Ask TaxMama Issue 498 – American Celebrities


Happy National Soft Pretzel Month

Dear Family,

Well, it’s National Soft Pretzel Month. For those of you who love those big, yeasty pretzels you get at the movies or Annies, here’s a recipe so you can make your own at home. Doctor them up anyway you like. Just click on the picture of the pretzel, above.

Of course, if you’re just about finished cleaning the house for Passover…this is not the time to bring in all this chometz. Wait until after the holiday. People celebrating Palm Sunday and Easter, coming up next week, will have no such taboos.

Hey, did you see what a huge hit Michelle Obama has been making overseas? Children love her. Adults gravtitate towards her. Whew, who expected our own Obamas to be celebrities overseas? She hugged the QUEEN? Wow – breaking centuries of protocol of never even touching Her Majesty. Heck, it’s something I would do without even thinking. Seems the Brits approve!

And just wait, President Obama has had such an impact on the Japanese, that pretty soon you’ll be hearing young Japanese speaking English just like Barack. Students are learning English using President Obama’s speeches. Get this, the English-language textbook, ‘The Speeches of Barack Obama’ has sold more than 400,000 copies in two months!

Speaking of foreigners…many live and work here in the U.S.A. So…Homeland Security has a new employment form for them to fill out. Barbara Weltman’s Idea of the Day tells us that today you need to have all your employees fill out the new I-9 form and provide updated identification. You’ll be able to pick up the form from her site.
Idea of the Day

Back to work, now. What do we have for you today?

First of all, please remember to sign up for CSEA’s DigiTAX courses.

I will be teaching two of them. Other wonderful people will teach several other subjects.
May 13, 09 – 11:00 am – CSEA – Audio Tax – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the EA Exam

Aug 5, 09 – 11:00 am – CSEA – Audio Tax – Hobby Loss Rules and how to Overcome Them

Incidentally, if you’ve seen the rate of increase in IRS audits of small businesses, you’ll understand why the Hobby Loss course is essential to you or to tax pros with small business clients.

Tune in to today’s interview on Jim Blasingame’s radio show (you can listen to the recording in the archives, or archives, or replay.

We’ll be talking about this week’s Congressional hearings with IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman about small business audits.
You can watch the details of the Congressional Hearings, if you like. Commissioner Shulman is quite articulate and clear. You’re going to like him and his practical attitude.

TaxMama®’s MarketWatch.com article this week deals with the April To Do’s. Routine stuff, always with a few twists. The article will be up this weekend. Read all the other tax news fit to print.
https://www.marketwatch.com/personalfinance/taxes or https://topics.marketwatch.com/Eva_Rosenberg

This week’s AccountingWeb.com blog is an April Fool’s prank. But, most of the information in the article IS valid and useful with respect to the reporting of Social Security Disability Income.

Also read about Robert Redford’s Sense of Order.

Today’s IRS News explains provides additional time for disaster victims in Minnesota and North Dakota. We also learn about the special deduction for new car buyers in 2009. Good even if you don’t itemize!
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews

Today’s Money Funny is about the half-wit worker who is dumb enough to for about $10 a week. Wouldn’t you like someone like this?

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

In TaxQuips this week, we learn how to make hay while the sun shines; whether a lost $8,000 deposit on a home is deductible, and how; if you can buy a home now and move in it much later and still get the first-time homebuyers credit; and whether getting Social Security income will make her tax-free disability income taxable.
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=1182

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

www.taxnerd.net
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TAX CALENDAR 2009
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04.15.2009 Personal, Partnership Returns or Extensions are due
Use coupon code taxmama25 for 25% discount on your extension.
04.15.2009 1st 2009 Estimated Payment Due

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SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
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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.

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Is 2009 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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Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized

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

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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.