Ask Taxmama Issue 448 – Happy Leap Year

Happy

Dear Family,

47 days and 16 hours and 20 minutes to go until April 15th.
(Did you see the countdown widget at www.taxmama.com ?)

And today is the filing deadline for a bunch of stuff (that’s
a technical term, you know) – see TaxMama’s Tax Calendar

https://www.taxmama.com/taxcalendar.html

Aaaah, today’s issue is filled with lots of urgent things.

Like Sadie Hawkins Day – (generally in November, but Leap Day

is also a special part of the tradition) where women get to
ask men out – or propose to them. And the men must accept.
(Or did I make up that last part?) Men, watch out for ladies
heading your way!

The State of California made an error in their IRA phase-out

tables for certain filing statuses. Read today’s news flash
from Spidell Publishing with the correct information. This
may result in the need for amended returns – because all the
software companies used the FTB’s tables. Corrections to come.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=749

QuickBooks recently produced some how-to videos you can
use to help you customize your QuickBooks software. They’re
doing their best to take the mystery out of the software.
There is no charge for these tools.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=552

Not everyone is a QuickBooks fan. In fact, I’ve met some
brilliant people (Ph.D.’s even) who simply couldn’t fathom
the program. So, if you want to try out a nifty tool that
automates your billing, tracks your income and helps you get

paid faster, try FreshBooks – https://taxmama.freshbooks.com/signup/
There is no charge for unlimited invoices for up to three clients. And you can use it to track expenses and time that go into making up that invoice. I got and invoice from someone using this service last week and was so intrigued I had to follow up.
https://taxmama.freshbooks.com/signup/

Last week, you got Sally Dalton, EA’s talking points for

families. If you still need it, please use it. Many people have.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=738

Today, we have a passionate, painful plea from a divorced woman facing years of tax debt due to her (ex) husband’s tax activities. If you’re married, or thinking of getting married, read this. And DO THIS!
https://taxquips.com/index.php?id=748

Time to lighten up, I think, with Points to Ponder in 2008,
the topic of this week’s Money Funnies.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

TaxQuips this week provides some terrific links to use for

retirement planning, you’ll learn how far back you can
carry net operating losses, the taxability of other states’
pensions, about taxes on inherited property, and commuting.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips

IRS News includes a copy of the stimulus letter coming

your way. Notes about the stimulus package. And tips on
reporting your child’s investment income. Remember, their
wages and other income is not part of the investment
income reporting.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews

Lots of questions are still coming in on the Stimulus Package.
Yes, if you owe money to IRS, other states, child support, student loans, etc., IRS will grab your rebate and apply it to your debt.

No, there is no special provisions for seniors who file married,

separate returns, just to get the rebate. Simply don’t do it. File a joint return. Get a power of attorney if you need the second signature.

Remember, you can play with the Stimulus Calculator tool on
the www.TaxMama.com home page to see how much you’ll get back.

I have been hearing from a lot of you, and my clients about bizarre employer behavior when it comes to this year’s W-2s. Your employers are including the expenses you submitted on your expense reports in your wages and W-2s. Some are even sending you 1099-MISCs for these expenses. Please read today’s MarketWatch.com TaxWatch article. Then pass it on to your employer if they did this to you.

https://snurl.com/accountable-tax

Remember to spend some time goofing off.
You can play games here, against the computer, other
players, or even invite your friends for a tournament.
https://snurl.com/games-tax

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=708

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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02.29.2008 Mortgage Interest file Form 1098s with IRS

02.29.2008 File W-2’s with Social Security Admin

02.29.2008 File 1099’s with IRS

02.29.2008 File City of L.A. Business License/Tax Form

03.03.2008 Farmers & Fisherman – file and pay taxes due for 2006 and pay all tax due if estimated payments not made on 01.15.2008.

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

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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
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.

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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. Just click on Holiday Mega Deals.

Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized

gifts to your family and friends. You still have time
to get things delivered before Chanukah ends. Really.
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.
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SPECIAL DEALS
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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.

You can get 12 items for $99! That includes the set-up fees.

Can you believe that? Use Coupon Code PC076c
At the Queensboro Shirt Company

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

They do a gorgeous job.