*AskTaxMama Newsletter

Ask Taxmama Issue 453 – TaxMama issues Economic Idiot Award

Posted on by TaxMama

Happy National Soft Pretzel Month

Dear Family,

The other day, I was researching shipping information and discovered that you could get packing tracking from the US Postal service for nothing – or close to nothing (about 18 cents) if you used their special labels.

Naturally, we ran the numbers – and the 2 labels per page are a bit more expensive than the 6-up labels. But, for about a dime per package you get tracking; you don’t have to stand in line at the Post Office; and with the proof of delivery, you don’t need to pay for Certified Mail, either. And you don’t have to stand in line to fill your postage meter. You can print the labels directly off your own computer. The catch – you have to order them from the USPS – or their related site.

https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-241922-10368604

This has been a busy week for everyone. Though, oddly, IRS’s Tax Tips service seems to be silent this week.
Most of the news and releases I got won’t interest you. Or are you obsessed with getting every bit of Stimulus Rebate news there is. Personally, as with all other rebates we’ve had since President Bush took office, they bore me no end. And everytime I see the costs mounting, I think of all the other useful things that money could be spent on.

Speaking of wasting money. Did you follow the Congressional debates on the foreclosure crisis? What a total disappointment!

Congress nixed the authority for bankruptcy judges to revise interest rates and principal on existing loans – so homeowners could keep their homes; so lenders don’t go
out of business; so investors lose some money – or delay getting paid until the end of the loan – so houses don’t sit empty and attract vandals.

Well, their wisdom has earned TaxMama’s Economic Idiot Award.

https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?id=800

Let’s we, what do we have for you today? Oh, lots of goodies!

Monday’s TaxWatch column on MarketWatch.com will be your April To Dos – things to do before April 15th.

https://www.marketwatch.com/personalfinance/taxes

This week’s Money Funnies will help you with the present gas crisis.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

IRS News includes information about a grants available for low-income tax clinics – in case you want to apply. And links to the latest statistics

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

TaxQuips this week incited discussion about writing off tools, we meet The Gambler, learn about business mileage and writing off your business phone.
https://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips

For those curious about Scott’s problem last week with his IRS notice on the Lump Sum SS Disability benefit – there was indeed an error in the way TurboTax handled the computation (or the questions leading the inputting the information). However, Scott’s so jazzed with Lucie’s help, that he’ll be using TurboTax again next year.

https://www.taxquips.com/index.php?id=783

This week’s Job Advice suggests you keep track of 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=792

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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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

04.15.2008 Personal, Partnership Returns or Extensions are due

04.15.2008 1st 2008 Estimated Payment Due

04.15.2008 Employers Make monthly Payroll tax deposit

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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.

15% Off Your Entire Order ends Sunday, March 23rd, 11:59pm EDT

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.