus. By National Geographic. Read Katrina Foretold, in today's issue.

Here's another long ignored resource - the way to opt out of all those annoying credit card offers: Call (888) 5-OPTOUT, or by visit www.OptOutPrescreen.com

Apparently, we've had the right to do this for 10 years, but doing it by mail was too time-consuming or obscure for the average person. The Opt Out website is a joint effort of Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion you favorite consumer credit companies.

Oh, yes, I want to thank all of you sent me notes about the New York Times article about Online Banking, where I was quoted by Eric Dash. Keep an eye out for his next article. I think you'll find TaxMama in there, too - unless his editor cuts it for citing the same source too often.

Great news, if you're a fan of the annual tax holidays some state provide, here's a new one. There's talk of a gas tax holiday. And several states are considering the idea. Since taxes make a significant chunk of the per gallon price...it would be a boon to drivers.

A deadline is looming. Lulu and I are putting in long hours finish up all the corporate returns. We're playing detective, tracking down elusive clients and equally elusive data. Such fun!

If you haven't heard from us about your personal returns, don't despair. We'll call you when we're done with the corporations. But, since I have to be out of town most of next week, we have to finish up today. So if you haven't responded to us, or gotten us your corporate Profit and Loss Statements and Balance Sheets, please do it NOW. Otherwise, we won't be here to prepare it.

We have ONE last class in this summer's EA Exam series - a 5-hour marathon on Saturday morning. The students participating in the classes have been wonderful. They are getting over 90% of the answers right in class. If they keep that up - they can't help but pass the IRS Special Enrollment Exam later this month.

It's interesting how much more motivated people are to study when you really want something, instead of just having to do it for a grade. Sometimes, waiting until you're older, or ready to learn something, well, it just makes it easier to do the studying. Of course, when you're older, getting the time to study is harder, between jobs and family. Clearly, though, practically everyone is putting in hours each week.

So, back to work for me!

As for you, this is a good time to click on the links to TaxMama's Podcast - TaxMama's Tax Quips. You'll have fun with today's Tax Quips - about how to select a career that won't be outsourced to India or China.

Best wishes,
Eva Rosenberg, EA
Your TaxMama is watching...out for you.

President Bush and Social Security
If you want to express your own opinion on Social Security to President Bush and your legislator's, please feel free to use the link at the bottom of this letter.