*AskTaxMama Newsletter

Ask TaxMama Issue 458 – Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Posted on by TaxMama

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Dear Family,

I’m grouchy this morning. Do you ever have those days when things just annoy you? Well, this is leftover from yesterday. A client who urgently needs my help to meet an IRS collection deadline promised to call yesterday afternoon. So instead of running out to take care of important tasks, I waited all day – and he didn’t bother to call. Of course, this is after he hasn’t returned 2 or 3 calls this week.

Naturally, this is HIS emergency. It’s HIS assets that will be levied if we do nothing. Why should I care, if he’s so irresponsible? Heck, let it happen. Clearly, he deserves whatever they do to him, doesn’t he?

I keep telling him I won’t work with him anymore. But he sweet-talks me into helping, yet again.

Does this sound familiar to you? A friend of mine once described the way her daughter’s boyfriend was abusing her (emotionally). And I say there and nodded, yes, yes, that’s awful. How dare he treat her that way!

Then I look at some of these people who are always getting into tax trouble, time and time again. And I see the same pattern of abusive behavior towards those who are there to help them.

The broken promises to provide information.
The apologies when the system catches them and they desperately need help to get liens or levies removed from homes or paychecks.
The intensely sincere promises that they will behave and cooperate.
And then, of course, after always needing you to drop what you’re doing to bail them out, yet again – they don’t bother to pay until you are pushed to anger.

How does that translate to some of the frustrating relations you have with your clients, ‘friends’, or family members? Do you recognize this personality?

Do you find yourself getting sucked in to help someone you’d rather avoid? Have you looked at the relationship and recognized that this a powerful form of abuse?
What are you going to do about your relationship?

Me, I think mine is just about to end!

And speaking of annoying, someone else recently told me that she couldn’t pay my bill (outstanding for nearly a year) because her husband has been out of work for months.

a) When you’re in that situation, why don’t you let your creditors know. Perhaps they can set aside your invoice until you get back on your feet. Yes, some will. In fact, they might even help you find work.

b) When you owe debts to a variety of businesses, pay PEOPLE first. The small businessowner has to live on those accounts receivable. It’s a huge hardship to that person when they don’t get paid. I can’t imagine not payng a PERSON who’s done work for me – even if I have to borrow the money. People come first to me. Your credit cards, on the other hand, will accept minimum payments.

c) Cut back on your expenses when you’re out of work. Why are you still spending extravagantly? And if you or your spouse are out of work and at home – replace the gardener, pool guy and other services – and do the work yourself until you get on your feet.

d) Look for a job. We’ve talked about how to do that before.
Use this week’s Job Advice. It’s all about who you know.
https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?cat=JobAdviceoftheWeek

These days, you’re getting messages all the time from people inviting you to join their social or business networks, like
Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Why aren’t you scouring YOUR contacts’ connections for people you’d like to work for? Your friends and contacts probably know someone; and can make an introduction.

Frankly, I know it’s tough when you’re out of work. And after a while, desperation seeps into your soul. Succumb to that depression – and it’s all over. Start using the smarts that made you successful in your earlier positions – and treat your own job search as if it were a project for your employer, or a client, and suddenly, the whole search becomes a lot more

objective. Use your creativity. And resources.

Why aren’t you a member of TheLadders? They don’t charge you a dime just to join. And even if you don’t quite qualify for a $100,000 job, the articles and advice they provide is top rate. It applies to anyone.
https://go.asktaxmama.com/Ladders

Thank you for letting me vent. On to humor!

Today’s Money Funnies has lots of neat stuff for you to try.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

And please, don’t hesitate to send me your humor – as long as it’s text, none of those huge graphics.

What other goodies do we have for you today?

TaxQuips this week provides help for a mom who wants her past-due child support collected; information on how to find out about your IRS balance due; how to find out the withholding on an old paycheck; and how to make the American Dream come true and get down payment assistance (read more in MarketWatch this week)

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

IRS News today is about a Supreme Court decision related

to municipal bond interest – provided by Spidell Inc.
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=847

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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06.16.2008 2nd 2008 Estimated Payment – all entities Due

06.16.2008 Personal Tax Returns Due for US Taxpayers overseas

06.16.2008 or File extensions for US Taxpayers overseas Form 4868

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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 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

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 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.

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.

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.