Dear Family,
First of all, I’d like to invite you to join me at Knotts Berry Farm over the weekend of September 26-28. The California Chapter of NATP’s Annual Conference and Meeting is covering some very, very special material – how to practice before the Tax Court…and I’m teaching a couple of classes, too!
https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=954
You all heard Barack Obama’s acceptance speech last night at the Democratic Convention, yes? The theme was that this is a time for change.
https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080829.htm
I don’t usually have the patience to listen to speechifying – especially when it goes on for more than 5 or 10 minutes. But, last night’s speech was one of the more important speeches of the current era. So I tuned in for the whole thing.
After all, there has never been a time in America’s history when a person of color has gotten so close to the Presidency. At this point, the odds are that Obama will be elected. He is a skillful politician. He is articulate and and his delivery is smooth. Obama is smart enough to have his writers tap all the best inauguration speeches in history. In fact, I even recognized material from the film, “The American President”.
I tried to find a copy of the speech on the Obama site. Instead, what I found were very aggressive appeals for donations. You cannot get to any page without being pushed to donate. Annoying for someone who just wants information. Compelling for those who will break down and support his campaign.
You needed to see the 80 thousand people in Denver’s Mile High Stadium, all enthusistically cheering Obama onward. What a stroke of genius to open this key speech up to the people, instead of just the delegates. Brilliant.
Naturally (yawn), the speech did manage to make reference to all key minorities and special interests. Everyone who wants a champion now has one. (send the dollars….)
One thing Obama said that really did strike a note with me – he said something to the effect that the President must be the president of all the people – not just his own party. It’s one of my (many) pet peeves about the way American politics has developed over the centuries. Elected officials seem to have forgotten that they are only members of the party during the elections. Once they are elected, they are meant to represent and help ALL their constituents. Not just the ones in their own party.
What’s interesting is that at one point, he described himself as a boy from Kenya. That was odd. Since he was born in Hawaii, and lived in Indonesia with his step-father. There’s no evidence that he ever lived in Kenya – though his father and his paternal relatives all live there.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1682433/bio
Selecting a running mate like Joseph R. Biden is a wise choice. Here is a man who has decades in the Legislature, is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and knows how to get legislation passed – and where the bodies are buried. If Obama makes full use of his VP’s expertise, they could really get the kind of legislation passed to make the changes they want to make.
https://biden.senate.gov
Of course, the question is – will you want all the changes he proposes?
To see what he proposes, you can read (skim) the text of his speech here (it wasn’t easy to find).
This is going to be an interesting campaign. McCain is going to have a tough fight on his hands. So, if you want McCain to win – get to work! If any candidates emerge from other parties, like the Libertarians or Green party or…their message will have to be quite compelling to overcome the popular support that Barack Obama has generated.
Our Job Advice of the Week suggests that you can’t and shouldn’t do it all! Focus on your own expertise – on the things you do well and love to do.
https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?cat=JobAdviceoftheWeek
Speaking of things you love to do, today’s Money Funny will put all that in perspective as we discuss our longevity with a new doctor.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies
IRS News provides detailed information about that mysterious hobby loss rule. Remember all rules are meant to be broken. And when it comes to breaking the hobby loss rules – TaxMama is THE expert on what it takes to prove you have a business instead of a hobby.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews
TaxQuips this week generated some lively discussion about when a non-relative dependent qualifies as a tax exemption. We also discuss how to convince IRS your employer filed a 1099 when it should have been a W-2; and what to do if your Medicare costs are too high (or explain why they are so high), and then there’s the deck built to accommodate a disabled child and the tax benefits or relief related to the deck.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips
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=945
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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08.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit
09.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit
09.15.2008 Corporate Returns Due- FINAL DEADLINE
09.15.2008 3rd 2008 Estimated Payment – all entities Due
09.30.2008 Last day to establish SIMPLE plans
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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 2008 the year you learn to put use audio and video
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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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SPECIAL DEALS
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Need a Corp, LLC, Registered Agent
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Similar discounts on Registered Agent services.
Call 800.2.INCORP – use coupon code – TAXMAMA – or
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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 summer, 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 :: Will I Live to be 85?
- IRS News :: Hobby Loss Rules
- Job Advice of the Week :: Focus on Your Expertise
-
The 100% Home-Based Business Tax Solution :: The evolving e-book and Tax MiniMiser
- Three Cups of Tea :: With the first cup you are a stranger. The second you are a guest
- Central Asia Institute :: Building schools for girls in the Middle East…and more!
- TaxNerd at CafePress :: 50% of all TaxMama's earnings on sales goes to the Central Asia Institute
- TaxNerd materials you can customize for yourself :: 50% of all TaxMama's earnings on sales goes to the Central Asia Institute
