*AskTaxMama Newsletter

Ask Taxmama Issue 455 – Puzzling Times

Posted on by TaxMama

1924 1st crossword puzzle book published by Simon & Schuster

Dear Family,

Today is the anniversary of the first crossword puzzle book.
The first published instance of a crossword puzzle was back in
1913, created by Arthur Wynne for the New York World.
The first book was published by Simon and Schuster, 84 years
ago, at the behest of Richard Simon’s aunt. Naturally, the first

print run sold out in the blink of an eye. And they still do.
Crossword Puzzle History

We love puzzles. Though, these days, they are often in the
form of television game shows, contests and quizzes.

In honor of puzzles, I’ve put one together for you.
Here’s a quiz to test your Tax IQ. Are you a Tax Nerd or a Tax Twit?

Tune in next week to MarketWatch.com for their April 24-25th Job Fair issue. In addition to all the goodies there, you’ll also find a really helpful TaxMama article on what do if you suddenly find yourself unemployed.

MarketWatch.com

You’ll also find an article about addressing your financial fears.

Speaking of financial fears, here’s a terrifying story in Oregon. Entire bodies of local governments are resigning and walking away from their jobs, en mass – mayors, planning commissioners and so forth. Why? Oregon passed new, all encompassing ethics laws for government officials, from the most minor, all the way up to the governor. They don’t just want financial disclosure, they want the names of all your relatives – and more. Ugly stuff. Yes, I can see the fury about nepotism, past and future. But, hey, in a lot of small towns, these positions are largely volunteer, with little or no compensation. Who needs that kind of intrusion? They don’t. Some towns have come to a standstill. Read on.

Public Servants Quit Rather Than Disclose Finances

But, I don’t want to bring you down. So let’s look at
some fun and creative tax professionals, I’ve heard

about lately.

Meet Carmine Sodora, a 28-year old CPA – founder of
Tavern Tax – get your taxes done in a tavern over a beer.

Mark and Alyssa Fox who run an art gallery – and a tax service for artists. (Reeeeeeaaaally slow site)

Have you seen Steven Zelin, the Singing CPA? He’s got an album of amusing tax songs – and just hit the WSJ and night time talk shows this week.

www.theSingingCPA.com

Remember Alan Glasser, the Singing Judge, of
MondoFax.com who provides us with our Moolah Hula

And of course, though she doesn’t sing, there’s Kay Bell,
who has the most visually interesting tax new site around.
Don’t Mess With Taxes

For small business, in general, have you seen SBTV?
https://www.sbtv.com – a resource not to be missed!

What kind of goodies do WE have for you today?

Well, this week’s Money Funnies is all about Truth – in
all its forms – good, bad and hilarious – from the viewpoint
of some of the greatest minds in the world.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

IRS News is a compendium of tax legislation activities
last week compiled by the good folks at NAEA
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=IRSNews

TaxQuips this week teaches you about extensions – but
who cares, now that the deadline is past? You also get
some great ideas on how to have the time of your life –
without spending your life’s savings. You learn how to

have your family chip in, without generating taxable
income – and how to take advantage of married filing
separately.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips

This week’s Job Advice suggests something quite
subtly clever. That you optimize your online identity.
https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?cat=JobAdviceoftheWeek

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=812

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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04.30.2008 Quarterly Payroll Taxes Due

04.30.2008 Quarterly Sales Taxes Due

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 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.

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*

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.
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.