*AskTaxMama Newsletter

Ask TaxMama Issue 465 – The Art of Taxes

Posted on by TaxMama

anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

Dear Family,

The early birds really do get the worm today. Since practically before daylight, I’ve been watching the birds in my back yard swooping down and around, being unusually active. Generally, it’s the squirrels using the trellis Rick built as a jungle gym. Looks like we have new guests – some variety of blue birds with long tails. I’ll have to start looking them up to see who lives with us.

My husband wants to go camping this weekend. (One of the few when I am not teaching on Saturday morning.) He mentioned that he doesn’t need to worry about bug or mosquito repellents. All he has to do is sit about 1-2 feet away from me, and he’ll be fine. They are all attracted to me, the instant I set foot outdoors. In proof, I opened the patio door just now, to get a better look at the birds, and instantly, the local neighborhood mosquito floated right up to my face.

I don’t really see why Rick feels so compelled to go camping. We’ve got a perfectly good back yard, with all kinds of wild creatures (raccoons, squirrels, possums, cats, birds, black widow spiders, reptiles, lady bugs, the rare coyote – and lots of mosquitos and other things that bite). Considering the space you get in campgrounds, our back yard provides more space. It’s private. We could set out sleeping bags and/or cots easily. And we wouldn’t have to spend a week or two tinkering with the camper and buying supplies and packing and unpacking. And we’d have clean, convenient showers and bathrooms! Hey, women like that kind of thing. Eh!

OK, so one neighbor is apt to mow his lawn. Another to play really, really loud music where the bass is high that the house vibrates. Yet another neighbor’s kids likes to hang out in the front driveway with his friends talking about nothing for hours on end, sometimes, loudly. But, don’t you get pretty much the same kind of experience at popular campgrounds (except the mowing)?

The last time we camped out at a nearly deserted facility at a lake, we managed to park in THE specific space that was next to the main maintenance thoroughfare. (Who knew. It looked like an insignificant little lane.)

On our last trip, we explored 8-10 campgrounds along the California coast and inland, between Santa Barbara and Oxnard – and around 3 or 4 lakes. There were some nice places. But I just realized, none of those places had flowers scenting the air or lending bright colors to the landscape. The campground areas were either totally exposed to the wind and the sea, with no shade whatsoever; or they were in dark, cool areas, with no exposure to sunlight at all. And the spaces, when full, would give you neighbors within 5-10 feet. Can you just imagine the noise when the campgrounds are full?

This isn’t really how I’d envisioned camping. I imagined he’d know of some wonderful, secluded glen off the beaten path, filled with flowers and pretty images, perhaps overlooking a lake or the ocean. (A little like our back yard, actually, without the view of the lake or the ocean.)

Perhaps someone can explain the allure of public campgrounds to me.
Please?!

Pretty please?
Perhaps become the subject of an article? Post your comments here:
https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=903

Speaking of speaking up, that what this week’s Job Advice is about. Letting people in charge know you exist – and how to do it in a positive fashion.

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

Today’s Money Funnies deals with the art of thievery.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

This week’s TaxQuips has been quite interesting, covering the taxability of foreign gifts – and gifts in general; getting IRS liens released; a mayor’s campaign expenses, and preparing your own corporate tax returns. But I’ve got to tell you, the unpublished questions have been even more interesting – but too long to qualify as TaxQuips.

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

IRS News we learn about a plethora of online courses at the SBA – highlighting two new courses you may find helpful. One of the questions I got this week about getting an SBA loan for a woman-owned business. Does anyone happen to have any insight into SBA loans? Do you have any experience getting one and dealing with paying it back?
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews

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=903

And remember, when you buy any TaxNerd item, TaxMama will donate all the profits to the Central Asia Institute, where they are building schools for girls in Asia. The best way to achieve peace to earn the love and trust of people around the world by helping them improve their own lives.

https://www.ikat.org

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
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TAX CALENDAR 2008
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07.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

07.21.2008 Last Day to get Personal info to me to file in August

07.31.2008 2nd Quarter Payroll Taxes Due

07.31.2008 2nd Quarter Sales Taxes Due

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TaxMama

Your personal TaxMama is alive and well, answering your questions, and dreaming up ways to help you enjoy dealing with taxes – and paying less.