Ask Taxmama Issue 454 – Modernizing Taxes

approaching the end of tax season

Dear Family,

We’re out of Scotch® tape. You know, the good kind – the invisible tape. I can’t remember the last time we even ordered it. Are we using much less Scotch® tape these days?

Or are we buying it such bulk that it last years?

(Or has Lulu been doing such a great job keeping us stocked for the last many years – so I’ve never wanted for anything?) Though, I’ve got to tell you, the one thing that keeps running out is the toner on the printer. (Actually, several things – since it requires 4 color cartridges and another set of something similar, I forget what those are called.)

And have you ever noticed that your copy machine and printer keep running out paper? If you don’t refill it before each print run, it’s bound to run out in the middle of a tax return. Or is it just that the few tax returns we actually print out are so bulky they practically eat up a ream of paper.

Speaking of running out. I read a rather frightening editorial by Robert Silverberg in the June issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction magazine. It was called The Death of Gallium.

Though usually Silverberg’s Reflections column reflects on

fascinating literary matters, this time, he’s noting the dearth
of key elements that are being depleted.

You’ve probably never even heard of gallium. Yet it is a key element in the composition of liquid crystal displays – the one you’re probably looking at right now. Expect element 31 to be depleted by 2017. Expect hafnium (element 72), used in computer chips and nuclear reactor rods to be depleted by 2017. And even ordinary old zinc (element 30) – gone by 2037. The Periodic Table of Elements

What can we do about things like this? Here’s an idea.

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, chair of the House Committee on Small Business had a hearing yesterday to explore the idea of modernizing the tax code with respect to small business. Clearly, it was held at a really inconvenient time for those of who really work with small businesses – or ARE small businesses. The Committee issued a report – and TaxMama analyzed it.

Incidentally, tune in to MarketWatch.com for their April 24-25th Job Fair issue. In addition to all the goodies there, you’ll also find a really helpful TaxMama article on what do if you suddenly find yourself unemployed.

What else do we have for you today?

This week’s Money Funnies tests to see if you’re smarter than a pre-schooler. And there’s a bonus with some other fun games and quizzes.

https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

IRS News, IRS spokesman Eric Smith gives us the list of extended filing deadlines for those in the combat zones, and folks in areas hit by disasters right here in the USA. And speaking of disasters, you have some payment options if your tax return shows a balance due.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews

TaxQuips this week contains passionate discussions about whether love is more important than money; we dispel tax myths; explain how the child care deduction works; and meet a man who can afford a million dollar home——hmmm….right here in Northridge, no less. Wanna be my new best friend?
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips

This week’s Job Advice helps you realize just how big your network of contacts really is.

https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?cat=JobAdviceoftheWeek

As always, we love your feedback, opinions and ideas.
You are what makes all this fun – and interesting!

Please use the Comments link online.

https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=812

Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,

Eva Rosenberg, EA

Your TaxMama is watching…out for you.

www.TaxMama.com
www.TaxQuips.com
www.IRSExam.com

www.TaxNerd.net
————————————————————-

TAX CALENDAR 2008
————————————————————-

03.17.2008 S-Corp Election Decision Due (if Applicable)

03.17.2008 Corporate Returns or Extensions Due / Calendar Year Corps

03.15.2008 Get Personal Data to me if you want to file by April 15th

03.17.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

03.17.2008 Electing Large Partnerships – Issue K-1s to partners – even if you’re on extension

04.15.2008 Personal, Partnership Returns or Extensions are due

04.15.2008 1st 2008 Estimated Payment Due

04.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

04.30.2008 Quarterly Payroll Taxes Due

04.30.2008 Quarterly Sales Taxes Due

06.16.2008 2nd 2008 Estimated Payment – all entities Due

06.16.2008 Personal Tax Returns Due for US Taxpayers overseas

06.16.2008 or File extensions for US Taxpayers overseas Form 4868

————————————————————-

SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
————————————————————-

Keep your Resolutions:
Here’s a well-thought-out e-book to help you start the
year off properly. It contains a place for you to
list your promises to yourself – and lots of tools to

help you achieve your goals.

Download the book here (just use your e-mail address in this e-mail, so you can avoid subscribing to
my newsletters twice.)

Feel free to share this link with your friends, your clients and your mailing list.

https://www.simpleology.com/p/blogging/taxmama/ATM440

Explore Simpleology 101 – It includes set of step-by-step daily missions for you to follow to get more focused and become more successful this year.

You can check them off as you go.

Audio and Video Training
Is 2008 the year you learn to put use audio and video
on your websites or online? Here are some excellent
no-cost training opportunities. All you need is time.

Join David at AudioAcrobat.com

Join SuccessNet.org for free and you’ll be able to give Michael Angier’s ‘101 Best Year-End and New Year Questions’ to everyone you know. It’s an excellent way to open a dialog with those close to you – and to ensure that 2008 will be a great year.

————————————————————-

GIFT IDEAS
————————————————————-

ThinkGeek has some wonderful, unusual stuff, including something very like a Dick Tracy watch – a touchscreen cell phone PDA watch. They also have the USB Memory watch that holds 2GB of data.

Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized

gifts to your family and friends.
You don’t need to use my designs – use your own photos and artwork.
https://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*

Join SuccessNet.org (FREE!) and you’ll be able

to give Michael Angier’s ‘101 Best Year-End and New
Year Questions’ to everyone you know. It’s an excellent
way to open a dialog with those close to you – and to
ensure that 2008 will be a great year. And there’s no

charge for this gift at all.
————————————————————-

SPECIAL DEALS
————————————————————-

Need a Corp, LLC, Registered Agent

Incorp Services Inc. in Nevada – DISCOUNT

20% off on formation services.
Similar discounts on Registered Agent services.
Call 800.2.INCORP – use coupon code – TAXMAMA – or
https://go.asktaxmama.com/incorp

(no code needed)

Summer Family Identity – 3 Choices:

Zazzle – Cafe Press – Queensboro

Since it’s summer, and you’re probably going to be traveling with your family, consider getting matching T-shirts and/or hats.

(DO NOT PUT ANYONE’S NAME ON THEM – you’re just asking strangers to kidnap your children!)

But do put everyone’s picture – so even if you don’t know the local language, you can point to a family member and ask if anyone has seen him or her. Or use a graphic or piece of art you all like. You’ll find three options right here in our SPECIAL DEALS section.

Use your art or others – and customize it

Zazzle your Imagination. Are you a TaxNerd?
Tell everyone – proudly!
https://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*

Create your own customized Zazzle Apparel, bags or more.

Get volume discounts on orders of 2 or more.

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

Stuff for Back to School and Back to Work

Cafe Press is the home of TaxMama’s shops
https://www.cafepress.com/taxmama

But you can upload your own art and graphics and unify your family – even your pets.

https://www.cafepress.com/

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

WOW DEAL! Embroidery

Wouldn’t you love to get your logo or family crest, or picture or whatever, EMBROIDERED on hats and T-Shirts?

Well, it costs a heck of a lot less than you think.
And there’s always a sale!

At the Queensboro Shirt Company

(They have a lot more than shirts – and all sizes)

They do a gorgeous job.