Dear Family,
An odd thing happened earlier this morning when I was goofing around on Pogo.com, playing one of the solitaire games. I learned something. They have a chat function, alongside the game, which I usually ignore. This morning, it was very busy. Turns out, this woman’s husband had broken a lightbulb, while it was still in the socket. Do you know how to remove the left-over lightbulb?
This other woman instantly had a solution. She said to take a potato and jam it into the socket, and turn it. It will unscrew the base of the lightbulb. Don’t peel the potato, so it doesn’t get slippery. If you need to get in deeper, just cut the end of the potato so it fits deeper. Now, isn’t that a great idea? Of course, make sure the power is turned off before you do this. That’s your life tip of the day!
As we said last week, we’re still waiting for that Stimulus Package. They’re almost ready – expect a final bill on Monday or Tuesday. Follow me on Twitter and I’ll let you know as soon as I learn about it. https://twitter.com/TaxMama
Changes in the bill move quickly. For instance, Andrea Coombes attended a press briefing with CCH this week about the Stimulus Package. Before she finished writing up the summary of tax provisions, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, had already announced changes to the information in the CCH briefing.
https://snurl.com/stimulusupdate
Last week’s KTTV interview is here – about overlooked sources of income, inspired by all the Cabinet and White House nominees who need a little help. (Perhaps I’ll be back next week to talk about the Stimulus Package?)
https://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/Ask_the_Expert_Overlooked_Tax
TaxMama®’s MarketWatch.com article this week is the Online Filing issue. This year, we dropped a company off the list because they are still aggressively marketing the RALs (refund anticipation loans). The 5 companies still on the list don’t even offer RALs anymore. IRS and the Taxpayers Advocate and TaxMama® really feel that’s a rip-off. (No doubt, there will be tax pros who will unsubscribe at this point.) But the primary benefit of a RAL is to fatten a service’s bank account. It’s only in rare instances that you really need your refund right NOW – and can’t wait for 8-10 days.
https://snurl.com/onlinefiling09
Incidentally, www.1040.com/taxmama offers the 2nd lowest price for online filing IRS and unlimited states – $19.95.
TaxSlayer – www.taxslayer.com offers the lowest price for the same service – $14.95.
This week’s AccountingWeb.com blog grouses about someone with a really unrealist attitude about requesting an Offer in Compromise from IRS. Unfortunately, her attitude is more common than you might think. And it explains why IRS rejects so many offers. (Or perhaps, with lack of sleep, I was just in a foul mood?)
https://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/eva_rosenberg_blog.html
In IRS News today, you learn about how to offset those high education costs. And you learn a bit about the inner workings of IRS’s Automated Collection System (ACS), the folks who contact you when you have a balance due. You’ll learn what’s wrong with it – and some fixes IRS is planning to implement.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews
Incidentally, IRS is looking for new members for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). The committed provides guidance on the future of electronic filing.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=203218,00.html
Today’s Money Funny is a repeat – and update – of an insprational concept we ran many years ago. You’re going to learn how to value your assets properly.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies
In TaxQuips this week, we learn about amended returns, medical expenses, teen tax issues, taking Social Security early, limits on earnings when you do tax SS benefits early, and not to deduct loan principal payments.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips
Today’s Job Advice of the Week teaches you how to get a job by not looking for one. Interesting concept.
https://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=1122
TaxNerd gear makes a bold statement during tax season.
Shop at www.taxnerd.net or https://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*
Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,
Eva Rosenberg, EA
Your TaxMama is watching…out for you.
www.TaxQuips.com
www.IRSExam.com
www.taxnerd.net
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TAX CALENDAR 2009
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02.13.2009 File new W-4 with Employer if you claimed exempt last year
02.17.2009 Furnish 1099/1098s to recipients
02.17.2009 Get Corp Data to me if you want to file without extension
03.02.2009 Mortgage Interest file Form 1098s with IRS
03.02.2009 File W-2’s with Social Security Admin
03.02.2009 File 1099’s with IRS
03.02.2009 File City of L.A. Business License/Tax Form
03.02.2009 Farmers & Fisherman – file and pay taxes due for 2007 and pay all tax due if estimated payments not made on 01.15.2009.
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SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
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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 2009 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 learn the 10 Essential Success Keys You Need to Know for You
And Your Business to Grow
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GIFT IDEAS
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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*
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Similar discounts on Registered Agent services.
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Customised Personal or Businesswear – 3 Choices:
Zazzle – Cafe Press – Queensboro
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Use your art or others – and customize it
Zazzle your Imagination. Are you a TaxNerd?
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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 business, travel and fun
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.
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.
- Ask TaxMama :: Where taxes are fun and answers are free
-
www.TaxQuips.com :: The number ONE free tax podcast online
- Money Funnies & Inspiration :: Learn to Value Your Assets
- IRS News :: Education benefits – and what's wrong with IRS' automated collections system
- Job Advice of the Week :: Stop looking and ye shall find it
- The 100% Home-Based Business Tax Solution :: The evolving e-book and Tax MiniMiser
-
Prepare your own tax return :: $19.95 includes IRS, State, e-filing and tech support
